The Panther Valley Division of the Bethlehem Mines Corporation announced today a Marion 191-M shovel has been placed into service at the anthracite coal operation in Tamaqua. Tuesday marked the first day of operations for the $1.5 million shovel at the mine site.

The electric shovel, with an 11-yard bucket assembly, will be working in a large pit east of Tamaqua known as Job No. 111 and replaces another shovel of a 9-yard capacity bucket which was taken out of service for repairs.

The shovel was transferred from the company’s Marmorafon Mine Company, an iron ore mine at Marmora, Ontario, Canada, where it has been in operation since late 1965.