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 operation for the $1.5 million shovel at the local mining site.

The electrical 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 which has been taken out of service for repairs.’

It took nine railroad cars to ship the shovel and component parts here before it was prepared for operation under work directed by George McIntyre, maintenance supervisor for Bethlehem Mines.