5 Reasons a Certified MEWP Can Make a Difference on Your Mine Site
A question I’m often asked by customers is: How much difference does a purpose-built certified Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) really make on a mine site compared to using a wheel loader/integrated tool carrier (ITC) or a telehandler?
The short answer: quite a lot, especially when it comes to safety, compliance, and productivity during underground maintenance and construction work.
While some operations use a basket or work platform attachment on a wheel loader to perform elevated tasks such as installing mine services or ground support, these machines were never designed to lift personnel. Although this approach may appear versatile, it can introduce safety risks and operational limitations.
That’s why purpose-built, factory-certified MEWPs play such an important role in underground mining operations.
The latest addition to MacLean’s MEWP product line, the ML5 Multi-Lift, was developed specifically for these demanding environments. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, it delivers several practical benefits that can improve both safety and efficiency on site.
Here are five key reasons why using a dedicated MEWP can make a meaningful difference underground.
1. Compliance and Safety
Working at height underground requires equipment specifically engineered for lifting personnel.
A dedicated MEWP is designed with the proper weight distribution, stability systems, and safety controls required for elevated work. This ensures the crew can perform tasks safely and confidently.
MacLean advantage:
The ML5 Multi-Lift MEWP is certified to Australian, ISO, and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards and is purpose-built to support underground tasks such as maintenance, inspections, installations, and repairs in elevated or hard-to-reach locations.
2. Reduced Crew Size and Improved Productivity
Traditional setups often require multiple people and machines to complete elevated work safely.
With in-basket controls, operators can manage positioning and functions directly from the work platform, eliminating the need for constant communication with an operator in the cab.
MacLean advantage:
The ML5 includes:
- In-basket controls for direct platform operation
- A two-person cab, reducing the need for an additional support vehicle
- Remote Drive System (RDS), allowing the operator to reposition the machine directly from the basket
Together, these features help reduce fleet size, streamline operations, and improve productivity.
3. Better Face Coverage
Operating directly from the basket is the standard approach for MEWPs because it provides the operator with the best vantage point when positioning the platform near the mine face or roof.
This visibility allows crews to work more precisely while maintaining safe clearance from surrounding hazards.
MacLean advantage:
The ML5 features boom slew of ±30 degrees, allowing operators to achieve full face coverage without moving the entire machine chassis. This saves time and improves efficiency during installation and maintenance work.
4. Versatility for Multiple Applications
Modern underground operations demand equipment that can support a wide range of tasks.
MEWPs are highly versatile machines that can be adapted for different applications—from routine maintenance to specialized production work.
MacLean advantage:
The ML5 is designed with flexibility in mind, featuring:
- A quick coupler for fast attachment changes
- Third and fourth hydraulic functions
- Dedicated baskets for different applications
This allows mines to perform multiple tasks with a single machine, reducing the need for multiple dedicated units.
5. Diesel or Electric Options for Any Mine Environment
Every mine site has unique infrastructure and operational requirements.
Some locations still rely on diesel equipment due to limited power grid access, while others are transitioning toward battery-electric equipment to reduce emissions and ventilation costs.
MacLean advantage:
The ML5 Multi-Lift is available in both diesel and battery-electric (EV) variants.
Electric MEWPs offer several benefits underground:
- Zero diesel emissions
- Reduced heat and noise
- Improved working conditions for crews
- Lower ventilation requirements and operating costs
The ML5 EV also features both onboard and offboard charging, helping minimize downtime associated with battery charging or swapping.
Purpose-Built for Safer, More Productive Underground Work
At MacLean, we’ve carefully studied the operational challenges of underground mining when designing the ML5 Multi-Lift. The result is a machine built to deliver high levels of safety, compliance, and productivity for modern mine sites.
The ML5 has quickly gained strong traction in the industry and is now sold across MacLean’s major global markets — Canada, Australia, Mexico, and soon to be in Africa. This growing global demand reflects the increasing need for dedicated, certified MEWP solutions that improve both safety and efficiency in underground operations.
If you’d like to see the machine in action, check out the ML5 video, or reach out to our team to learn more – info@macleanengineering.com
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About the Author
Bryson Lehman
Product Manager – Utility Vehicles
Bryson joined MacLean early in his career as a Junior Product Manager and has steadily built his expertise by working closely with mining customers around the world. Through hands-on collaboration with operators and site teams, he has helped shape equipment solutions that address real underground challenges.
Today, Bryson leads product management for MacLean’s Utility Vehicle product suite, focusing on developing equipment that improves safety, efficiency, and reliability in underground mining operations.
