TAIYUAN -- A heavy-duty machinery manufacturer in North China's Shanxi province has exported its heavy-duty excavators to South Africa, according to the company.

Cao Keshun, a spokesman for the Taiyuan Heavy Machinery Group Co (TZ) Ltd, said the company sold two WK-55 excavators to South Africa. TZ previously exported the same type of excavator to Chile in 2011.

"This type of excavator can be used in all kinds of mining environments. The product has great export potential," Cao said.

Founded in 1950, TZ was the first independent heavy-duty machinery manufacturing firm to be established in China. Its products have been exported to countries around the world.