"The primary objective of this research is to optimize the cable shovel excavation process in the Athabasca oil sands formation by minimizing the energy consumption. The elements of this primary objective include: (i) modeling and analyzing the dynamic resistant forces; (ii) optimizing the shovel excavation process; (iii) establishing the critical formation resistance to excavation; and (iv) providing a basis for the ICSE technology for oil sands excavation. A cable shovel excavates material in a vertical plane, swings in a horizontal plane and completes a translational motion to move the shovel from one location to another. The shovel dipper-teeth assembly interacts with the formation only during the digging motion. consequently, this research focuses only on excavation (digging motion). Also, the research is concerned with developing mathematical models to describe the digging process. No field experimental work have been carried out. Instead, the reported results of other investigators are used to validate the models. This is to ensure that adequate attention was given to the theory of the soil excavation process and the correlation of the resistance forces with the formation characteristics. In order to achieve this, this work includes the (o) formulation of kinematics and dynamic models of the cable shovel excavation process; (ii) design of a comprehensive simulation experimentation program; and (iii) engineering analysis of the simulation results"--Introduction, leaves 6-7.