A mining shovel includes a base, a revolving frame coupled to the base and rotatable about an axis, a boom pivotally coupled to the revolving frame, a handle coupled to the boom, and a dipper coupled to the handle. The dipper has a dipper door, and is located at a front end of the shovel. A counterweight having a center of gravity is disposed at the rear end of the shovel to balance the shovel, and is supported by a truss structure that is coupled to the revolving frame, such that the center of gravity is disposed above the revolving frame.