Sandvik Mining and Construction has reached agreement with Boliden to supply a complete in-pit crushing system to its Aitik copper-gold-silver mine. The crushing system consists of two complete primary gyratory crushing stations as well as overland conveyors and feeders. The system will have a capacity of 8,000 t/h and will transport the ore 7 km. The new crushing and conveying system is scheduled to be put into operation in early 2010. The value of the equipment order is some €86.5 million. Sandvik’s order includes engineering and erection as well as start-up services.

Boliden’s decision to invest in a conveying system reduces the use of truck haulage. The conveyor system will provide higher availability, considerably lower running cost and be more environmentally friendly than trucks, Sandvik reports. With the new system, Aitik will be able to double its annual production of ore from 18 to 36 Mt.

“For Sandvik, the order is of strategic importance since it is our largest complete in-pit crushing system and demonstrates Sandvik’s capabilities as a major supplier to support the open-pit mining process”, says Lars Josefsson, President of Sandvik Mining and Construction.