Metso’s revolutionary Poly-Met shell lining concept Megaliner^(TM)  is now available for SAG mills, in addition to the other large-scale mills already served by the product. The patented system has proven to reduce lining change out time by 30% to 40%, the company reports. “With the launch of the Megaliner for SAG mills, Metso can now supply this liner system to all large-scale mill applications that use modern seven- and eight-axis liner handlers,” says Tage Möller, Vice President of Mill Lining Solutions, Metso Mining and Construction. “This is another step forward in improving safety for our customers while also maximising uptime.”

SAG mills are the mill of choice for most major mining operations. They are some of the largest mills around – and are constantly getting bigger with the largest ones presently having a diameter of 42′ with 28 MW installed power. Their size and power is the reason they are the mill of choice for first-stage hard-rock grinding, and where the construction of the lining is also a crucial element in protecting the mill from high wear. SAG mill linings require frequent maintenance, so it is critical that liners can be replaced with a minimum amount of downtime.

Megaliner’s attachment system means that changes are fast and fluid. The Megaliner bolts are inserted and removed from outside the mill, which also greatly improves safety; workers do not need to stand in the drop-zone of the suspended liners. It is made from a rubber/metal composite that weighs between 30% and 60% less than metallic liners of a similar size. This means that more value-added grinding media can be carried, improving the mill’s functionality.

In addition to the Megaliner for SAG mills, Metso is also launching a completely new concept, the patented Liner Positioning System. It says “this is the first such tool of its kind, comprising a system that allows the liner handler operator to position the liner using cameras to view operations remotely. The new technology gives the liner handler operator full control of the process. This product is unique to Metso and only available to customers of its lining products.”

“The Liner Positioning System has been developed to give the liner handler operator better visibility and control when installing Metso liners,” notes Tage Möller. “This system offers higher levels of safety for installation crews while also improving the efficiency of operations by increasing mill availability.”