Metso’s March quarter results were bolstered by a rise in orders, sales and profit margin in the Minerals division, the company reported today.

Metso posted an operating profit of €100 million ($111 million) for the first three months of the year, up from €80 million a year earlier, with orders received increasing 18% year-on-year to €1.01 billion and sales growing 17% year-on-year to €836 million. Earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) rose from €85 million, or 11.9% of sales, to €104 million, or 12.4% of sales, the company said.

The Minerals division was a big contributor in the quarter, with orders received at €823 million (up from €688 million), sales at €681 million (up from €584 million) and EBITA margin at 12.4% (11.9% previously).

The company noted the strongest growth within the division was from the equipment side, highlighting the second order booked for Albemarle’s new lithium project in Australia as a standout win.

Metso said in its announcement that market activity in both its Minerals and Flow Control segments was expected to remain at the current high level in both the equipment and services business.

Meanwhile, President and CEO Pekka Vauramo, said the group’s results were “strong”, with high growth and improved profitability.

“Our order intake was up 18% year-on-year and the growth was broad-based in both equipment and in services. Together with the healthy order growth of last year this has resulted in a solid order backlog, which we continue to deliver with better efficiency,” he said.

“The mining equipment market looks somewhat stronger compared to the other markets we serve, thanks to the mining customers’ plans to improve productivity and add capacity.”