Outotec and Rich Metals Group Copper (RMGC) have signed a contract for the delivery of minerals processing technology and equipment to modernise the Madneuli copper concentrator in southern Georgia.

The contract is valued at around €10 million ($11.2 million) is booked in Outotec’s 2019 December quarter order intake.

Outotec’s scope of delivery includes a tertiary ball mill, Outotec® HIGmill® high intensity grinding mill, flotation cells, a complete process control system as well as a pressure filter and a high rate thickener. The deliveries will follow completion of basic engineering for the project, which is currently ongoing. RMGC is expected to take delivery of the products in the second half of 2020.

Outotec says it has been involved in the modernisation project from the early stages to support in process design to improve the efficiency and value of production. Extensive test work, along with the chemical and mineralogical characterisation of different ore samples, were carried out at the laboratories of Outotec Research Centre in Pori, Finland.

The Madneuli mine has produced around 85 Mt of copper- and gold-bearing ores, at a reported grade of 1 g/t Au and 1% Cu, over a period of 30 years, according to RMGC.

“We are happy to support RMGC’s target to improve the performance of their operations. Outotec’s process technology and proprietary equipment will assure sustainable beneficiation of the complex orebodies RMGC is processing,” Kimmo Kontola, Head of Outotec’s Minerals Processing business, said.