FLSmidth says it recently installed the world’s largest vertical steel-media tower mill with dual-duty throughput for a North American tier-1 gold miner’s operation in the Dominican Republic. The FTM-4500 (FLSmidth Tower Mill) was delivered in under 14 months from receipt of the order in Q3 2020. The 4,500-horsepower agitated steel-media mill has now been fully installed on site, and FLSmidth says gaining praise from both the mine operator and site contractors for its trouble-free and rapid installation.

The FTM-4500 is the world’s largest vertical steel-media mill and pairs Variable Speed Drive technology and a premium efficiency TEAAC motor from ABB to drive two different mill throughputs. At full production capacity, the miner utilises the FTM-4500 for fine grinding over 500 metric tons per hour. When operations occasionally need to lower production, the FTM’s VFD allows adjustment to the agitator screw’s speed which, in combination with reduced media charge, results in up to 45% reduction in mill throughput.

The statement said: “Born out of our six-year partnership with a long-standing Asian market leader in mining and aggregates equipment, the FTM merges proven robust mill geometry with premium western drive components. It comes with full digital monitoring of critical components and operating parameters. Vertical tower mills have been proven to reduce energy consumption in tertiary grinding by up to 50% when compared with traditional horizontal ball mills, making the FTM a cornerstone of FLSmidth’s MissionZero product expansion.”

This FTM-4500 installation expands FLSmidth’s tower mill references into North America, well beyond several proven installations in Asia, where 500-hp and 1,500-hp mills are in operation. Standard FTM sizes include the 1000-hp, 3500-hp, and soon a 6,700-hp version.