FLSmidth has received an order worth around $31 million from Rosemont Copper for the supply of 14, heavy duty, 2 x 2 m automated filter presses, which, when installed, will be the largest in the world. They are part of the company’s planned copper concentrator in Arizona, USA.  The filter presses will dewater all the tailings produced from processing 68,000 t/d of ore through the concentrator to an optimal 16% moisture, maximising the recovery of water for re-use in the process.

The remaining cake can be dry stacked, which is an integral part of the progressive tailings disposal and reclamation program being conducted by Rosemont Copper. This eliminates the need for tailings ponds and promotes ongoing reclamation and revegetation of the surrounding landscape.

Using the latest mining technologies, Rosemont Copper will set a standard for sustainable practices, including reclaiming the site as permanent open space by revegetating throughout the life of the mine. Rosemont says the mine will use less than half the water of traditional mines. FLSmidth’s Salt Lake City office is executing the order with project completion by March 2012.