Tag Archives: Metso

Metso SAG, ball mills arrive at Almonty Industries’ Sangdong tungsten mine

Comminution of minerals, Energy minerals, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , ,

Almonty Industries Inc has announced a significant milestone in the development of its Sangdong tungsten mine and processing plant, in South Korea, with the arrival and installation of grinding equipment from Metso Corporation.

This development brings the Sangdong project one step closer to full operations, marking a pivotal moment in the effort to supply a new source of tungsten from outside of China, it says.

Sandong has reserves of 7.9 Mt at an average grade of 0.47% WO3 for 37,111 t of contained WO3.

The installation of Metso’s SAG mill and ball mill is critical to enabling efficient and precise processing of tungsten ore. Metso will manage every stage of the ball mill installation, including site preparation, equipment assembly, precise alignment and commissioning. Furthermore, Metso emphasised the critical importance of aligning the machinery to exacting tolerances, limiting deviations to just 0.008 mm/m. This precision ensures maximum operational stability and extends the equipment’s longevity.

Almonty’s Chairman, President and CEO, Lewis Black, said: “We sincerely appreciate Metso and its specialised professionals for their dedicated effort and hard work in delivering this significant engineering output, applying their paralleled experience and expertise in the mining industry to develop the most optimal design criteria for the equipment and processing at the Sangdong plant.”

Metso launches renewed Metso Plus concept focused on customer benefits

Environmental, Equipment maintenance, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , ,

To comply with the proposed changing EU legislation and to emphasise Metso’s focus on supporting customers with key challenges, Metso is renaming its Planet Positive offering to Metso Plus.

In 2021, Metso launched its Planet Positive approach as a concrete answer to tackling the sustainability challenges of its customer industries. Ever since, the products and services included in Metso’s sustainable portfolio have been important to differentiate the company.

To date, Metso has over 100 products in its portfolio of sustainable products. These products are demonstrably more energy or water efficient than the industry benchmark or Metso’s previous generation products. They provide added benefits to the customers, helping them cut their CO2 emissions, reduce pollution to land, air and soil, increase circularity and safety, and improve productivity, Metso says.

On top of the name change, the former Planet Positive label will change and have a new design.

Marius Verwoerd, Head of Metso’s Sustainability, said: “Our focus is on driving the development of more sustainable solutions together with our customers. We believe that we can enable the biggest positive change by supporting them in their sustainability ambitions while driving the industry towards more sustainable practices.”

Metso Plus builds on the company’s extensive expertise and the reliability of its products and services supporting customers from pit to port, it says. The offering marks Metso’s commitment to go beyond and exceed expectations – by continuously enhancing technologies and providing additional sustainability benefits for both customers and the environment. Metso’s R&D initiatives aim at expanding this portfolio.

The Metso Plus portfolio of equipment, parts and expert services has been designed to deliver more performance to where it’s most needed.

Metso brings modularity to Concorde Cell flotation setup

Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, , ,

Metso is expanding its flotation portfolio with modular Concorde Cell™ Plant Units, a solution consisting of prefabricated and pre-installed containerised units, which, the company says, streamlines the setup process and minimises on-site installation work.

Deployment is safe and rapid, resulting in faster return on investment, Metso adds.

Tatu Miettinen, Product Manager, Flotation and Thickening at Metso, said: “Concorde Cell Plant Units feature a complete sampling and automation portfolio, along with a modular basic design that conveniently accommodates add-ins. This flexibility allows for tailored solutions that meet the diverse needs of our end customers and EPCMs alike.”

Metso launched the Concorde Cell flotation technology for efficient fine and ultra-fine particle recovery for complex orebodies in 2021. This innovative and sustainable technology has set a new benchmark in high-intensity pneumatic flotation, Metso says, reducing plant operating costs and contributing to operational sustainability through minimised energy and water consumption per tonne of metal produced.

The now introduced Concorde Cell Plant Units offer a comprehensive solution encompassing test work and the complete plant unit as well as maintenance and service. The compact unit design integrates pre-designed components, such as connecting launders, pipes and pump sumps, to ensure a seamless operation and enables reduced footprint and lower plant height, which facilitates easier integration into existing facilities.

With this new approach, a shorter order-to-operation timeline can be achieved, allowing for more workshop hours and less site work and ultimately leading to a quicker return on investment, the company says.

Metso LT300HP mobile cone crusher hits new milestone for Danoher Group

Comminution of minerals, Mining equipment, , , , , , ,

A Metso LT300HP mobile cone crusher owned and operated by Danoher Group, a leading mining contractor in southern Africa, has clocked more than 30,000 hours and counting.

Acquired in 2012, the Metso LT300HP mobile cone crusher is currently deployed at a job in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, where Danoher Group is contracted to produce 350,000 tonnes of road stone.

Previously, the machine has been deployed on some flagship projects in South Africa and Botswana. In the past 12 years, the machine has been in Botswana on four occasions, where it executed some major projects at flagship mines such as Debswana’s Orapa diamond mine and Khoemacau, a long-life copper-silver mine located on the Kalahari Copper Belt. In addition, it has also been deployed at Danoher’s own Kgale Quarry in Gaborone.

With just over 30,000 hours on the clock, the machine is one of the several Metso units in Danoher’s crushing and screening fleet with such a long lifespan. In fact, says CEO Scott Danoher, the company has neither retired nor scrapped a single unit in the past 15 years, shining the spotlight on its drive to achieve extended operational lifecycles out of its capital assets and a testament to the quality of the Metso products.

Danoher Group places value on several factors when investing in capital equipment, such as standardisation of equipment and relationships with suppliers. However, one of the principle factors that informs the company’s buying decisions is equipment longevity. While there are various elements that influence longevity, Danoher stresses that the fundamental ‘raw material’ is the design of the machine, which is why the company trusts Metso for its comminution equipment needs.

“We do not necessarily buy a crusher or a screen, for example, for whatever amount, we buy the number of hours that the machine gives us,” Danoher says. “For us, it is also not about the price tag, it is more about the cost per tonne or cost per hour – ‘cradle to grave’, which is a totally different approach. We are prepared to pay a premium upfront in exchange for, say, 30,000 trouble-free hours out of our crushing equipment.”

By sticking to a trusted brand like Metso and Pilot Crushtec as well as implementing proactive maintenance strategies, Danoher Group not only extends the operational lifespan of its capital assets, but also optimises equipment performance, minimises downtime and reduces costs to ensure smooth and efficient operations, it says.

“Proper maintenance and care throughout the lifespan of equipment significantly contribute to its longevity,” Danoher says. “To get the best out of our maintenance efforts, we largely use Metso OEM parts and spares from Pilot Crushtec International.”

Over the years, Danoher Group and Pilot Crushtec, the Metso dealer in southern Africa, have built a strong working relationship.

“Relationships play a crucial role in what we buy. For us, Pilot Crushtec are more than just suppliers: they have become trusted business partners,” Danoher concludes.

Metso to deliver Peracidox scrubbers to Hindustan Zinc sulphuric acid plants

Base metals, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , ,

Metso is to deliver four Peracidox™ scrubbers to Hindustan Zinc to minimise sulphur dioxide emissions at its plants in India. The scrubbers will be installed at the sulphuric acid plants at the company’s zinc smelters in Chanderiya and Debari.

“Metso has delivered numerous Peracidox scrubbers around the world. The ones to be delivered to Hindustan Zinc have been customised for the Indian market to comply with the stringent local environmental regulations and to meet the needs of the Indian customers,” Hannes Storch, Vice President, Metals and Chemical Processing at Metso, said.

Metso’s Peracidox scrubber efficiently reduces the residual SO₂ of tail gases, minimising emissions. The solution, an oxidative removal process, features high removal efficiency and ease of control with minimised mechanical equipment. It can be installed as part of a new plant or in existing ones.

The Peracidox scrubber can be used, for example, to reduce SO₂ emissions downstream in existing sulphuric acid plants.

Metso adds to Planet Positive Sense series of intelligent instruments

Automation, Base metals, IoT, Mining services, , ,

Metso is launching CathodeSense+ for, it says, fast and accurate quality analysis for high-capacity throughput, ensuring reliable results for all cathode stripping machines.

Developed for high-speed cathode stripping machines, Metso CathodeSense+ is a reliable free-standing system for the detection of nodules. Thanks to its advanced features, CathodeSense+ provides a full high-resolution 3D-scan, thus enabling higher cathode quality control, according to Metso.

Henrik Jönsson, Automation Engineer, Hydrometallurgy at Metso, said: “The new CathodeSense+ is an improved and more robust version of its predecessor. It features user-friendly interfaces to enhance the overall experience while providing accurate quality analysis. In addition, its modular design and small installation footprint makes it easy to implement in both brownfield and greenfield environments.”

CathodeSense+ enables simple interfacing with different control systems and requires no calibration, further simplifying its use. Quality analysis is delivered in less than 0.5 seconds with the capability of handling high-capacity throughput with up to 600 cathodes processed per hour.

With a digital innovation track record spanning more than 50 years, Metso’s intelligent instruments portfolio enables industry-leading process optimisation, the OEM says. CathodeSense+ is part of Metso’s Planet Positive Sense series of intelligent instruments covering the entire minerals process and helping customers to optimise their process performance and minimise their operating costs.

Metso to deliver replacement railcar dumper to mining customer

Mining equipment, Mining services, , ,

Metso has been awarded an order to deliver a replacement railcar dumper to a mining customer in Asia Pacific. Metso’s scope of delivery includes a new fully assembled dumper cage with major upgrades to improve efficiency and reduce spillage by allowing for higher throughput capacity and enhanced maintainability.

The order value is approximately €10 million ($10.8 million) and it is booked in the Minerals segment’s September quarter 2024 order received.

“We are very pleased with our customer’s trust in choosing Metso to upgrade their railcar dumper with our latest technology,” Stuart Sneyd, President, Asia Pacific says. “For many years we have worked closely with our customer in supporting them to maintain their railcar handling system.”

Sushanta Dutta, Vice President, Bulk Material Handling, says: “By choosing Metso, customers will benefit from advanced capabilities, reduced environmental impact and enhanced safety. By leveraging Metso’s expertise and proven track record in railcar handling and automation solutions, customers can swiftly automate their material handling processes, thereby strengthening their operations sustainably.”

Metso says it has a rich history in railcar dumpers, its equipment has been a global benchmark in dumper design since the early 1900s. With the use of advanced engineering tools, the company ensures accurate and high-quality manufacturing that meets Metso’s strict quality standards and tolerances.

Sami Takaluoma to take reins at Metso as Pekka Vauramo steps down

Mineral processing, Mining people, Mining services, , , ,

Metso’s Board of Directors has appointed Sami Takaluoma as Metso’s new President and CEO. He will assume his duties on November 1, 2024, replacing current President and CEO, Pekka Vauramo.

Vauramo will continue with the company as per his contract until the end of 2024, ensuring a smooth transition of responsibilities.

Takaluoma has been with Metso since 1997 and has led Metso’s Services business area since 2021. He has been a member of Metso’s leadership team since 2017.

Kari Stadigh, Chair of Metso’s Board of Directors, on behalf of the board, emphasised Sami Takaluoma’s extensive experience with Metso’s businesses and customer industries in their selection. “Sami has done an excellent job in leading the businesses and as a member of the leadership team over the past seven years,” Stadigh says. “Under his leadership, Metso’s services and consumables businesses have grown and created significant value, especially after the merger of Metso and Outotec. The Board is convinced that Sami is the right choice to lead Metso into its next phase.”

Stadigh continued: “On behalf of the entire board, I would also like to extend our thanks to Pekka Vauramo, who is now stepping down from his role as President and CEO of Metso as earlier agreed. Under Pekka’s leadership, Metso has evolved into an even stronger company, with a significantly enhanced culture and improved customer satisfaction, and its profitability has been clearly raised to a new level. We wish Pekka all the best and success in his new phase of life.”

Takaluoma says: “I would like to warmly thank the board for the opportunity to lead this great company. Having had the privilege of working for Metso for 27 years, I can confidently say that I know the company and understand our potential. With Metso’s long history and strong foundation in the aggregates and mining markets, we are excellently positioned to achieve industry leadership. I eagerly anticipate embarking on this journey to deliver even greater value to our customers and stakeholders, alongside my talented and dedicated colleagues.”

Vauramo added: “I want to thank all my colleagues and Metso’s board for the past six years. We have achieved a lot, and the company is in a strong position to succeed in the future. I wish Sami and all Metsonites best of luck and continued success for the years ahead.”

‘Circularity in action’: the Metso mill liner recycling offering

Comminution of minerals, Environmental, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , ,

The idea of mill liner recycling is nothing new for Metso, with the first feasibility studies examining its potential conducted 15 years ago. Just ahead of MINExpo 2024, Metso announced that it is now expanding the offering to the North American market, with the company continuing to view the offering as a key contributor to making mining more sustainable, IM learned.

“The recycling program was initiated in 2015, achieving an important milestone of 1,000 recycled Megaliner™ liners in 2016,” Lars Furtenbach, Director, Research & Technology Development, Mill Lining, told IM last month in Las Vegas. “Back then, the machine we initially designed was not as flexible as the one we use now. This meant our global expansion had to be very deliberate to ensure we could offer the best services possible to as many customers as possible.”

Following studies and customer pilots, Metso launched a new liner separation unit in 2022 for its customers in Europe. In May 2024, the services were expanded to customers in South America – where the company now has two separation machines. Additionally, as mentioned, North America has just been added to this global roster.

The recycling service is facilitated by an innovative technology that enables safe and efficient separation of different rubber and metal liner components, like cast inserts, wear plates and backing plates. Composite liners, like Megaliner™ and Poly-Met™ liners, as well as rubber liners, can be processed using this solution. Metso also has an existing recycling process for metallic mill liners.

“One good example is the Megaliner where this service offering means that recovered backing plates, which are certified for reuse, can be returned to the same customer as part of new Megaliner liners,” he says.

“This is real circularity in action.”

Indeed, Metso says the recycling service is a concrete example of how it can drive the mining industry towards more sustainable practices and a circular economy. “With less unprocessed waste material sent to landfills, recycling helps to reduce CO2 emissions and improve environmental efficiency,” the company explains.

It is also “tightly linked” with ongoing product development, Furtenbach says, singling out Skega™ Life mill lining rubber as an example.

Introduced in November 2023, Skega Life offers up to 25% longer wear life compared with the predecessor premium rubber, Skega Classic. It was developed in Metso’s own laboratory and validated by field studies, also being part of Metso’s Planet Positive offering.

Furtenbach expects the mill lining recycling service to grow in terms of production and product offering, saying Metso’s existing capacity has significantly increased with the current expansion into three regions.

“This is all part of Metso’s plan to do what is needed to make the industry more sustainable,” he concluded.

Metso MX wear parts offering heads to large cone crushers

Comminution of minerals, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , , , ,

Metso has announced the commercial availability of MX for cones, designed to maximise wear parts lifetime in secondary cone crushing applications for mining and quarry operators worldwide.

The Metso-developed inserting technology under this offering helps maintain the optimal wear profile for longer by ensuring better liner use when compared with standard manganese liners, Metso claims. MX for cones can provide up to double wear life in secondary crushing applications.

Less change-outs help mitigate maintenance labour shortages and risk exposure to personnel. Increased wear life also results in fewer liners needed and produced, providing sustainability benefits throughout the supply chain. MX for cones is 100% recyclable.

Rafael Yanata, Product Manager, Mining Crushing Solutions, said: “MX for cones represents another step forward in the MX offering, addressing customer demand for hard-wearing solutions to reduce frequent parts change-outs. This technology particularly meets the needs of large cone crushers from the Nordberg® HP Series™ and MP Series™.”

Jarkko Leppänen, Vice President, Mining Crusher Wears, added: “As experts in crusher wears, Metso is committed to continuous development in crusher wears solutions for a full range of customer applications and needs. Designed, engineered and manufactured in-house, MX for cones is backed by Metso strictest quality standards and decades of expertise.”