Tag Archives: Metso Outotec

Metso Outotec energy-efficient comminution tech heading to Engebø rutile and garnet project

Comminution of minerals, Energy minerals, Mining equipment, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nordic Mining ASA has awarded Metso Outotec with an order for the delivery of an energy-efficient comminution technology package for its Engebø rutile and garnet greenfield project in Norway, the OEM says.

Metso Outotec’s scope of delivery includes key comminution and classification equipment, comprising a C-type jaw crusher, Premier™ Rod mill, Vertimill™, and 12 UltraFine Series™ screens, as well as pre-production pilot-scale confirmatory test work.

Ivar S Fossum, CEO at Nordic Mining ASA, said: “This is another important milestone for the Engebø project. We are very pleased to partner with Metso Outotec as the technology and service provider for this vital process equipment.”

Christoph Hoetzel, Senior Vice President, Grinding at Metso Outotec, added: “The combination of Metso Outotec’s Planet Positive equipment is exceptional in this project. By utilising our Premier Rod mill and Vertimill for primary and secondary grinding, as well as our UltraFine Screens for classification, this solution not only provides excellent energy efficiency but also superior sharpness of product particle size distribution. This will maximise the liberation and minimise losses in fines.”

Roar Vasbø, Vice President, Sales and Services, Nordics at Metso Outotec, said Engebø is the first greenfield industrial mineral production site developed in Norway in almost 40 years.

Nordic Mining is expected to produce high-quality rutile and garnet products from an annual run of mine of 1.5 Mt ore at Engebø. The average production and sales volumes of rutile and garnet will be approximately 35,000 t/y and 180,000 t/y, respectively, for the first 10 years of operation, according to the company.

Metso Outotec to maintain 10 HIGmills for Asia Pacific miner as part of LCS agreement

Comminution of minerals, Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

Metso Outotec says it has signed a three-year Life Cycle Services (LCS) contract for the service of 10 Metso Outotec-supplied HIGmill™ fine grinding units to a mining customer in Asia Pacific.

The purpose of this agreement is to maximise production and increase uptime by improving the performance of the wear parts using Metso Outotec’s proprietary technology, services and technical expertise. Metso Outotec will provide spares and wears for the HIGmills. Other elements of the agreement are process optimisation, repair services, as well as a service exchange program for spare and wear parts management.

The contract is a performance-based service agreement, and it is one of the largest Life Cycle Services orders received by Metso Outotec.

The Metso Outotec HIGmill is an advanced and energy-efficient fine and ultra-fine grinding solution that relies on proven technology, according to the OEM.

Sami Takaluoma, President, Services business area, Metso Outotec, said: “We are extremely glad that our customer shows this confidence and appreciation in our expertise and end-to-end knowledge in sustainable fine grinding solutions and services. Metso Outotec is continuously developing its service capabilities for the customer’s benefit. The latest investment in the Asia Pacific area is our Karratha, Western Australia, facility which will be our biggest service centre globally. The centre will be operational during the fourth (December) quarter of 2023, and it further strengthens Metso Outotec’s presence in the region.”

Metso Outotec says it offers a wide portfolio of stirred mill technologies and supporting services for fine and ultrafine grinding in secondary, tertiary and regrind applications. The stirred mill portfolio includes the Vertimill®, the Metso Outotec HIGmill grinding mill, and the SMD Stirred Media Detritor.

Metso Outotec pyro processing and comminution lines set for Albemarle’s Kemerton lithium plant

Energy minerals, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , ,

Albemarle Lithium Pty Ltd has awarded Metso Outotec an order for two pyro processing and comminution lines for its Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant in Western Australia, the OEM says.

Previously, Metso Outotec delivered two similar pyro process lines to the plant as part of another order.

Metso Outotec’s delivery consists of rotary calciner kilns and coolers, Premier™ ball mills, acid roast indirect rotary kilns and coolers for the pyro processing lines, as well as advisory services for installation and commissioning. Over 90% of the approximately €55 million ($58.6 million) order value is booked in Metso Outotec’s Metals fourth-quarter (December-quarter) orders received and the rest in its Minerals’ orders received.

Chris Urban, Vice President, Heat Transfer at Metso Outotec, said: “Albemarle is one of the largest lithium producers in the world. Commissioning and ramp up of the first two pyro lines delivered by us is currently taking place at the Kemerton plant in Western Australia, and we are delighted to now have received orders for two additional Metso Outotec pyro processing lines.”

The Kemerton plant initially consisted of three production trains, each producing 20,000 t/y of lithium hydroxide, with a potential expansion to five trains that will see production increase to 100,000 t/y by around 2025. The plant will be supplied with lithium concentrate produced at the nearby Greenbushes mine.

Metso Outotec to deliver crushing, flotation and thickening tech to OZ Minerals West Musgrave

Base metals, Comminution of minerals, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , , , , ,

Metso Outotec says it has been awarded an order for the supply of key minerals processing technologies to OZ Minerals’ West Musgrave copper-nickel project in Western Australia.

The OEM’s scope of delivery includes an MP1250™ cone crusher, as well as Planet Positive classified flotation units and high-rate thickeners.

The TankCell® e630 flotation units (pictured) are the most proven large-scale cells in the 600 cu.m-plus category and come with the largest installed base of operating cells in the world, according to Metso Outotec.

Metso Outotec’s high-rate thickeners, meanwhile, were selected for their state-of-the-art technology and based on references from similar process plants, it said. Laboratory test work was conducted by Metso Outotec to aid thickener selection.

Kai Rönnberg, Vice President, Minerals Sales – Asia Pacific at Metso Outotec, said: “We are very excited to work on the West Musgrave project with OZ Minerals. We were able to align with the project’s key value drivers at an early stage and provide expert technical support.

“OZ Minerals has selected leading-class Planet Positive process equipment for their nickel and copper production process, and they will also be able to benefit from our extensive aftermarket capabilities and footprint in Western Australia.”

In September, the OZ Minerals Board greenlit the build of the West Musgrave copper-nickel project. The feasibility study the board signed off on detailed a 13.5 Mt/y operation with average production of circa-28,000 t/y of nickel and circa-35,000 t/y of copper over a 24-year operating life.

Metso Outotec presents digital optimiser for iron ore sintering plants

Mining services, Mining software, Steel and iron ore, ,

Metso Outotec is out to improve sinter plant process performance and stability with the launch of Optimus Sinter, a digital optimiser for iron ore sintering plants.

Optimus Sinter is one of Metso Outotec’s leading-edge digital solutions to ensure the optimal operation and maintenance of iron ore sintering plants, the company says. A sophisticated thermodynamic model forms the core of Metso Outotec’s Optimus Sinter, calculating the process conditions in the sinter bed – which cannot be measured with sensors due to the high temperatures – and offering advanced insights into the sinter plant operations.

Andreas Meier-Hedde, Senior Product Manager for Sintering technology at Metso Outotec, said: “We are very happy to announce the launch of our holistic sinter plant optimiser. With Optimus Sinter, our customers can get the best performance out of their operations. Operators can manage the plants better by leveraging the advanced insights this digital tool offers. Optimus Sinter also offers real-time operating advice with respect to different operating plant targets.”

Backed by Metso Outotec’s experience and process know-how in sintering, Optimus Sinter offers benefits such as increased gross production, improved electrical energy consumption and reduced solid fuel consumption, the company says.

Based on process measurement and actual raw material data as well as the proprietary process model, Optimus Sinter provides:

  • Online, real-time process calculations;
  • Monitoring of relevant process parameters and key performance indicators (energy consumption and CO2 footprint);
  • Visualisation of chemical and physical processes and temperatures in the sinter bed;
  • Online optimisation of feed material mix;
  • Real-time forecast of product quality (sinter strength, Fe/Fe2+ content, basicity); and
  • Improved burn-through calculation.

Keliber to use Metso Outotec’s Planet Positive leaching technology at lithium refinery

Energy minerals, Environmental, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , ,

Sibanye-Stillwater’s subsidiary Keliber has partnered with Metso Outotec to provide its sustainable soda pressure leaching technology for Keliber’s lithium hydroxide refinery, which will be built in Kokkola, Finland.

Keliber owns the advanced lithium project located in the Kaustinen region of Finland, which intends to be one of the first integrated operations in Europe to sustainably produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide using its own ore. In addition, Metso Outotec will provide key processes for Keliber’s concentrator plant, which will be located on the border of Kaustinen and Kronoby municipalities in Finland.

Following the approval for the Keliber lithium project by Sibanye-Stillwater’s board, as announced on November 28, 2022, the first and biggest technology contract has now been signed. The combined order value is approximately €120 million ($128 million), of which approximately €80 million is committed for the Kokkola lithium hydroxide refinery. The planned production of the lithium hydroxide refinery is 15,000 t/y of lithium hydroxide monohydrate.

Metso Outotec’s scope of delivery consists of the engineering and supply of most of the equipment for the lithium hydroxide refinery, as well as installation and commissioning services and training. For the concentrator plant, Metso Outotec’s scope of delivery includes engineering and supply of all the main equipment.

Hannu Hautala, CEO of Keliber, said: “Metso Outotec’s Planet Positive portfolio, which focuses on the most environmentally-efficient technologies, supports the potential for the Keliber project to be a world-class lithium hydroxide producer, that is among the most sustainable in the world.”

Metso Outotec has developed lithium hard-rock-related technologies for some 20 years, and collaboration with Keliber started already in the early 2000s.

Heikki Pekkarinen, Chief Project Officer, said: “The lithium hydroxide production process has been successfully tested with Keliber’s concentrate in Metso Outotec’s pilot plant during the last few years. Metso Outotec has also provided the basic engineering for the refinery, which has given us a well-based detailed technical and economic performance review of the plant. During the planning and piloting stages, new initiatives were also developed to improve the environmental and production performance of both plants.”

Markku Teräsvasara, President of the Minerals business area at Metso Outotec, said: “We are excited that Metso Outotec has been selected as a partner for Keliber’s world-class concentrator plant and refinery project. Our proprietary soda pressure leaching technology will enable exceptional material and energy efficiency for the lithium hydroxide refinery, contributing to the sustainability and profitability of the whole project.”

Metso Outotec confirms Premier grinding mill order for West African’s Kiaka gold project

Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Precious metals, , , , , , , , , ,

Australia-based West African Resources has awarded Metso Outotec an order for state-of-the-art comminution equipment worth €30 million ($32 million) to be delivered to its greenfield Kiaka gold project in Burkina Faso.

Metso Outotec’s delivery includes two Planet Positive Premier™ grinding mills with a total installed power of 27 MW, as well as Metso Outotec’s proprietary metal and rubber mill linings and spare parts.

Kiaka, an asset with 7.7 Moz of reserves and resources on its books, is West African Resources’ second gold mine in the country on top of its operating Sanbrado asset.

WAF’s feasibility study, released in August 2022, outlined pre-production capital costs of $430 million and a 2.5-year pre-tax pay back at a $1,750/oz gold price for the project. Kiaka was expected to operate over an 18.5-year life of mine, producing, on average, 219,000 oz/y of gold (on a 100% basis).

Matt Scully, Project Director, West African Resources, said: “We are pleased to again team up with Metso Outotec for this project. West African is in an exciting growth phase, as we aim to be a multi-project, producing more than 400,000 oz/y of gold in 2025.”

Oskar Gustavson, Technology Director, Grinding at Metso Outotec, said: “The Premier SAG mill to be delivered to the Kiaka project is one of the largest gear-driven grinding mills in the world with its 18 MW of installed power. The Premier ball mill has been designed to pair smoothly with the SAG mill. Both mills are equipped with fail-safe Metso Outotec Polymer Hydrostatic Shoe Bearing systems, significantly increasing reliability and reducing maintenance costs. We are delighted to work with West African Resources on this project.”

Metso Outotec to deliver anode casting shops to major copper producers

Base metals, Metallurgy, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, , , , ,

Metso Outotec says it has received orders for four anode casting shops from major copper producers in the USA, China and Africa that come with a total value of around €18 million ($19.2 million).

In each of the projects, Metso Outotec’s scope of delivery includes anode casting shops with engineering and state-of-the-art technology.

Harri Talvensaari, Senior Sales Manager, Smelting at Metso Outotec, said: “Today, most of the world’s copper anodes are produced with Metso Outotec’s proprietary anode casting technology. We have delivered over 100 anode casting shops around the world, and our frontrunning technology is used globally by the leading copper producers. Our anode casting shops are compatible with different types of smelting technologies, enabling reliable operation and consistent throughput.”

Metso Outotec’s fully electric anode casting shops feature a high level of automation, which ensures premium anode quality with excellent weight accuracy and a low reject rate combined with high capacity and availability, the company says. Metso Outotec also offers a variety of modular upgrades for existing installations, including equipment, automation, services and digital tools, like the on-line MouldSense™ system.

Metso Outotec to deliver two sulphuric acid plants to Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Company

Base metals, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Sustainable mining, , , , , , ,

Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Company (AMMC) has awarded Metso Outotec an order worth €70 million ($74 million) for the delivery of two sulphuric acid plants to be built for its zinc roasting facility in Almalyk, Uzbekistan.

Metso Outotec’s scope of delivery includes the design and delivery of Planet Positive equipment for two gas cleaning and sulphuric acid plants, which will process all off-gases from the zinc roasters into industrial-grade sulphuric acid, Metso Outotec says. In addition, Metso Outotec will deliver utility facilities, such as a common cooling tower system and a common air compressor system.

The two plants to be delivered by Metso Outotec will be identical and replace AMMC’s existing facilities for gas cleaning and sulphuric acid production, it said. The plants will improve operational efficiency and reliability and significantly reduce the facilities’ environmental impact, the company added, with the plants expected to be operational by the end of the second half of 2025.

Hannes Storch, Vice President, Metal and Chemical Processing at Metso Outotec, said: “We are extremely pleased that Almalyk has again selected us as the partner for providing gas cleaning and sulphuric acid technology. Metso Outotec’s advanced Planet Positive gas cleaning and sulphuric acid plant solution will improve the environmental performance of AMMC’s metallurgical operations.”

Metso Outotec out to automate pallet car replacement process in iron ore pellet plants

Automation, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , ,

Metso Outotec is setting out to improve safety and productivity in pellet plants with the launch of an automatic pallet car changing device.

This is an alternative to conventional solutions that require production stoppages of up to 10 minutes to remove and replace worn pallet cars, according to Metso Outotec, with the automatic changing device enabling pallet car replacement in a safe, reliable and cost-effective way without manual intervention or halting production.

The automatic pallet car changing device is part of Metso Outotec’s leading-edge solutions helping ensure the optimal operation and maintenance of iron ore pelletising plants, the company says. It improves process performance, production capacity and product quality while reducing energy consumption, environmental impact and operation and maintenance costs. In addition, it improves the operational safety associated with these changes by automating heavy load handling.

The device complements Metso Outotec’s Pallet Car Condition Monitoring System that, the company says, helps operators improve preventive maintenance planning and execution.

Olavo Nolasco, Director, Product Competitiveness, Ferrous & Heat Transfer at Metso Outotec, said: “We are really excited about the automatic pallet car changing device. It eliminates the manual step involved in pallet car change as well as enables continuous changes without halting the production. What makes it more interesting is the fact that it can be implemented also in existing machines – provided they meet certain criteria. Our experts are happy to give more information on how each of these would benefit and work in individual plants.”