Tag Archives: Metso

Germany and Finland out for sustainable solutions at IMARC 2023

Germany, often hailed for its technological prowess and commitment to environmental sustainability, finds itself at a crossroads when it comes to its mining and resources future.

Historically, mining has played a vital role in Germany’s economy, but the industry now faces a multitude of challenges that demand a balanced approach to ensure economic growth and environmental conservation while reducing the country’s reliance on imported resources.

The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC), to be held in Sydney later this year, will for the first time host a dedicated Germany Pavilion, where the country’s mining and METS companies will be looking to connect and collaborate with Australian and global industry partners to address the challenges of the global quest for the resources of the future.

Germany’s mining heritage dates back centuries, with coal and lignite mining significantly contributing to its industrialisation and economic growth. However, as the world moves towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, the prominence of coal has waned, leading to a gradual phase-out of coal mining in the country. This shift aligns with Germany’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy.

Juergen Wallstabe from the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce says that although mining activities have declined across Europe over several decades, Germany has expanded its global presence in the resources sector. High-tech METS companies in Germany are increasing their export of innovative and technologically advanced solutions worldwide.

He is confident IMARC will open more doors for established and emerging German firms to enhance their reputation for technological excellence and innovation.

“Germany’s leading position in engineering and manufacturing has resulted in a world-leading METS sector,” Mr Wallstabe says.

“We are convinced that on the one hand, German METS companies can support the Australian and other mining industry operators to reach their targets related to safety, productivity, efficiency, and decarbonisation.

“On the other hand, Australia is a valuable partner for Germany’s resources needs.”

One of the key themes at IMARC in recent years has been the industry’s impact on the environment and its role in building a sustainable decarbonised economy. A particular focus has been the often-unwelcome legacy of operations, where mining activities have left lasting scars on landscapes, disrupted ecosystems, and polluted water sources.

Wallstabe says that IMARC provides an opportunity to showcase how Germany’s emphasis on environmental protection has led to stringent regulations for mitigating these legacy impacts.

“Germany’s commitment to remediating and restoring abandoned mining sites demonstrates our dedication to healing environmental wounds,” he says. “IMARC offers a chance to share our experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges.”

Meanwhile, energy security is once again a buzzword in Europe, partly driven by the ongoing war in Ukraine and the impact of reliable energy supply, but also as a result of shifting political environments in countries like Germany.

Germany’s ambitious Energiewende (energy transition) plan aims to eliminate nuclear power and significantly reduce carbon emissions by promoting renewable energy sources. Consequently, the focus has shifted towards sustainable mining practices that support the production of materials crucial for renewable energy technologies, such as lithium for batteries and rare earth elements for wind turbines and solar panels. This presents an opportunity for the mining sector to contribute positively to Germany’s energy transformation.

Wallstabe notes that, “To manage the energy transition, Germany’s and Europe’s need for critical minerals will increase dramatically for the foreseeable future. Australia is already and will continue to be a key player in securing a steady supply of critical minerals. Wind turbines need steel, copper and strong magnets with rare earths minerals. Batteries consist of a wide range of critical minerals like lithium, manganese, copper, nickel, cobalt and the hydrogen industry needs platinum, iridium or scandium. All resources that Europe struggles to produce in sufficient quantities.”

IMARC spokesperson Paul Phelan says it is significant to have Germany so strongly represented at this year’s event. He says delegates can look forward to a showcase of Germany’s renowned innovation, and how it extends to the mining sector.

Like most other advanced nations, Germany’s mining industry is intertwined with global supply chains, both as a consumer of raw materials and as a supplier of technology and machinery. Ensuring ethical sourcing and responsible procurement of minerals from abroad becomes crucial in upholding the nation’s commitment to sustainability.

Finland, on the other hand, is taking a different approach towards securing critical minerals by prioritising e-waste recycling. Birgit Tegethoff, Senior Advisor at Business Finland Australia, points out Finland’s position as a global leader in the e-waste recycling noting companies like Metso are leading the world with its hydrometallurgical battery black mass recycling process.

“The Finnish mineral industry has the circular economy heavily ingrained in its DNA which has given it a competitive advantage in the global market,” she says. “By increasing the number of recycled components in battery production we are able to reduce the carbon footprint throughout our battery supply chain but also reduce our dependencies on international supply chains.”

High on Finland’s agenda is developing strategic international partnerships in the green minerals sector. The head of the Finnish delegation, Ilkka Homanen, has extended an invitation to Australian research institutes and the broader resource industry to reach out at IMARC 2023 and become part of a consortia solving the challenges of the green minerals value chain.

Rolf Kuby, Director-General of Euromines, says the issues facing Germany and Finland are not unique to those countries, but are felt across Europe.

“Australia embraced its natural endowment as a major strategic asset, while Europe has been over the last decades focused more on acquiring raw materials from elsewhere to process them further,” Kuby says.

“In part, this is due to the lack of deposits but also due to lack of exploration and willingness to foster mining. This is now changing, with the increase in demand for critical raw materials, and the need to future-proof value chains and not to be naive towards the importance of building a degree of open strategic autonomy.”

Phelan says along with the Germany pavilion, there will be a 90-minute German Program at IMARC 2023, curated by the German delegation and Chamber within the Global Opportunities Theatre.

Other programs featured this year include Canada, Australia, Mongolia, Ecuador, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Quebec, Ontario and South Korea.

International Mining is a media sponsor of IMARC 2023

Metso reflects on mechanical flotation technology evolution

Metso is celebrating 50 years of mechnical flotation this month, reflecting on the pivotal role flotation technology has played in the company’s history over the last five decades.

Evolving from humble beginnings at Outokumpu, and then further developed by Outotec, Metso has shaped the course of mechanical flotation and propelled the industry forward, it says.

The OK cell was taken into commercial use in 1973 with a capacity of 16 cu.m. At that time in flotation history, tanks were square-shaped when viewed from the top. As demand for even larger tanks escalated, a 38-cu.m version was introduced to optimise processes and achieve higher recoveries, and, ultimately, to enhance profitability.

During development of the larger flotation cells, the team noticed square-shaped tanks posed challenges in terms of load-bearing capacity at the corners. As a result, the entire industry shifted to round-shaped tanks. Thus, the TankCell® was born in 1995.

“TankCell is a great example of our history in flotation,” Antti Rinne, VP, Flotation at Metso, said. “Everybody who talks of TankCell flotation cells is speaking of our technology. We remain the original and leading provider of TankCell technology.”

Today, Metso TankCell boasts the world’s best flotation performance and offers a wide variety of cell sizes, currently ranging from 5 to 630 cu.m, the company says. This enables compact and cost-effective plant designs, even for high-tonnage operations. Fewer large units result in significant savings in construction costs, piping, cables, instrumentation and auxiliary equipment.

Rinne said: “Now, the biggest cell is almost 20 times larger than the original 38 cu.m. And, when we introduced the FloatForce® mixing mechanism in the TankCell design, it gave customers up to 30% savings in energy consumption and significantly better recoveries.”

Today’s flotation circuits are often designed and optimised with Metso’s HSC simulation tool, thus enabling optimisation of total flotation cell volume and other key flotation parameters, the company says.

Metso Concorde Cell, entering the market as recently as 2021, stands out as a significant milestone in flotation, according to Metso. The Concorde Cell is capable of recovering the unachievable fine and ultra-fine particles, increasing profitability while reducing operating costs, energy consumption and water usage.

This patented technology – the first of its kind – is tailored for finely disseminated and complex orebodies that were once considered inaccessible. For optimal results, it is best when used in conjunction with TankCell technology, Metso claims. Both are part of Metso’s Planet Positive offering and ensure unmatched metallurgical performance, it added.

“Combining the well-proven TankCell technology with Concorde Cells is a low-risk and high-benefit approach,” Rinne says. “The cell produces very high shear and extremely fine bubbles, which increases recovery in particles under 20 microns. Despite being the newest technology in Metso’s flotation portfolio, it has already been deployed at several operations globally.”

Since flotation is a continuous process, maintaining high availability and efficiency is crucial. Metso’s developments in flotation cell technology enable upgrading and retrofitting of older flotation equipment for enhanced performance, the company says. These advancements not only extend the lifespan of existing equipment, but also align operations with environmental and safety standards, ensuring long-term viability and compliance.

For more information on this flotation technology evolution, click here

Metso books filter and pump orders from India iron ore projects

Metso has been awarded orders to deliver concentrate dewatering filters and pumps to two iron ore projects in India. The combined order value exceeds €10 million ($11.01 million) and was booked in the Minerals segment’s June-quarter 2023 orders received.

Metso’s scope of delivery consists of the engineering, manufacturing and supply of several VPA pressure filters and filter feed pumps as well as spare parts.

Vijay Dhar, Vice President for Minerals Sales in the Middle East and India market areas at Metso, said: “We are pleased having been chosen to deliver the pressure filters to the two sites. The VPA filters are one of the most sustainable filters available and are classified as Planet Positive products because of their water and energy efficiency.”

Metso says its filtration portfolio consists of 15 different filter types and a comprehensive service offering for various mining and industrial applications, with more than 5,000 installations globally. The Larox® legacy is carried over in five filters in the portfolio. Over 80% of the Metso filters are part of the company’s Planet Positive portfolio.

Metso and Rio Tinto to work on continuous pilot plant for BioIron process

Rio Tinto has awarded Metso a detailed design and engineering contract for its continuous pilot plant (CPP) for the BioIron™ process.

The contract is an extension of the work that Rio Tinto and Metso have been doing together on the development of the BioIron process, the effectiveness of which was successfully proven through small-scale pilot tests conducted at Metso’s Research Center in Frankfurt, Germany.

The process uses raw biomass instead of metallurgical coal as a reductant and microwave energy to convert Pilbara iron ore to metallic iron in the steelmaking process. BioIron has the potential to support near-zero CO2 steelmaking, and can result in net negative emissions if linked with carbon capture and storage, according to Rio Tinto.

Rio aims to move further towards full-scale implementation of the BioIron technology through operation of a CPP, according to Metso, with the OEM entrusted with the detailed design of the CPP’s reduction furnace and certain other equipment for the BioIron process.

David Leigh, General Manager Steel Decarbonisation at Rio Tinto, said: “This work is the key next step in the development of the BioIron technology and builds on the success of the research and development team.”

Matthias Gabriel, Director, Ferrous at Metso, added: “We are very excited to continue the close working relationship with Rio Tinto and to provide engineering and design support as we move to the next phase of development of the BioIron technology.”

GR Engineering receives LoI for EPC process plant build at K92’s Kainantu gold mine

GR Engineering Services has received a Letter of Intent from K92 Mining Ltd, a subsidiary of TSX-listed K92 Mining Inc, for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works associated with a 1.2 Mt/y process plant at the Kainantu gold mine in Papua New Guinea.

K92 Mining owns and operates Kainantu, a producing gold mine that has existing infrastructure at site. The EPC works are being performed as part of K92 Mining’s Stage 3 Expansion plans.

K92 Mining has successfully executed multiple expansions at the Kainantu Gold Mine, after restarting operations at the site in 2016.

In addition to the award of the contract, all process plant long-lead item contracts have already been awarded on a fixed price (excluding freight), to CITIC HIC Australia Pty Ltd for the SAG and ball mills, Jord International Pty Ltd for the filter press and Metso for the tank flotation cells, flash flotation cells and high-rate thickeners, K92 says.

The contract sum for the EPC contract is $81 million, with GR Engineering having commenced engineering works on an agreed scope and cost basis. The contract is expected to be finalised by the end of August 2023.

Tony Patrizi, Managing Director, said: “GR Engineering is a leading gold EPC contractor and has previous experience on PNG projects through our Brisbane office. We are looking forward to assisting K92 Mining achieve their expansion plans and to delivering a safe outcome for the project.”

K92 says commissioning of the 1.2 Mt/y Stage 3 Expansion process plant is targeting the end of the March quarter of 2025.

Metso to expand bulk material handling expertise with Brouwer Engineering buy

Metso says it has signed an agreement to acquire Brouwer Engineering, a privately-owned Australia-based company specialising in automation, control systems and electrical solutions for bulk material handling solutions.

Combining Metso’s extensive experience in bulk material handling equipment and service offerings with Brouwer Engineering’s electrical and control system capabilities will further strengthen Metso’s position to provide a more comprehensive range of solutions to its customers, it says. Additionally, the acquisition strengthens Metso’s bulk material handling services business in Australia, with potential to expand these capabilities globally.

Sami Takaluoma, President, Services business area, Metso, said: “This acquisition is an important step toward Metso Services’ ambition to strengthen our automation and control capabilities. Brouwer’s expertise complements Metso’s capabilities in large mechanical upgrade projects. Together, we will offer comprehensive service packages for bulk material handling equipment upgrades and ensure fast commissioning. We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues to Metso, and we look forward to starting a journey of collaboration to become our industry’s preferred services provider.”

Brouwer Engineering has extensive design and development experience with all key software and hardware platforms, and it delivers fit-for-purpose end-to-end solutions using all major PLC, SCADA, and HMI platforms.

Hu Sciberras, Managing Director, Brouwer Engineering, said: “We are excited about the acquisition and the opportunities it will bring. The acquisition is a great opportunity for our employees to leverage their technical expertise and as a part of Metso, our offering can be scaled up globally.”

Metso says it has been an industry leader in the bulk material handling industry for more than a century, with more than 8,000 machines installed globally across the mining and aggregate space.

The acquisition is expected to be closed in August 2023. .

Avalon Advanced Materials and Metso sign MoU on lithium hydroxide production plan

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc has signed a memorandum of understanding to create a strategic partnership with Metso aimed at establishing terms to develop a lithium hydroxide production facility to process lithium mineral concentrates that are essential for the North American electric vehicle (EV) battery value chain.

Avalon intends to deploy Metso’s technology to construct and operationalise a full-service lithium processing facility at the company’s recently acquired Thunder Bay, Ontario industrial site.

Upon completion of the project, Avalon says it will be the first vertically integrated lithium producer in Ontario, while ensuring Canada’s EV battery manufacturing base has a stable, proximate and long-term supply of this resource.

“Metso’s platform and technological solutions perfectly complement Avalon’s vision to complete an integrated lithium value chain in Ontario, predicated on innovative process solutions,” Zeeshan Syed, President of Avalon, said. “We view Metso as an integral part of this rapidly growing sector, and a foundational partner in developing internationally best-in-class processing capabilities that are environmentally sustainable, allowing Avalon to meet the soaring demand for battery-grade lithium.”

The non-binding MoU stipulates:
• The pursuit of a definitive agreement to establish a lithium hydroxide processing facility in Thunder Bay;
• Avalon to license Metso technology and solutions to produce lithium hydroxide cathode materials to serve the EV market;
• Allow Metso to conduct testing and engineering work across Avalon’s portfolio of critical-mineral projects, including the company’s flagship deposit at Separation Rapids near Kenora, Ontario; and
• The parties anticipate reaching a definitive agreement on or before September 1, 2023.

Metso’s sustainable next-generation production and processing technologies are being deployed internationally by governments and clean-energy producers in order to address and deliver the necessary supply required by the emerging EV battery industry, Avalon says.

Avalon’s strategic partnership with Metso is a first in Canada, and is a significant step towards helping the company execute on its vertically-integrated business strategy – and, in turn, entrench Ontario’s position as an advanced manufacturing hub serving not only North America, but the world.

Mikko Rantaharju, Head of Hydrometallurgy at Metso, said: “Metso is looking forward to partnering with Avalon and be part of its long-term vision to be a mid-stream supplier in the lithium hydroxide space. We are aligned with Avalon’s vision of the future and proud to play a key role in technology supply and advancement into clean energy solutions.

”We are also extremely excited to be partnering with the first Ontario conversion facility with Metso’s technology. The innovation advantages of the alkaline process allow for elimination of the use of potentially harmful chemicals such as sulfuric acid and comparatively reduces overall solid waste and emissions, making it environmentally friendlier and overall, safer for workers and local surrounding communities.”

Avalon is a Canadian mineral development company focused on vertically integrating the Ontario lithium value chain. The company is currently developing its Separation Rapids lithium deposit near Kenora, while continuing to advance other projects in its portfolio, including its 100%-owned Lilypad spodumene-cesium-tantalum project near Fort Hope, Ontario.

In additional to extraction activities, Avalon is executing on its key strategic objective of developing Ontario’s first midstream lithium hydroxide processing facility, a vital link bridging the gap between upstream lithium production and downstream EV battery manufacturing.

For battery minerals, Metso provides sustainable technology and equipment for the entire production chain, from the mine to battery materials and black mass recycling with project scopes ranging from equipment packages to plant deliveries.

Metso wins major flotation cell order from First Quantum for Kansanshi S3 expansion

Canada-based First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has placed an additional order with Metso for the delivery of minerals processing equipment to its Kansanshi copper mine S3 expansion.

Metso’s scope of delivery includes apron feeders, Nordberg® MP800™ cone crushers, TankCell® e630 and TankCell® e300 mechanical flotation cells, high-intensity Concorde Cell™ units, ColumnCell™ units, HRT thickeners and a clarifier.

Most of the separation equipment are part of Metso’s Planet Positive offering.

Last year, Metso was awarded an order for two Premier™ grinding mills, with a total installed power of 50 MW, including Metso Megaliner™ and metallic mill linings for the expansion.

The First Quantum Minerals Ltd Board of Directors signed off on the S3 Expansion last year, bankrolling a project that could see Kansanshi’s life pushed out to 2044. Once the expansion is completed, copper production from Kansanshi is expected to average approximately 250,000 t/y for the remaining life of mine.

Metso says the value of the order exceeds €20 million ($21. 8 million).

Antti Rinne, Vice President, Flotation at Metso, said: “Kansanshi’s flotation flowsheet combines the well-proven, energy efficient TankCell flotation cells with the new Concorde Cell, unlocking the potential for further improved flotation performance. Concorde Cell high-intensity, forced-air pneumatic flotation cells allow operations to enhance fine and ultrafine particle selectivity.”

Metso extends calcining and acid roasting input at Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant

Metso says it has been awarded a contract to deliver ancillary equipment for Albemarle Lithium Pty Ltd’s calcining and acid roasting facilities at the Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant in Western Australia.

This agreeement is an addendum to the two pyro processing and comminution lines that were awarded to Metso and announced in December 2022. The value of the contract is approximately €40 million ($43.5 million).

Metso’s scope of delivery includes selected material handling and gas cleaning equipment for the calciner, calcine grinding and acid vapour sections.

Chris Urban, Vice President, Heat Transfer at Metso, said: “We are pleased that Albemarle, which is one of the largest lithium producers in the world, has selected us as the partner for their lithium hydroxide processing plants. In addition to the pyro processing and comminution lines ordered, it was also our honour to deliver two pyro lines, which were recently commissioned.”

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 to supply SAG mills and mill liners to Origin Mining’s Mineral Park project

Metso says it has been awarded orders for the delivery of grinding plant equipment to Origin Mining Company’s brownfield Mineral Park Mill Restart project in the US.

Origin Mining is managed under the Waterton Global Resource Management umbrella of investments, with Mineral Park in a historic, copper-rich mining district next to Kingman, Arizona. The total value of the order is €16 million ($17.4 million).

Metso’s scope of delivery includes two Planet Positive Premier® SAG mills and Skega Poly-Met™ mill liners, and the possibility to supply other comminution and beneficiation process equipment technologies later.

Jack McMahon, President of Origin Mining, said: “We have been impressed with Metso’s commitment to support our vision to grow the USA copper supply. Metso’s leading comminution and beneficiation process equipment technologies will help us do our part to contribute to the transition to an electrified future.

“Metso has actively supported the project in a time responsive, technical and open manner, allowing for ’fit for purpose’ process solutions. We also value Metso’s ability to provide the necessary value added after-sales services in Arizona to support our operation.”

Tim Robinson, Vice President, Minerals Sales in North and Central America at Metso, said: “We are very excited to support Origin Mining in their drive to develop and supply locally key battery minerals, like copper, in the USA. Our industry-leading products and large service team in Arizona is committed to supporting them in this quest.”