Tag Archives: Metso

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

Comminution of minerals, Mineral processing, Steel and iron ore, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

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

Mine operation news, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , , , ,

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

Bulk handling, Mining equipment, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , , , ,

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

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

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

Base metals, Comminution of minerals, Environmental, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

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

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

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

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.”

Metso receives largest filter modernisation order in its history

Environmental, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Water management, , , ,

Metso says it has been awarded repeat orders for filter modernisation, plate packs and related services from several major mining companies in the North, Central and South America markets.

In addition to filter modernisation, several larger modernisation orders for other types of dewatering solutions have been booked, according to the company.

By utilising Metso’s expertise and technology, customers will be able to increase uptime and achieve capacity improvements, Metso claims, adding that the value of the orders amount to more than €15 million ($16.4 million).

In the March quarter, Metso received the largest filter modernisation order in its history, totaling €10 million, while the company’s largest thickener modernisation order was also booked in this same three-month period.

Tomas Hakala, Senior Vice President, Beneficiation, Dewatering, and Hydrometallurgy Services business line, Metso, said: “The customer interest and need for high-quality filters, filter spares, and services are rising. We are very glad to confirm several repeat orders with our key customers. The new polymer filter plate factory in Mexico is an important investment, and it will increase our capability of meeting customers’ demands, simultaneously strengthening our strong position in mining concentrate and tailings filtration solutions.”

From the new factory, Metso will provide customers with shorter lead times and transportation distances, especially to the Americas, it says. The first filter plates are expected to be manufactured in the second half of 2024, and full production capacity is expected by the end of the first half of 2025. Once fully operational, the factory will have the capacity to serve the full filter portfolio.

Metso’s filtration portfolio consists of 15 different filter types and services for hundreds of applications. More than 80% of Metso filters are part of the company’s Planet Positive portfolio, primarily thanks to their efficiency in the recovery and reuse of water, the company says. It has carried out more than 14,000 filtration tests and delivered more than 5,000 filters for various applications worldwide. Many of the filters are sold under the Larox® product name along with Metso corporate branding.

Metso looks to grow mining truck body, bucket exposure with Häggblom buy

Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , ,

Metso says it has signed an agreement to acquire Ab A. Häggblom Oy, a privately-owned Finnish engineering and manufacturing company with a key offering that includes mining truck bodies and buckets.

Häggblom’s service portfolio includes wear parts, truck body and bucket refurbishments, as well as related field services. It has partnered with Metso for several years in the manufacturing of truck bodies.

The acquisition will broaden Metso’s offering in bodies and buckets by providing complete end-to-end loading and hauling solutions, while  strengthening the company’s position in the aftermarket, according to Metso. The aim is to leverage Häggblom’s strong engineering and manufacturing expertise in collaboration with existing partners on a regional and global basis.

Heikki Metsälä, President, Consumables business area, Metso, said: “Loading and hauling is a growing business, and our goal is to further develop our capability to serve our customers. Häggblom’s product range, manufacturing know-how and engineering capabilities, as well as service expertise, are a good addition to Metso’s wear parts portfolio. Häggblom’s employees will bring valuable skills to Metso, and we look forward to building on the great partnership we have developed over the years,”

Jukka Karhula, CEO, Häggblom, said: “This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our company. We have successfully cooperated with Metso for many years, and we are now excited to become part of an international company. We are confident that our expertise and products will align well with Metso’s loading and hauling offering. This acquisition will benefit our customers and employees who are our most important assets.”

The acquisition is estimated to be finalised in August 2023. The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction value, which has no material impact on Metso’s financials, it says.

Metso to deliver Larox pressure filters to Tosyali iron ore concentrator plant expansion in Algeria

Environmental, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, Sustainable mining, , , , , , ,

Metso says it has signed a contract with Sinosteel Corporation for the delivery of seven Larox® FFP2512 pressure filtration units to Tosyali’s iron concentrator plant expansion in Algeria.

The contract value, which exceeds €10 million ($10.9 million), is booked in Minerals’ June quarter 2023 orders received.

Xun Fang, Head of Minerals Sales, Greater China at Metso, said: “This is a repeat order from Sinosteel, which operates as the EPC contractor for the Tosyali II Iron concentrator. According to our end client and the contractor, Metso was selected for our wide reference base in iron concentrate and tailing applications. We have previously supplied filters for Tosyali’s phase I project, and they successfully met the set performance targets.”

Metso’s filtration portfolio consists of 15 different filter types and comprehensive services for hundreds of applications. The Larox® FFP pressure filters, Metso says, provide a reliable and optimised dewatering solution with high-volume processing for concentrates, tailings and bulk applications.

Over 80% of the Metso filters – including the Larox FFP pressure filters – are part of the company’s Planet Positive portfolio, primarily thanks to their efficiency in the recovery and reuse of water. Metso says it has carried out more than 14,000 filtration tests and has delivered more than 5,000 filters for various applications worldwide.