Tag Archives: mineral processing

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.

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.”

Eriez illustrates benefits of B-HC electromagnetic vibratory feeder models

Comminution of minerals, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, , ,

Eriez® has announced the release of an animation showcasing the features and benefits of its new B-HC (high-capacity) electromagnetic vibratory feeder models.

These advanced feeders are the latest additions to the company’s B-Series line and offer between 70-100% greater capacity than previous models, setting new industry standards for material handling efficiency.

Eriez B-HC feeders can handle bulk materials ranging from just a few pounds to 1,200 tons (1,089 t) per hour, depending on the material type. By using the full AC sine wave and creating a push-pull magnetic action, these units effectively generate increased tray deflection and material flow and ensure precise and controlled material flow.

Operators can easily adjust feed rates either locally or remotely by modifying the feeder tray displacement from 0 to .09 in (2.3 mm), allowing for highly customised performance tailored to suit diverse application needs.

“Our new B-HC models represent a significant breakthrough in vibratory feeder technology,” Rob Yandrick, Global Product Manager—Vibratory at Eriez, says. “With an electromagnetic drive that includes a powerful rare earth permanent magnetic armature assembly and options for base and suspended mounting, as well as undermount and overhead drive configurations, these feeders are engineered to deliver unparalleled performance and flexibility.”

The animation offers a comprehensive overview of B-HC feeders, illustrating how this equipment excels in head-load applications beneath hoppers by accurately metering bulk materials to belt conveyors, crushers, screens and elevators.

Designed for sustainability and dependability, the B-HC feeders incorporate a compact, energy-efficient AC control system with accelerometer feedback, providing precise variable-speed control with minimal power and maintenance requirements.

RCR Mining Technologies’ SPF set to redefine the future of apron feeder tech

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

RCR Mining Technologies has announced the launch of the Sealed Pan Feeder (SPF), a world-first, industry-leading product redefining the future of apron feeder technology, it says.

Combining the robust elements of an apron feeder with the sealing properties of a belt feeder, RCR has created a two-in-one machine that, it says, offers benefits beyond any traditional apron feeder.

Both the RCR Sealed Pan Feeder and the RCR Apron Feeder boast low-maintenance designs, outperforming alternatives in the market. The Sealed Pan Feeder shares over 90% of its components with the RCR Apron Feeder, ensuring durability while introducing key improvements:

  • Enhanced performance: The SPF reduces the need for maintenance outages, offering approximately 50% fewer outages and 39% less tool time over a 15-year period compared with standard, non-RCR apron feeders, the company claims;
  • Maximised production: The reduction in maintenance frequency and outage duration translates directly to more ore throughput without increasing the size or speed of the feeder; and
  • Cost efficiency: By eliminating the need for dribble conveyors, the SPF delivers more efficient operating costs, addressing carry-back and leakage with its fully sealed and scrapable material-carrying surface.

RCR’s Head of Engineering, Elia Khoury, said the company was thrilled to launch this world-first, next-generation apron feeder that is set to “revolutionise materials handling”.

The SPF has already proven its worth in the field, with Fortescue Metals Group Project Director, Matthew Erceg-Hurn, remarking: “Having the Sealed Pan Feeders means we have a lot more uptime, which means we can keep running tonnes through the plant and produce more revenue as opposed to stopping and maintain the plant more regularly.”

The Sealed Pan Feeder was recently showcased at MINExpo 2024, in Las Vegas, where it garnered significant attention from industry leaders, according to the company, with Alister MacPherson, Head of Strategy, Growth & Innovation at RCR, characterising the interest as “phenomenal”.

Neville Kelly, Business Development Manager at RCR, concluded: “With its superior design and proven benefits, the Sealed Pan Feeder represents the future of apron feeder technology, helping companies maximise production, reduce costs and streamline operations.”

FEATURE ARTICLE: Flotation

Spotlight Feature Article, , ,

This month’s Spotlight Feature Article focuses on the area of flotation, with Paul Moore looking at newer designs in the latest ‘future flowsheets’. Included within this is coarse particle flotation, or coarse particle recovery, which is billed by many in the industry as providing a way for mining companies to grind to coarser sizes, reduce energy consumption and costs, and recover valuable minerals and metals from tailings streams.

Metso bolsters filtration offering with Glass Media filter

Comminution of minerals, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, , , ,

Metso is expanding its polishing filtration product family with the addition of the GM (Glass Media) filter, designed to, the OEM says, remove insoluble organics in battery metals processes by using very efficient and patented coalescing media.

With its cost-effective and modular design, the GM filter increases the recovery and recycling of valuable process chemicals.

Mika Vuorikari, Director of Industrial Filtration at Metso, said: “The GM filter is an ideal choice when insoluble organics need to be removed and recovered. Thanks to its efficient coalescing media for hydrometallurgical applications, the GM filter can perfect the removal and recovery of insoluble organics at a much higher velocity than the traditional coalescing medias. In applications where an Active Carbon (AC) filter needs to be used for dissolved organics adsorption from the process, the AC filter’s efficiency and media lifetime can be improved by utilizing a GM filter in front of it.”

The Metso GM filter is designed for variable sizes of process streams and its modular design makes it easy to expand to meet plant process requirements. It also optimises back washing with filtered process liquid and circulates back to the process, ensuring that water consumption is kept to a minimum. The low pumping pressure of the filter also results in lower energy consumption.

Together with the Dual Media (DM) and Active Carbon (AC) filters, Metso has a complete filtration portfolio for SX electrowinning and crystallisation processes. Strong know-how and experience from the hydrometallurgical industry allows Metso to design industry-leading filtration solutions for battery minerals processing. Metso has delivered more than ninety DM and AC filters to metallurgical SX processes globally.

Metso plays software hand in face of mining market competition, industry challenges

Automation, Comminution of minerals, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

With the mining industry’s growing understanding and openness to the benefits of digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI), it was only a matter of time before some of the big OEMs ventured further into the software development space. That time is now with Metso having, today, opened a Digital Design and Development Studio in Krakow, Poland, to complement its already wide digitalisation offering.

Many mining companies around the world regularly interact with software carrying the Metso name: think of the ACT/OCS-4D™ platforms for advanced process control, the Geminex™ digital twin and HSC Chemistry for minerals and metals process simulation and optimisation, or the Metrics monitoring service.

The company’s latest software developments will go beyond these legacy solutions, leveraging what it refers to as “leading-edge digital capabilities” to solve some of the industry’s major issues.

Olivier Guyot, Senior Vice President for Minerals Digital at Metso, admits the minerals industry might have “missed the first train” when it comes to developing software that leverages AI and machine learning, but he still sees a major market opportunity for Metso, with customers more prepared to embrace digitalisation.

“We have recently had many customer meetings where we have shared our digital strategy,” he told IM. “It has been clear from these interactions that there is an opportunity for us to make inroads into this market.”

Metso doesn’t have an intention to compete with pure software players in this space. It is also cognisant its customers will not be open to adding another vendor to their already extensive list of digital suppliers without a proven value proposition.

“As a result, what we are focused on when it comes to software development, user experience design, data and AI is related to our expertise – equipment, services, process and materials technology, etc – and how to embed and integrate it seamlessly into an already mature plant ecosystem,” Guyot added.

“We really see digital as a complement to our core competencies, rather than something separate.”

When broken down, the rationale for Metso dipping its toe into the software development space now makes sense.

Guyot explains: “I feel we also need to go back to basics: start off with the right level of automation, sensors and analysers at site – these are the data generators. Without the optimisation of these hardware elements, the data coming back will not be accurate enough to produce valuable digital insights and analytics. This is the information that AI and machine-learning algorithms require.

“Without the right quality of data and the right domain knowledge, the outcome of these AI solutions might not be directly usable. We feel we have that domain knowledge, providing a legitimate claim to come and deploy our expertise digitally in many forms for our customers.”

The growing number of digital experts working in the Krakow office – currently estimated to be around 50 – can build these software solutions with knowledge of the underlying hardware in mind. This knowledge will come from interactions and collaborations with product and service experts, personnel at Metso Performance Centers across the globe, and more.

Geminex
Metso’s Geminex uses “first-principle” dynamic process and equipment models for calibrated performance to help provide an ‘accurate’ digital twin for existing operations

The brief for these digital designers is to focus on three key areas:

  • Equipment performance to provide digitally-enhanced Life Cycle Services (LCS), remote condition monitoring and prescriptive maintenance;
  • The process performance digital portfolio to optimise customers’ ore-to-metal operations for efficiency and sustainability; and
  • Business enablement to enhance customer experience and improve employees’ productivity within a data-driven, AI-augmented environment.

“To support these three priorities, we need to continuously develop our digital capabilities and that is what we are doing in Krakow to complement our existing capabilities,” Markku Teräsvasara, President Minerals & Deputy CEO at Metso, told IM.

Of course, the investment in this studio also reflects the industry’s continued requirement to address a growing labour and skills shortage, as well as the expected need to produce more metals for the electrification transition.

“If the industry is to produce more metals in a more sustainable and safe manner, digital solutions will be needed,” Teräsvasara added.

There is clearly an opportunity for Metso to leverage software as a market differentiator, but the move also reflects a growing sense of responsibility to in-source more of the digital supply chain.

Guyot explained: “Cyber security is not something we can delegate to anyone when it comes to servicing customers – especially with more of the information being on cloud-based platforms now.

“The Krakow Studio will allow us to responsibly develop this software hand in hand with cyber security in mind.”

And Guyot and Teräsvasara say this software development responsibility goes beyond just the Metso equipment portfolio, with customers able to also use this new software on all their equipment, irrespective of the supplier.

“Our software will be available to ourselves and our customers,” Teräsvasara said. “We will help our customers with all their equipment and performance issues, as we do with some existing LCS contracts.”

With the investment in this new Digital Design and Development studio, Metso is putting another marker down that could have positive ramifications for its customers and the wider mineral processing sector.

FLS evolving regional strategy to better serve EMEA region

Equipment maintenance, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , , , ,

Supporting mining in achieving its energy, water and emissions reduction goals, FLS says it is evolving its regional strategy for even greater impact.

Mining customers are to benefit from the stronger regional capability being developed by FLS, which is making the company even more responsive to customer needs, the OEM says.

This is one of the key outcomes of the company’s strategic evolution underway, according to Bernard Kaninda, newly appointed FLS President Sales and Service for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). As a leading full flow sheet technology company, FLS occupies a distinctive place in the market, he says, giving it a special relationship with customers.

“Being a partner through all their mineral processing requirements, FLS walks with customers throughout the lifecycle of a comprehensive range of equipment and solutions,” he says. “This engagement gives us greater impact in helping the mining industry achieve its sustainability goals.”

FLS aligns itself with industry imperatives by committing to energy and water reduction targets, and committing to reach zero emissions by 2030. To achieve these goals, Kaninda says, it was imperative to further grow the region’s capability – shifting from the previous regional definition which comprised sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and Southern Asia to a more cohesive EMEA region.

“We believe the move to an EMEA region will better create the capabilities we are looking for, combining the strengths of Africa and Europe, and our learnings in the Middle East,” Kaninda explains. “We expect to be able to respond more quickly with services, spares and equipment, and are building local resources to achieve these improvements.”

The focus on communication and partnership is being fostered through clusters within the region, which are empowered with adequate resources for quick response times and effective support for end-users.

“As a partner that tailor-makes solutions for our customers, we go further by guaranteeing the performance of that equipment,” Kaninda says. “This means being able to respond effectively as and when the situation demands, so we need to be in close proximity to the customers’ sites – and very familiar with the conditions they experience.”

The clusters in Africa ensure a strong presence in Southern African countries – including South Africa, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – as well as West Africa and North Africa. These are areas where FLS already has a significant footprint of equipment in operation.

“The mining sector is dynamic, however, so we are constantly expanding our equipment footprint and will be establishing a presence wherever we have a significant installed base,” Kaninda says. “It has always been a matter of pride for us that FLS customers will receive the same close attention irrespective of where they are around the globe.”

Streamlined logistics are an important aspect of the strategic shift, which will reduce delivery times through better availability of inventory in-country. Teams in the clusters will also facilitate faster access to service and parts.

“We are also committed to the communities in the regions where we operate, and are increasing our local employment as we develop our presence in different countries – especially in Africa,” Kaninda says. “We believe in building local capability and this is visible in our teams, in which 90-100% of staff are already local in the various clusters.”

These teams are supported by specialised training provided by facilities such as the FLS Training Academy at the Chloorkop service centre in South Africa. This well-equipped regional training hub underpins ongoing skills transfer to build the company’s skills base and succession pipeline, he says, ensuring all customers receive the same FLS experience. So successful is Chloorkop’s model of combining technical services with training, that the company plans to replicate such a facility in the Middle East.

“This will allow us to upskill youth and enhance our positive economic and social impact on the community,” he explains. “There is no reason why we shouldn’t even look at another such centre in Africa, as there is growing demand for artisans and other specialised skills.”

Africa remains vital as a provider of mineral resources for the transition to a lower carbon future, concludes Kaninda, highlighting that FLS will continue to partner with customers so that mining itself becomes more responsible to the environment and community.

Sandfire welcomes new Larox filter press at Motheo copper mine

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

Sandfire says it has successfully commissioned a Larox permanent filter press at its Motheo copper mine in Botswana, as part of a planned debottlenecking process.

On May 25, Sandfire announced that it had successfully produced first copper concentrate at Mothe, with construction of the mine nearing completion and equipment commissioning activities over 92% complete for the initial 3.2 Mt/y processing capacity.

During the initial ramp-up of the Motheo process plant in the September quarter of 2023, it was identified that the OEM filter press installed during construction was unable to achieve design parameters, the company explained in a July 22 release. An interim solution using mobile filter units was implemented, enabling the operation to safely ramp up the production of copper concentrate at planned rates and specifications.

In parallel, an $8 million capital investment secured the procurement, installation and commissioning of a Larox filter press from Metso to support the long-term operational requirements of Motheo.

Sandfire Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Brendan Harris, said: “Commissioning of the new filter press concludes a challenging period for the Motheo operations team, and I congratulate them on their hard work and ingenuity. The new filter press removes significant complexity at the ‘back end’ of our processing circuit and provides the capacity needed to test higher rates of production as we debottleneck the operation.”

Jindex

Metso boosts slurry handling offering with addition of Australia-based Jindex

Mining equipment, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, Water management, , , ,

Metso says it has signed an agreement to acquire Jindex Pty Ltd, a privately owned Australian company specialising in valves and process flow control, boosting its capacity to provide more comprehensive slurry handling solutions for the mining industry.

The company plans to combine its extensive experience and offering in slurry handling, hydrocyclones and mineral processing equipment solutions with Jindex’s valve offering as part of this transaction.

Tiago Oliveira, Head of Pumps business line at Metso, said: “This acquisition is yet another important step in the development of Metso’s Pumps business line offering to bring us closer to being our customers’ lifecycle partner of choice. Flow and isolation control play a vital role in ensuring smooth slurry handling to maximise the productivity and efficiency of minerals processing plants. In the past, we have collaborated with Jindex on many customer projects and are now glad to welcome the Jindex experts to the Metso team. Jindex has extensive expertise and strong capabilities in valve technology and control equipment, as well as in many types of slurry valve projects, and thus their products complement our offering well.”

Stephen Fowler, Managing Director, Jindex Pty Ltd, said: “This is a great development and an exciting next step. The Jindex product offering and our technical expertise in valves are an excellent addition to Metso’s Pumps business and will enable Metso to provide more extensive flow control solutions to the mining industry. We look forward to contributing our unique knowledge and experience as part of the Metso team, and providing enhanced outcomes to all our collective customers.”

Metso’s Pumps business line offers complete solutions for slurry handling and hydrocyclones, including equipment, parts, aftermarket and lifecycle services and digital services, the OEM says. The equipment offering includes slurry pumps, pipes, hoses, valves and hydrocyclones.

The acquisition is expected to be closed in August 2024. The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction value, which has no material impact on Metso’s financials.