Tag Archives: TankCell®

Metso reflects on ‘benchmark’ contract win in Chile copper space

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Metso has been awarded a major order worth some €55 million ($59 million) to deliver key concentrator equipment for a copper mining project in Chile.

The Metso delivery scope consists of high-capacity Nordberg® MP1250 secondary cone crushers, MF Series™ vibrating screens and energy-efficient Vertimill® VTM1500 regrinding mills.

For the flotation and separation circuit, Metso will supply multiple TankCell® and ColumnCell™ flotation cells featuring several of the largest available 630 cu.m TankCell units, as well as HCT™ High Compression tailing thickeners. In addition, Metso’s scope includes four MHC hydrocyclone clusters, of which two will be among the largest in the world.

Most of the products in the delivery scope are part of Metso’s Planet Positive offering.

Fernando Samanez, Vice President, Minerals Sales for South America at Metso, said: “Working together with the customer and the engineering company on an open collaborative model has been an extraordinary experience. The model enhanced the efficiency of the engineering process and contributed to the alignment of all parties on the targets set by the end customer. This will be a benchmark to be followed in similar projects all over the world.”

Minera Arqueros to use Metso equipment for copper sulphide concentrator

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Minera Arqueros S.A. has awarded Metso an order to deliver the key equipment for its greenfield copper sulphide concentrator plant project in Coquimbo, Chile.

The value of the order exceeds €10 million ($6.6 million), with the scope of delivery covering the equipment from crushing to flotation, including, for example, feeders and vibrating screens, primary, secondary and tertiary crushers, a ball mill, as well as several TankCell® and ColumnCell™flotation cells.

The grinding mill and TankCell flotation cells are part of Metso’s Planet Positive offering, thanks to their energy and water efficiency, Metso says.

Antti Rinne, Vice President, Flotation at Metso, said: “Minera Arqueros partnered with Metso already in the early stages of the project. We conducted test work for the flotation technology in our R&D Center in Pori, Finland, and supported Arqueros in the flowsheet design for the plant. We have had continuous cooperation since the start of the project, and we look forward to continuing to work with Arqueros.”

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Metso to deliver new copper conentrator in Kazakhstan

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Metso has signed a contract for the delivery of a new copper concentrator to be built in Kazakhstan, banking some €85 million ($90 million) in its Minerals segment’s September quarter 2023 orders received in the process.

The company’s scope of delivery consists of the main process equipment for grinding, flotation and dewatering and includes HIGmill® high-intensity grinding mills, TankCell® flotation cells in different sizes in the 30 to 630 cubic meter range, Larox® PF pressure filters, HRT High-Rate Thickeners, an on-line sampling and analysing system, as well as field instrumentation and Proscon® automation for the whole concentrator plant.

The flotation cells, pressure filters and high-rate thickeners are part of the company’s Planet Positive portfolio, thanks to their superior energy and water efficiency, it says.

Metso reflects on mechanical flotation technology evolution

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

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

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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 re-introduces Planet Positive TankCell flotation cells

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Metso Outotec says it is re-introducing its TankCell® offering – the largest of its kind on the market – in an effort to further provide efficient and economical plant design with high availability and reduced plant footprint for any application.

Since the 1990s, Metso Outotec has delivered nearly 8,000 TankCell flotation cells to mining customers around the world, with a size range that goes from 5 cu.m to 630 cu.m.

“The energy-efficient TankCell flotation cells are part of our Planet Positive offering and are designed to provide optimal metallurgical performance sustainably,” Antti Rinne, Vice President, Flotation at Metso Outotec. “All components, as well as electrical equipment, have been selected for maximum availability and operating life.

“When combined with the Concorde Cell™, customers can unlock the potential for even further improved performance. Higher recovery, selectivity and final concentrate grade are just a few of the benefits. On top of this, we have a comprehensive automation, services and modernisation offering to support our customers’ flotation process improvement and optimisation needs.”

TankCell units are equipped with the FloatForce® mixing mechanism, which provides improved flotation hydrodynamics and pumping performance at high air dispersion rates. Thanks to this innovative mixing mechanism, particle recovery in the flotation cell is very efficient while power consumption and the risk of sanding is reduced, according to the company.

Metso Outotec says it is working on exciting new developments in the innovative FloatForcetechnology and expects to introduce the next-generation mixing mechanisms soon.

The TankCell flotation cells come with a wide selection of froth management tools, including different types of launders, optimised level control as well as various intelligent instruments, it added.

Metso Outotec also provides a range of services for the flotation units, including, for example, flotation process assessment, flotation inspections and various types of upgrades and life-cycle services packages for the optimisation of flotation cell performance.

Metso Outotec wins major equipment order for Almalyk MOF-3 copper concentrator

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Metso Outotec says it has signed a contract to deliver key process technology to Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Company’s MOF3 copper-gold-molybdenum concentrator complex in Almalyk, in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan.

The planned capacity of the plant, which is situated next to the Yoshlik-1 deposit, is 60 Mt/y, with the contract value exceeding €100 million ($107 million).

Metso Outotec’s scope of delivery consists of the basic engineering, manufacturing, and supply of the HIGMill® regrinding mills, TankCell® flotation equipment and high-rate thickeners, FrothSense+™ froth cameras, Larox® PF filters, slurry pumps and MHC™ Series hydrocyclones, as well as samplers, Courier™ 6X SL elemental on-line analysers and PSI500i particle size analysers, a state-of-the-art process control system, and installation and commissioning advisory services and spare parts.

Markku Teräsvasara, President of the Minerals business area at Metso Outotec, said: “We are very happy for being trusted with this landmark order.

“Special emphasis has been put on optimising metallurgical performance and energy efficiency of the concentrator plant. Our delivery will feature several Planet Positive technologies contributing to sustainable operations,” says .

Metso Outotec’s Concorde Cell flotation tech to recover fine and ultra-fine particles

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Metso Outotec says it is launching its groundbreaking Concorde Cell™ flotation technology to provide efficient fine and ultra-fine particle recovery.

This Planet Positive technology sets a new benchmark in high-intensity pneumatic flotation, reducing plant operation costs and contributing to sustainability of operations through minimised energy and water consumption per tonnes of metal produced, the OEM said.

Back in August, Metso Outotec said it would supply Concorde Cell technology to a “major nickel producer” in Western Australia as part of its concentrator modernisation. It later turned out that this was for BHP Nickel West at the Mount Keith operation where the concentrator capacity is being increased from 10.5 Mt/y to 12 Mt/y, and ultimately 15 Mt/y.

The patented Metso Outotec Concorde Cell technology is the first fine and ultra-fine flotation solution for more finely disseminated and complex orebodies that have previously been inaccessible, according to the company.

Antti Rinne, Vice President, Flotation at Metso Outotec, said: “The need to process more finely disseminated and complex ore grades, as well as the declining ore grades and the demand for improved flotation selectivity, all bring new challenges to minerals processing flowsheets. The new Concorde Cell technology helps flotation circuits overcome these challenges and recover the previously unachievable ore value.”

The Concorde Cell forced-air Blast Tubes treat 100% of fresh feed combined with tailings recycling for improved performance, allowing, Metso Outotec, says finer grinding to get extra liberation without the risk of valuable particles lost into tailings. It also provides a very high shear environment with increased bubble surface area flux for faster flotation kinetics, plus optimised froth recovery and improved selectivity, the company said.

“Combining the well-proven TankCell® technology with Concorde Cells is a low-risk and high-benefit approach for minerals processing flowsheets,” Rinne said. “The cell produces very high shear and extremely fine bubbles, which increases recovery in particles under 20 microns.”

The offering also includes Blast Tube retrofit kits for upgrading the metallurgical performance of self-aspirated pneumatic flotation cells to the Concorde Cell technology. In addition, Metso Outotec says it can provide a complete slurry handling package for the Concorde Cell, including pumps, spare parts, as well as optimisation and maintenance services.

Outotec mineral process equipment destined for Okvau gold project

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Outotec says it has been awarded a contract from Renaissance Minerals, a subsidiary of Emerald Resources, for the delivery of process equipment to the greenfield Okvau gold project, in Cambodia.

The order value, booked into Outotec’s 2020 March quarter order intake, is around €13 million ($14.2 million).

Outotec’s scope includes the delivery of an Outotec HIGmill® high intensity grinding mill, a semi-autogenous (SAG) mill, TankCell® flotation cells, an OKTOP® Conditioner, thickeners and spare parts.

The Okvau gold project is in the Mondulkiri province of eastern Cambodia. The 2 Mt/y operation will be the first large-scale mining project in the country, according to Outotec, with project commissioning expected in the June quarter of 2021.

Last year, ASX-listed mining contractor, MACA, entered into a memorandum of understanding with a subsidiary of Emerald Resources to supply equipment and contract mining services at the project.

Paul Sohlberg, Head of Outotec’s Minerals Processing business, said: “We are pleased to be part of Cambodia’s first significant gold processing project with Emerald’s highly credentialed gold project development team.

“Outotec’s leading technologies such as energy efficient ultrafine grinding, proven flotation technology for low grade sulphide ore and superior thickening technology, enable our customer to do profitable business sustainably. This order will strengthen Outotec’s position as a supplier of advanced minerals processing technologies in Southeast Asia.”