Metso’s Megaliner mill lining system allows workers to remain safely out of danger during component installation..
Metso has signed a three-year life-cycle service agreement with First Quantum Minerals’ Kevitsa copper and nickel mine in Sodankylä, Finland. Metso said it is committed to reducing production downtime associated with mill liner changes and maximize grinding efficiency over the life of the contract. The value of the order was not disclosed.
Metso will be responsible for the supply, installation and optimization of the Kevitsa mine’s mill liners. Metso and Kevitsa’s common goal is to increase the mill’s availability, production efficiency and reduce the total cost of ownership so as to help increase mine profitability.
“This solution will raise our utilization rate to a new level and will contribute significantly our sustainable competitiveness in the challenging market situation,” said Timo Ikäheimonen, planning manager at Kevitsa.
As part of the life-cycle service agreement, Metso aims to increase the time between shutdowns through optimization of wear parts selection as well as decreasing the duration of shutdowns. Metso said it will reduce shutdown times through advanced planning and the delivery of its patented Megaliner grinding mill wear parts, and the Megaliner system’s fast installation process will contribute to reduced downtime. Additionally, the company pointed out, the use of Megaliner parts in grinding mills increases work safety as the attachment parts are inserted from the outside of the mill. With this setup there is no need for workers to be in the danger zone of the liners while installing liner bolts.
“With this FQM Kevitsa mine’s cooperation agreement, we aim to reduce the concentrator plant downtime, secure availability and commit ourselves to the continuous development of enhancing the plant’s operations,” said Olli Kellokumpu, sales director-Finland for Metso Minerals.
Installation will begin in the latter part of 2015.
First Quantum Minerals Ltd., with seven mines and five development projects around the world, produces copper, nickel, gold, zinc and platinum-group elements. Upon completion, its projects in Zambia, Panama and Peru will increase FQM’s annual copper production capacity to more than 1.3 million tons.