Metso has entered into an agreement to provide a comprehensive thickener modernisation for a customer site in Chile, seeking to repower its thickeners to withstand higher throughput and operational demand, while increasing underflow density and subsequently increase water recovery.
By increasing underflow density and water recovery rates, the modernisation contributes to more sustainable mining operations while supporting customers’ water stewardship and productivity objectives, Metso says.
The total value of the order is around €16 million ($17.9 million), and it is the one of largest services orders Metso has received for a thickener modernisation.
The scope of supply includes retrofitting three Metso high-rate thickeners (belonging to the Metso Plus portfolio) by repowering them with two new Metso’s SCD 4000 drives, new mechanisms and a redesigned high performing feed system for highly efficient thickener operation. The modernisation is designed to maximise equipment use for changing conditions while improving water recovery.
Benjamin Lhorente, Vice President, Sales Chile & Argentina, Market Area South America, said: “We are pleased to continue supporting our customer’s operational development in Chile. Modernising existing thickeners is an effective way to increase process performance and meet growing production demands while maximising the value of installed assets. The project will support one of Chile’s large-scale mining operations in meeting future production requirements while maximizing the value of existing infrastructure.”
Felipe Bañados, Director, Product Sales Support, Dewatering, said: “The collaboration underscores Metso’s role as a trusted solutions partner, advances the adoption of Metso Plus technologies and reinforces strong customer relationships in the region. We believe this modernisation project will set a new industry benchmark for thickener performance, enabling more sustainable and productive mining operations.”
Metso’s comprehensive thickening and clarifying portfolio combines equipment, modernisation solutions, services and process expertise to support customers throughout the lifecycle of their operations. Drawing on decades of experience in tailings and filtration technologies, Metso supports customers with solutions that improve water recovery and help address evolving operational requirements. Modernisation solutions enable customers to upgrade existing assets with the latest technologies, adapt to changing production requirements and improve performance, resource efficiency and asset utilisation.
