Canadian mining company select Metso grinding mills

Alderon Iron Ore Corporation, along with Hebei Iron & Steel Group Co. Ltd (HBIS), have selected Metso grinding mills to deliver efficiencies and meet production goals for the joint-owned Kami iron ore project, located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

As part of the effort to secure long-lead mining and processing equipment for the project, Alderon and HBIS placed an order for two Metso grinding mills: one autogenous (AG) mill and one ball mill.

Alderon, who own 75% of the Kami Project, view this contract as an important step for the project. Tayfun Eldem, president and CEO of Alderon, explained the significance of securing Metso equipment for the plant: ‘This order is an exciting step for Alderon, as these mills are the cornerstones of our new process plant.’

Given their manufacturing and services presence in Lachine, Quebec, Metso were a clear choice for Alderon for the contract.

A majority of the ball mill (fabrication of shell, machining of mill heads and trunnions), as well as a portion of the AG mill (machining of mill heads and trunnions) will be manufactured at the Lachine facility. Plus, many key Alderon personnel had previous experience with reliable and high-quality services from the Metso team in Lachine - a factor that weighed heavily on the company's final decision.

Metso's mill delivery will help the mine reach its 8 million-ton-per-year production goal. The AG mill is 11m (36ft) in diameter and 7m (23ft) in length, with a 15 megawatt power rating. The ball mill is 6.7m (22ft) in diameter, 12.5m (41ft) long, and has a 10 megawatt power rating.

The Metso grinding mills are scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2014, with the Kami Project slated to begin production of iron ore concentrate by the end of 2015.