Metso to deliver feeders to Mexican mine

Metso will deliver a significant order consisting of 38 feeders for the Mexican copper mine Buenavista del Cobre, owned by Grupo Mexico. The order will help to double the mine's capacity of copper concentrate by securing prompt copper ore feed flow in the mine extension project. The order value is over EUR 7 million.

The belt feeders will be installed at Buenavista del Cobre's Cananea copper mine, located in Sonora, in Mexico. To assist with the installation and future servicing, Metso will open a new, fully equipped service hub at the mine site.

Alejandro Castillo, Metso's capital project sales manager, commented: 'This belt feeder order follows our minerals processing equipment contract with Buenavista. The client wanted a reliable, reputable partner to secure the productivity targets of the new mine expansion.

'Our industry leading services capabilities also greatly influenced the customer's decision. In addition to the equipment delivery, we are able to provide the required services support, including the investment for a new on-site service hub.'

Delivery of the equipment to the mine will be completed during March 2014 with start-up in August 2014. The order is included in Mining and Construction's second-quarter 2013 orders received.

The belt-type feeder order comprises equipment capable of meeting all copper ore feeding challenges after the mine expansion. Five of the feeders are sized 60in x 8.5m with a capacity of 1,260 tonnes/h, eight are 60in x 8.5m with a capacity of 918 tonnes/h, eight are 72in x 15m with a capacity of 1,590 tonnes/h, and 16 are 36in x 7m with a 575 tonnes/h capacity.

The feeders will be installed as part of the copper concentrator expansion project that is targeting a capacity increase of 110,000 tonnes/day. After the project, the mine will be able to process up to 200,000 tonnes/h of copper ore daily.