Mining solutions provider Metso Outotec has signed a landmark contract for the delivery of an iron-ore beneficiation and travelling grate pelletising plant to an Africa-based project.

The parties have agreed to not disclose the value of the contract.

“This new greenfield plant is the first integrated beneficiation and pelletising plant we are delivering globally.

“It will feature Metso Outotec’s sustainable proprietary technology, such as low nitrogen oxide burners to minimise emissions in the process, as well as state-of-the-art digital solutions, including our Optimus process optimiser and a green pellet-size control system,”says Metso Outotec metals business area president Jari Ålgars.

Metso Outotec’s scope of delivery includes the engineering and supply of key process equipment for the beneficiation and pelletising plant.

In addition, Metso Outotec will provide site supervision and commissioning services and deliver automation and training for the project. Metso Outotec conducted early engineering works for the plant in 2020, Ålgars comments.

Meanwhile, Metso Outotec will also supply multiple Planet Positive Vertimill grinding mills to Switzerland-based iron-ore company Ferrexpo’s mine in Ukraine.

It will deliver multiple energy-efficient Vertimill VTM-3000 stirred mills – expected to be the largest of their kind.

Once the mills have been installed, Ferrexpo’s iron-ore beneficiation complex will be the largest VTM installation on the continent. The typical value for this type of an order is in the range of €30-million to €40-million, depending on the scope of delivery.

The company explains that the Vertimill technology is part of the Planet Positive offering, and it provides the lowest total cost of ownership, compared with other grinding mills in many applications owing to its high energy efficiency, reduced media consumption, low installation cost, minimal liner wear and maintenance.

In addition, it is capable of handling feed sizes of up to 6 mm and grinding to product sizes of 30 μm or less. Vertimill is available in standard mill sizes ranging from 15 hp (11 kW) to 4 500 hp (3 352 kW).