Provider to supply tech to Botswana project

21st May 2021

Mining technology and service provider Metso Outotec has signed a contract to deliver all of the main process technologies for TSX-listed mining and exploration company Sandfire Resources’ flagship Motheo copper/silver concentrator, in Botswana.

The order value of about €17-million was booked in Metso Outotec’s minerals segment in the first quarter of 2021.

The 3.2-million-tonne-a-year greenfield plant will be built in the Kalahari Copperbelt, in Botswana, with the potential to expand to 5.2-million tonnes a year, in the future.

Metso Outotec will deliver all key minerals processing equipment, including gyratory and pebble crushers, apron feeders, semiautogenous mill and the associated reline machine, TankCellflotation cells, Vertimillfine grinding mill, high rate thickeners, and a pressure filter.

Additionally, spare parts and supervisory services will be supplied to support commissioning and plant ramp-up. Delivery will take place during 2021 and 2022, with the plant expected to start production in late 2022 or early 2023.

“We are pleased to continue our strategic partnership with Sandfire Resources. We have worked with Sandfire in the past and are very grateful to be selected again for their flagship Motheo project. “Our proven proprietary and sustainable technologies willsupport Sandfire with achieving their international growth and diversification strategy,” saysMetso Outotec Asia Pacific minerals sales VP Kai Rönnberg.