Metso Outotec experts discussed the financial, environmental, and operational advantages of these products and shared their applications. Additionally, some of our biggest customers like Grupo México, Peñoles, and Fresnillo nominated equipment operators to talk about their experiences with the application of the products. All provided a positive review and highlighted the improvements seen since the implementation.
The Metso Outotec Megaliner, for example, has helped customers improve maintenance efficiency. Buena Vista de Cobre, a Grupo México site, was experiencing prolonged downtime which was reduced from 7 to 4 days with the implementation of Megaliner. Moreover, a lighter lining weight offered noticeable energy savings. Megaliner also improved grinding efficiency as the liner design optimizes the process of lifting the grinding equipment to create a cascade effect. As a result, the wear life of the liner was extended by 50 percent.
The process of grinding, mill lining, and pumping is crutial for a mining operation as it represents approximately 3 percent of the global energy consumption. Optimizing these circuits through the implementation of innovative technologies and strategies is essential to reduce economic and environmental impact in this critical stage of the mining comminution.
One successful case is found at the Madero project, owned by Grupo Peñoles, where the challenge was to increase grinding efficiency. The solution used was the Metso Outotec Poly-Met, which provided a 6 percent improvement in specific energy consumption, a significant reduction in the mill’s bearing pressure of approximately 30 percent, a 45 percent weight reduction. Additionally, the total charge inside the mill increased by around 4 percent.
To offer the best solution, we monitor grinding and lining performance to evaluate and optimize the liner design and provide a customized application. Understanding the operating conditions and the plant's targets, almost always makes it possible to improve performance, safety, and sustainability. For example, liners can be designed to last longer and use less material resulting in less waste. Liners and the entire grinding circuit can be optimized to increase effiency and reduce energy consumption.
We are the market leader in sustainable solutions for comminution, which fall under our Planet Positive portfolio. The portfolio has over 120 sustainable products and services that are demonstrably more energy or water efficient than the market standard. The Planet Positive portfolio, which also includes downstream technology, is planned to grow faster than the rest of their technology. 100 perfcent of our research and development budget goes towards solutions that have a sustainability improvement target related to energy, emissions, water, circularity, or safety.
Interview with MEXICO BUSINESS, first published on mexicobusiness.news.
