Metso's services solutions will improve the operational reliability and process efficiency of Codelco's grinding process.
Metso has signed an 18-month services contract with Codelco's Chuquicamata mine. Codelco is the biggest state-owned enterprise in Chile and the world's largest producer of copper.
The contract covers changing the components to 33 ball mills currently operating in the A0 and A1 plants in the Codelco Chuquicamata mine. The work will involve changing the pinion-gear assembly as well as repairs to the shell. Metso will repair two mills per month and also take care of the continuous monitoring of the status of the equipment. The value of the new contract will not be disclosed.
"Codelco chose Metso due to our expertise in similar type of projects. Metso's specialized, high-quality services are focused on optimization and improved reliability of the mills. As a result, the customer will gain the desired return on their investment", states Eduardo Nilo, Services Director for Metso's Mining and Construction in Chile.
The agreement, which covers gear disassembly, new gear assembly, pinion assembly, gear alignment (slow rotation) and mantle repair, will take effect in April 2014. The contract will create 30 new Metso services jobs in the Northern part of Chile. The order has been included in Metso Mining and Construction's Q1 2014 orders received.
Proven track record in safety
A services supplier's safety performance is highly important for the global mining industry and an important factor behind Codelco's decision to choose Metso as a services supplier for Chuquicamata.
Metso's commitment to Health, Safety and Environment is framed through its global policy and the high standards implemented locally. As a consequence, Metso has been able to reduce the lost time incidents significantly. Our 750 employees in Chile have operated more than two years without any lost time incidents. The Association of Major Suppliers for Mining in Chile awarded Metso for its safety results in 2013.
Experience in field services
Metso has a long history of offering specialized engineering services, maintenance and emergency repairs for the mining industry through its technical team of field engineers. Metso has provided millions of solutions during its more than 40 years in Chile. Metso's solid track record in providing and optimizing customer assets as well as its deep knowledge of user technology and processes makes it one of the leading providers of integrated solutions with experience in highly complex tasks.
In 2012, Metso supplied three large MP1250 cone crushers and an automatic control system to the Chuquicamata mine.
Codelco is the largest mining company in Chile. The Chuquicamata Division operates two copper and molybdenum producing mines: Chuquicamata and Mina Sur. By excavation volume, Chuquicamata is world's largest open-pit copper mine.