Aiming to significantly improve the quality of iron ore produced, Metso is to deliver a complete minerals processing system to Ferrexpo Poltava Mining Co in Ukraine. The value of the order is €67 million, including two previously signed orders worth €36 million. Metso's delivery of minerals processing equipment includes high-capacity vertical grinding mills, flotation cells, magnetic separators, pumps and crushing and screening system. In addition to equipment, the contract includes installation and commissioning supervision as well as a tailor-made automation process control system.
"Metso and Ferrexpo have cooperated for more than 30 years. The target of Metso's delivery is to help Ferrexpo Poltava to raise the iron content in pellets to 65% Fe total and thus enhance the company's competitiveness in global markets. In 2009, Metso and Ferrexpo signed a life-cycle service agreement for the pumps operated at the mine site," notes Alexy Strikha, Country Manager of Metso Mining and Construction in Ukraine. Metso's equipment deliveries to the Poltava mine will be completed by the end of 2014.
One of the key product types delivered to Ferrexpo Poltava is the VERTIMILL - 10 VERTIMILL VTM1500 vertical grinding mills form part of the order. Since its introduction in late 1979, close to 400 VERTIMILL grinding mills have been sold worldwide. Metso states: "The high-capacity vertical grinding mill has proven to be a versatile tool with many advantages over traditional ball milling. In comparison to ball mills, vertical mills can perform the same amount of grinding with 30 to 50% less energy. They also require less space and have significantly lower grinding media consumption. The minerals processing equipment also include 19 RCS130 flotation cells, 32 LIMS WS1236CTC flotation cells and 59 pumps.