Metso is set to deliver grinding plant equipment to South32’s Hermosa project in southern Arizona, US.
Under the agreement, Metso will deliver a Premier primary autogenous grinding (AG) mill and a Vertimill VTM-4500 secondary grinding mill to Hermosa. The company also has potential to supply other comminution and beneficiation process equipment technologies to the greenfield site.
“Metso’s broad grinding technology portfolio offers the best tool for the job,” Metso grinding senior vice president Christoph Hoetzel said.
“In this case, primary grinding utilising an AG mill eliminates steel media usage and the Vertimill in secondary grinding and regrinding improves energy efficiency and reduces steel media consumption.”
The Premier AG mill and the Vertimill grinding mill are part of Metso’s planet positive range.
Metso defines ‘planet positive’ as products and services that are distinctive from a sustainability perspective, address customers’ sustainability needs, and build on its competitive advantages.
Metso’s ‘planet positive’ portfolio is considered to be more energy- or water-efficient than the industry benchmark, and is made up of over 100 products.
It was announced earlier this year that South32 has reached a final investment decision to approve development of the Taylor critical minerals deposit that sits within Hermosa.
The development will cost the major miner $US2.16 billion, with production expected to commence in the second half of the 2026–27 financial year.
“We are very pleased to be supporting South32 in their development focus to supply critical minerals like zinc and manganese in the USA,” Metso vice president, minerals sales in North and Central America Tim Robinson said.
“We are committed to supporting South32 in this endeavour with our planet positive offering and our large service group in Arizona.”
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