Metso is set to deliver crushing, grinding, automation, and pump plant equipment to South32’s Hermosa project in southern Arizona, US.
The scope of delivery includes a Nordberg HP pebble crusher, Vertimill regrind mills, Courier on-stream analysers, PSI particle size analysers, LSA and MSA samplers, VF series vertical froth pumps, MD series mill discharge pumps, Orion series slurry pumps, and VS Series sump pumps.
Some of the equipment booked under this agreement is part of the Metso Plus portfolio, which is considered to be more energy- or water-efficient than the industry benchmark.
“Metso’s sustainable plant equipment technologies are designed for ease of use and operation,” Metso vice president pumps business line Tiago Oliveira said.
“For example, Metso offers a wide range of industry proven Metso Plus pumps technologies that continually improve operational efficiency, offer environmental benefits, and establish us as a trusted asset lifecycle partner for South32.”
Metso previously delivered grinding plant equipment from its Metso Plus offering to Hermosa in 2024.
Metso vice president sales in North and Central America Tim Robinson said the company is pleased to support South32 again in supplying critical minerals in the US.
“We are committed to supporting South32 in this endeavour with our Metso Plus equipment and our expanding service repair facility in Mesa, Arizona,” Robinson said.
In February 2024, South32 reached a final investment decision to approve development of the Taylor critical minerals deposit that sits within Hermosa. Production is expected to commence in the second half of the 2026–27 financial year (FY27).
South32 invested $US248 million in Hermosa during the first half of FY25 to progress construction of the Taylor deposit. Another $US16 million went towards capitalised exploration at Hermosa.
“We invested to grow our future production during the period, as we continued construction of our large-scale, long-life Taylor zinc-lead-silver project at Hermosa in Arizona, United States, and expanded our pipeline of copper exploration options in highly prospective regions,” Kerr said.
Subscribe to Australian Mining and receive the latest news on product announcements, industry developments, commodities and more.
