Metso and University of Queensland to develop next-generation energy-efficient minerals processing technologies in cooperation with the leading mining companies in Chile - Seite 2

"We are delighted to partner with Metso in this exciting Program. The 'Next-Generation Concentrator' will provide a step change in the energy, capital efficiency and production signatures of process plants for the global minerals industry. This initiative builds on a long-standing relationship with The University of Queensland, specifically with the Sustainable Minerals Institute, SMI-JKMRC and JKTech. Our alliance with Metso will place us on the forefront of genuine sustainability in minerals processing for the mining sector. Our time frames for implementation are aggressive and we look forward to a suite of innovation outcomes for our co-creation industry partners," states Dr. Ben Adair, Deputy Director, Sustainable Minerals Institute.

"The industry is talking about energy, water and sustainability, but, so far as we can tell, most of the activity is around incremental developments and fall well short of what is needed to efficiently exploit the ore bodies of the future (e.g. lower grades, higher hardness, finer grains). The University of Queensland is an ideal partner for us, as they have been working with the industry for many years and have assembled a kind of road map to the future, which is a very compelling vision and one that we feel is within reach. The current program embodies a number of these concepts and simultaneously aims at reducing the cash cost of production and improving capital effectiveness," comments Kenneth Brame, President, Minerals Processing Solutions business line, Mining and Construction, Metso.

"The rising energy costs, falling ore grades, use of water, and productivity are particularly important operational issues for Chilean mines. The potential of this research program to impact these areas in real-life cases is very exciting. The new program also offers Metso a great opportunity to develop an even better relationship with peers in the customer organizations and to enhance the technical capabilities of Metso in Chile," says Aldo Cermenati, SVP, Pacific Rim market area, Mining and Construction, Metso.

JKTech is the technology transfer company for the Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) of The University of Queensland (UQ). JKTech SPA is involved in SMI-ICE Chile, which is an International Center of Excellence in Mining. The center is one of the 12 centers established by the Chilean Ministry of Economy and the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO) to develop Chile as a regional innovation hub across a broad range of industries.