What equipment does Metso provide to the mining industry and how do you support clients?

We supply technology to the aggregates and minerals mining sector, covering the entire value chain, from crushing and milling to flotation, recovery, filtration and tailings management. We are also involved in hydrometallurgy, which is particularly important in the processing of copper and lithium. Additionally, we operate in smelting and acid plants.

Along with the equipment, we have a strong focus on service. For most of what we sell, we enter into long-term service agreements with our customers to help them achieve optimal performance. We are adding and upgrading service centers, including our service center in Mesa, Arizona—a key area for copper mining. The expansion will take place in two parts. First, we are expanding the footprint to better support our customers. Second, we are opening Metso Academy, a dedicated training center equipped with a wide range of hands-on learning tools. Training facilities such as the Metso Academy are critical to closing the gap between sophisticated equipment and the workforce that must operate and maintain it.

What does your partnership with South32 tell us about the key requirements for future projects?

At South32’s Hermosa project, as with most mining projects today, remote locations make modular design essential. We offer modular, extended-scope solutions around our equipment. For example, our crushing stations are built in modules that are fully containerized. The same applies to some of our hydrometallurgical technologies, which can be transported by truck, allowing us to have a plant up and running in as little as 10 to 12 days. It is a big advantage for remote projects.

How does Metso approach partnerships with customers and engineering firms?

We are noticing an increasing number of end customers looking to establish partnerships early on, even at the project’s inception. We are also forming partnerships that include engineering companies. In some cases, we provide a defined scope based on our technology expertise and test work. We recently relocated our testing lab in Manchester, Pennsylvania, to accommodate more equipment, which allows us to work directly with customers on test work before the EPCMs even come on board. That early collaboration helps us explore different process options together. Once a project moves forward, it is important to have the EPCM involved for the full execution and construction phase, which is why we see real value in these three-way partnerships between ourselves, the EPCs, and the end-customers.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing mining projects in North America?

Many major projects are happening simultaneously, including big chip manufacturing plants around Phoenix, which are drawing a significant number of skilled workers away from the mining industry. Permitting is another ongoing challenge across North America. However, we are seeing some improvements with initiatives like the FAST-41 track.

Another major issue is capital cost. Copper projects, in particular, are costly because of their size and lower ore grades. We are talking about multi-billion-dollar developments. The technology itself is pretty standard, although we continually find ways to improve energy efficiency; the real challenge is scaling it up. On the other hand, gold projects are generally smaller, making them easier to move forward with. However, for copper, large companies that can fund projects internally still have to prioritize and manage cash flow. They might have several projects ready to go, but only enough capital to move one or two ahead at a time.

How would you describe the current level of activity in mining, and what will be Metso’s priorities in the upcoming years?

Things have picked up after the summer, and we are seeing a lot of activity. The big question is which projects will actually get funded? We will always focus on the customer, as we strive to stay customer-centric, supporting our clients and helping them keep their plants running efficiently, ensuring they achieve maximum availability and throughput. Another key part of our role is helping customers achieve their ESG goals, ensuring they have the right technology and services, and operate more sustainably and responsibly. Metso’s priorities will continue to be to drive energy-efficient, low-water processing and to expand lifecycle services and digital offerings; effectively shifting from a product supplier to a true outcomes partner.