PUMPS & PIPELINES
LCS and mining pumps
IM caught up with Roshan Kadanthode, Metso Vice President, Pumps Services and Aftermarket to talk about LCS in the context of pumps specifically
Are LCS type solutions new to the mining pumps market?
Life Cycle Services( LCS) are not new in the mining pumps market. However, we are seeing a clear shift towards performance based lifecycle solutions and partnerships. Historically, pumps were serviced largely as standalone assets. Today, customers expect measurable plant-level outcomes such as improved availability, longer wear life, reduced downtime, and lower total cost of ownership. Depending on the application and the site’ s operating conditions, structured lifecycle partnerships can deliver improvements such as up to 5-10 % higher equipment availability, 15-25 % longer wear life and 20-30 % reduction in unplanned maintenance events. With Metso LCS, the focus shifts from asset-level maintenance to flowsheet-level performance, integrating pumps, cyclones, valves, and hoses with overall process performance. This allows us to deliver sustained performance across the operation. This reflects a broader industry shift from equipment supply toward long-term performance partnerships.
How have mining pumps traditionally been serviced after installation?
Traditionally, mining pumps have often been treated as commodity equipment, with service largely reactive or limited to scheduled maintenance. In many operations, multiple service providers are involved, which can lead to fragmented responsibilities, increased downtime, cost overruns and inconsistent performance. By introducing clear accountability, structured lifecycle management, and integrated service across critical process equipment, LCS offers outcome-based performance, where success is measured through availability, reliability, and cost per tonne in some cases. We are seeing this model deliver the greatest value in critical process circuits, where equipment uptime and process stability have a direct impact on plant productivity and profitability.
Are you seeing the demand for LCS contracts for pumps coming primarily from mining customers or from contractors, or a combination of both?
The strongest demand is coming from mining customers, particularly those focused on improving uptime, reducing operating costs, and creating more predictable maintenance
Metso also introduced its innovative Life Cycle Services( LCS) for pumps availability in autumn 2025 models. However, we are seeing growing interest from EPCs, especially where performance guarantees or operational commitments form part of the scope. In these cases, LCS offers opportunities to minimise operational risk by ensuring structured support, clear technical accountability, and defined performance outcomes over the life of the asset. Both mining customers and EPCs are seeking long-term performance partners with shared accountability, moving beyond traditional supplier relationships and more toward outcomedriven agreements.
In terms of demand by project type – is it likely to be dominated by longer pipelines with multiple pump sets and stations, or large grinding circuits- as opposed to smaller installations?
The demand is not simply shifting toward larger or smaller installations; rather, it is increasingly focused on critical process applications where reliability directly impacts production and cost. There is growing interaction and investment particularly in greenfield and expansion projects as mining operations move to more remote locations and require efficient transport of higher volumes over longer distances. However, interest is strongest in critical applications, such as grinding circuits, where large slurry pumps operate in close interaction with mills. In these applications, pump availability has a direct impact on mill availability and overall plant throughput.
What role does or will remote sensors and digitalisation play in delivering LCS for pumps?
Digitalisation is a core enabler of outcome-based LCS, evolving from simple condition monitoring to predictive and prescriptive maintenance. Today, LCS integrates Data Driven Condition Monitoring( DDCM) with predictive failure analytics to anticipate issues before downtime occurs, and prescriptive recommendations that guide what actions to take, when, and why. This approach delivers measurable impact, such as reduction in unplanned failures, improvements in energy efficiency and has demonstrated significant reductions in total cost of ownership, faster issue resolution, as well as a reduction in operational disturbances. However, digital does not operate in isolation, with our extensive footprint & expertise across the globe, DDCM feeds directly into service planning and execution, as well as integrating into customer systems such as Computerised Maintenance Management Systems for better shutdown planning, optimised spare parts management, and more informed decision-making. Pump condition monitoring is part of the Metso Plus portfolio, with a strong focus on sustainability.
Enhanced safety is provided through standardised procedures, purpose-built tools, and fewer unplanned interventions. Optimised parts availability comes through commitment-based stocking, while predictable, long-term field service support is backed by Metso’ s global pump expertise.
Cornell Pump’ s 80th Anniversary
April 1, 2026 marked Cornell Pump Company’ s 80th anniversary. What began in 1946 as a small service operation in Portland, Oregon; a team with deep hands-on knowledge of why pumps fail and the parts inventory to fix them, has grown into one of the most trusted names in centrifugal pump manufacturing in the world.
The Cornell story began on May 1, 1946, when five forward-thinking employees from the Pacific Pump Company decided to strike out on their own. Operating initially as a service department, the founders
58 International Mining | JUNE 2026