HIGH PROFILE
Downstream processes benefit from improved mineral liberation and steeper particle size distribution with the Metso Loesche VRM
expensive and more complicated plant to build. We always strive to make things more simple and not more complicated, so for example, while we offer primary, secondary and in some cases tertiary HPGRs – we don’ t need to recommend complicated multi-stage HPGR processes, which in our view result in high cost and footprint as well as operational complexity. The simpler the process the easier it is to maintain in most cases – and the easier it is to achieve maximum availability. We have many recent cases where we have been successful with technology combinations achieving exactly this. And when a mining client is planning on a dry process, it is a no brainer to use this Metso Loesche VRM technology – for all the reasons we have given. Then there are the mentioned benefits in the downstream processes, so that is a complete game changer as well. So, we are excited to get this innovative technology into mining flowsheets as it fits our Metso philosophy perfectly.
Q Mining groups and to some extent EPCMs are known for being conservative and opting to often stick with tried and tested conventional approaches. How will they be convinced?
RZ Mining needs to do things better than it has done in the past. And finance is part of that. A major challenge for mining customers today is first they need to get the project off the ground financially. So, they need to consider not just the process but the capital that is involved in all this. The Metso Loesche VRM offers a lot of advantages at less or similar CAPEX compared to conventional comminution circuits. Another aspect is that it is harder to find skilled
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people for roles in mineral processing operations – and that is not going to get any easier. The Metso Loesche VRM can be run autonomously or with a high degree of automation. The Metso Loesche VRM offers a compact footprint and simplicity in the flowsheet combined with the lack of grinding media, reduced energy costs, reduction or
The Metso Loesche VRM classifier section
elimination of water and better performance of downstream steps.
CH Maintainability is another point I want to make – when we looked for a VRM partner, something that struck us was how much emphasis has been put onto the maintainability of this equipment by Loesche and the long history they have of operating often very large VRMs in the cement sector with minimal unscheduled downtime. From smaller up to large VRMs, Loesche is consistently delivering 50 to 60 mills every year. Plus, when we looked into some of the materials their VRMs were already handling – such as blast furnace slag, the abrasiveness of the material is not so much different to some of the more challenging mining applications that we could encounter – magnetite ores for example.
Q What convinced Loesche this was the right move into mining with Metso as the partner? And how will front facing sales work with mining customers?
RZ We talked with Metso for over a year quite intensively on this agreement and their commitment like us to sustainability really stood out. Not only that but it is clear in the market they are a leader not only in market share in many key areas but also in technological innovation and development – flotation being a great example in both fine and coarse particle flotation innovations they have developed. Additionally, as part of the negotiations we really experienced the teams on both sides working well together – they understand each other and we are already working like one organisation on this project. And finally, we are a family company and so we have a long-term vision – we are in this for the long haul, so we wanted a long term and committed partner – it was clear to us that Metso was offering us that.
CH As to the question on sales, Metso will take the lead with sales and contracts as well as the marketing – customers will still see us as their contact point just as they would with our other product lines. This also makes sense given our existing installed base in mining and our global network in mining hubs – including related to service and aftermarket. But in terms of the project based technical work and the wider flowsheet, Loesche will be a close partner and in that way, we will work as one team. Loesche retains the VRM IP and the equipment will also continue to be manufactured by Loesche – though there may be opportunities to carry out assembly and other works at global Metso centres, and to utilise Metso facilities for liner and component production as already stated. We are just starting on this journey so to some extent we will learn as we go, but this is the starting point.
International Mining | MAY 2026