Metso bags contract for Lumwana copper plant equipment supply
Metso has been awarded a significant order valued at approximately 70 million euros for copper concentrator plant equipment to support the Lumwana expansion project.
The project, located in the Northwestern Province of Zambia, involves the development of an opencast mine, the construction of a copper concentrate processing plant, a transmission line from Solwezi to Lumwana, water dam and tailings storage facilities, and associated the mining of two distinct copper deposits.
Scope of contract
This expansion project is set to play a key role in Barrick Gold’s growing copper portfolio, aligning with the increasing global demand for copper, especially driven by the energy transition. Metso’s delivery will include crucial equipment for various stages of the copper concentrate production process, such as grinding, flotation, thickening, feeding, and filtration. Much of the equipment comes from Metso’s “Planet Positive” portfolio, reflecting a focus on sustainability and efficiency. The order will be included in Metso’s minerals segment’s Q3 2024 intake.
According to Barrick, the expansion at Lumwana will transform the site into one of the world’s largest copper mines, with an estimated production capacity of 240,000 tonnes of copper annually. The project also serves as a cornerstone in the revival of Zambia’s copper industry, contributing significantly to the local economy. A feasibility study on the expansion is expected by the end of this year and the estimated cost of the project is almost $2 billion.
