Metso Outotec has been awarded an order to deliver two Planet Positive Premier grinding mills with a total installed power of 50MW to Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia.

The order for the two large horizontal grinding mills was placed by Canadian-based First Quantum Minerals (FQM), who are currently working on the mine’s expansion including a standalone 25Mtpa processing plant that will increase copper production substantially.

“To meet the need for efficient and fast replacement of the lining systems, as well as ensuring a long wear life, the ball mill will be equipped with the Metso Outotec Megaliner and the SAG mill will be equipped with Metso Outotec metallic mill lining and a high-performance discharge system,” the company said in a statement.

In June 2022, Komatsu said it was looking to expand autonomous technology on haul trucks by 2024.

FQM’s Kansanshi mine, located near Solwezi in the North-western Province of Zambia, is already amongst the largest copper mines in the world and the largest in Africa. The grinding mills provide “advanced user-friendly operations, main bearing systems, high availability and ease of maintenance,” the firm said.

Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, the company provides sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally.

In July 2022, Cummins and Komatsu said they were collaborating on zero-emissions mining haul trucks, while later in the month, Sandvik said it had completed testing of Cat HVO capable engines on mining and construction equipment.