Metso and Loesche Partner to Advance VRM Technology in Mining

Metso Oyj has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Loesche group to accelerate the adoption of Vertical Roller Mill (VRM) technology within the mining industry. By combining Metso's expertise in mineral processing with Loesche's over 100 years of experience in VRM technology, the companies aim to remove traditional barriers and enhance the acceptance of VRM solutions for ore grinding and classification.

Metso states that VRM technology integrates grinding and classification into a single unit, reducing process complexity, equipment requirements, and the overall plant footprint. It also offers significant energy savings and reduced water consumption, making it an attractive option amidst increasing environmental regulations and energy costs.

The new partnership focuses on delivering a VRM solution optimized for the specific demands of the mining industry, thereby mitigating technical and commercial risks for projects. VRMs are considered particularly suitable for processing hard ores and can improve efficiency in existing facilities by, for instance, reducing recirculating loads and increasing throughput.

Initial reactions from the North American market have been positive, with particular interest shown for gold, copper, nickel, and rare earth element processing. The collaboration between Metso and Loesche encompasses joint research and development, testing, and go-to-market execution to ensure the technology's suitability for the demanding conditions of the mining sector.