Metso reduces Codelco mill downtime by 64%

Metso Oyj has achieved a 64 percent reduction in downtime during maintenance of rod mills at Codelco's Chuquicamata mine in Chile. The service time for ball mills was concurrently reduced by approximately 50 percent.

Codelco, Chile's largest copper producer, contracted Metso to oversee the overhaul and component replacement for 33 grinding mills, including 21 ball mills and 12 rod mills, at its extensive open-pit mine. Metso has a history of over 40 years as a supplier to the mine.

Metso specialists were responsible for replacing pinions and gears as part of the project. Through improved work methods and deep process knowledge, service intervals were shortened. For rod mills, the required maintenance period decreased from 14 days to 5 days, a 64 percent reduction. Ball mill service time dropped from 8 days to 4 days.

The company also reported successful repairs to crusher liners, expected to ensure uninterrupted operation until the next scheduled service in 60 months. All work was conducted without accidents and received top ratings in Codelco's audits.

Roberto Escobar, Project Manager and Contract Administrator at Codelco Chuquicamata, acknowledged the high quality of Metso's work and their commitment to safety procedures.