Metso, now operating within the merged Metso Outotec legacy of mineral processing innovation, is a key strategic partner for Somincor’s Neves-Corvo mine, supplying the core technologies that enabled the dramatic scale-up of zinc processing capacity. As the primary equipment provider for the Zinc Expansion Project (ZEP), Metso’s systems underpin both the mine’s operational throughput and its environmental performance, making them indispensable to the operation’s modernization and competitive positioning in Europe.
Role & Contribution at Neves-Corvo
During the ZEP, Metso delivered a suite of integrated mineral processing solutions, including:
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High-capacity crushers to optimize feed preparation while improving wear life and reliability.
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Energy-efficient grinding mills designed to reduce power consumption while maintaining fine liberation of zinc and copper minerals.
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Advanced flotation cells engineered to maximize recovery rates, enabling higher concentrate grades with lower reagent use.
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Filtration systems to dewater tailings and concentrates effectively, supporting downstream logistics and minimizing water usage in processing.
These systems collectively allowed Somincor to double zinc processing capacity (from approximately 1.1 to 2.5 million tonnes per year) while improving energy intensity and recovery metrics. The deployment of Metso’s technology was a cornerstone in making Neves-Corvo one of Europe’s leading zinc producers, delivering both volume and quality in concentrate output.
Technical and Sustainability Differentiators
Metso’s process equipment emphasizes energy efficiency and lifecycle value—critical for a high-throughput operation in a region where operational costs and ESG performance drive investment decisions. Features include:
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Smart mill control systems that adapt to ore variability in real time, optimizing grind size versus energy use.
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Low-slurry recirculation designs that minimize water demand.
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Robust mechanical designs reducing unplanned downtime and maintenance interventions.
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Digital monitoring and predictive maintenance to foresee wear and adjust operating parameters, enhancing asset longevity.
These capabilities align tightly with Somincor’s sustainability ambitions: reduced electricity demand per tonne processed, optimized water usage, and consistent, high-quality output that minimizes waste.
Value Delivered
Metso’s involvement enabled Somincor to turn potential resource into reliable production growth. The ZEP’s success—evidenced by the surge in zinc concentrate output—was built on Metso’s hardware and process integration excellence. The increased capacity supports the mine’s economic resilience, while the energy and water efficiencies improve margins and fortify the operation’s environmental credentials.
Strategic Fit for Executives & Investors
For infrastructure investors and mining executives, Metso represents the kind of industrial partner that scales both performance and sustainability. Their solutions at Neves-Corvo demonstrate how capital investment in best-in-class processing technology pays back through higher throughput, lower operating costs, and stronger ESG alignment. Metso’s track record of collaboration, technical support, and system integration makes it a linchpin in the “Partners in Progress” ecosystem at Somincor.
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