Metso has continued to push the boundaries of its Nordberg HPe crusher series through another expansion of the crushing range.
The HPe range was introduced by Metso in 2023 and in just two years, has grown to six models which encompass crushing solutions from secondary to tertiary and quaternary crushing.
The HPe is an evolution of the Nordberg HP cone crusher technology. Since being released by Metso has seen more than 200 units sold globally while old HP models have been retrofitted with HPe upgrade kits.
“With the latest addition of the Nordberg HPe crusher series, we are able to offer customers the ideal balance of power and efficiency for their specific crushing needs,” Metso HP cones product manager Ilkka Somero said.
“The HP450e, as a mid-range unit, is designed for customers who require reliable, high-capacity crushing without excessive energy consumption.
“With this unit, we have further improved its application flexibility so that customers get the maximum production and yield of wanted end products.”
Metso showcased the sixth model of the HPe series, the HP450e, at bauma 2025 in Munich, Germany. Attendees to the trade show were able to witness a launch event for the HP450e.
According to Metso, the HP450e has 10 per cent more head motion, 13 per cent more power and 20 per cent more force than its predecessor model. The new chamber design makes it more efficient while the head spin brake enables higher uptime and it is a more environmentally friendly solution due to backing material not being required.
Somero said the market response to the new HPe models highlights a clear industry shift toward higher efficiency, safety and sustainability in crushing operations.
Metso offers upgrade options for customers with earlier generation HP crushers. Many of the new HPe features can be applied to existing units through upgrades, including no-backing liners that reduce maintenance downtime, a redesigned split nut for improved safety and easier maintenance, and a crusher head spin brake that extends liner life.
Additionally, most spare and wear parts from the HPe series are compatible with HP crushers, providing cost-effective and operational benefits for mixed fleets.
With these six HPe crushers, a wide range of 10 different chamber profiles, advanced simulation software, and Metso’s expertise, customers can optimise their operations and achieve their production targets. Designed for versatility, Metso’s HPe crushers can be configured for various applications, from wheel-mounted Nordwheeler setups to modular Nordplant installations and track-mounted Lokotrack units.
Metso has pushed ahead with a new evolution of its HP range, introducing the HP350e and other models for crushing operators.
How do you evolve a recognised brand to become even better?
That question challenged Metso as it sought to develop the Nordberg HP, which was reviewing the classic workhorse from the “ground up.” The result is the Nordberg HPe.
The Nordberg HPe series aims to provide improved performance, uptime, application coverage, and serviceability more sustainably than its predecessor.
“Nordberg HP cone crushers are globally accepted as the go-to crusher for aggregates and mining,” Metso’s cone crusher product range Ilkka Somero said.
“The range continues to evolve and align with customer and industry needs and demands. Today there are drivers pushing for ever higher efficiency in productivity. In terms of overall production but also in terms of production of most valuable product fractions.
“In HPe development, this is achieved with higher overall performance, higher uptime with ease of service and maintenance as well as with enhanced application flexibility.”
When Metso examined the key mining and aggregates industries it serves worldwide, it noticed efficiency is the central focus of many operations. Quarry and mining businesses are looking to achieve maximum performance in throughput, reduction, or higher yield of certain aggregate fractions.
The new Nordberg HPe series needed to meet all of these requirements while also addressing the sustainability challenges that many businesses face every day.
Metso has further developed the kinematical crushing action and crusher chamber. The improvements balance kinematics, chambers, release force, and power rating. The redesign enables the HPe series to deliver more head motion, higher power, and new chambers. The upgrades of the kinetics enable the Nordberg HPe series to cover more applications than previous models.
Operators will have alternative kinetics along with improved chamber designs and application-specific options to select from. Metso’s team can assist customers in creating the optimal chamber for their needs.
According to Metso’s data, the new HP350e crusher delivers ten per cent performance compared to the traditional HP300 crusher in secondary or tertiary applications.
“Our development engineers and manufacturing facilities have provided a full range of eRange cones from 200 to 900kW, following a full redesign of a classic workhorse. We are excited to bring these products to the market to increase our customer’s bottom line,” Metso’s business development manager for aggregates, John O’Reilly, said.
“The evolution enables us to meet industry needs where you want more production and, more importantly, more efficiency when producing the needed product yields.”
One of the major upgrades in the HPe series involves the crusher liners. Metso’s latest update allows for the installation of these liners without backing material. While this may seem minor, the update significantly simplifies liner changes, making them easier and safer for operators.
Metso will feature the HPe range at international trade shows throughout 2025. Image: Metso
This reduces the need for quarries to source, store and transport backing compounds. Operators will also not need to handle, mix and pour the backing material, making operations safer and line change-outs faster. Metso can also tailor the liners to suit particular applications, including manufactured sand or specific aggregate fractions with its NF liner.
The anti-spin brake and ring bounce monitoring feature help extend the lifespan of the liners while also safeguarding the machine.
These upgrades will help operators increase machine uptime and productivity in the quarry. Metso has designed the HPe range, including the HP350e, to fit within the HP300 footprint while delivering more power.
“It is an evolution, but it is not just that we’ve put more power onto the machine and redesigned the cavity kinematics; there are more safety features, which is very important and simpler maintenance,” O’Reilly said.
“It has the same footprint as its predecessors. For example, the HP450e replaces the existing HP400 but is the same size on the outside. Because it is the same size envelope, there is no extra structural work to replace it. You can switch one in and one out.”
The HPe series is set to be unveiled progressively throughout the year by Metso at the world’s biggest quarrying trade shows.
The original equipment manufacturer is set to launch the HP450e at AGG-1 in St Louis. Attendees to bauma 2025 in Munich, Germany, can witness the debut of the HP600e. Other launches with the Nordberg HPe range will include the 600e later in 2025.
Metso’s Australian team and service and support network will fully support the introduction of the HPe series into Australia. With extensive industry experience, the team can help optimise a Nordberg HPe series crusher to suit the customer’s application.
“Metso is strongly focused on supporting the Australian quarry industry with world-class aggregate-producing solutions. The Nordberg HPe range is the evolution we believe our customers have been asking for,” O’Reilly said. •
Sandvik showcases innovative rock processing technology at bauma 2025
Sandvik is showcasing its latest lineup of eco-efficient rock processing solutions at bauma 2025, designed to address the increasing demand for safe, efficient, reliable and cost-effective operations.
According to Richard Harris, President of Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions, digitalisation is a cornerstone of innovation, significantly enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of crushing and screening operations.
“Not only is our latest equipment easier to operate, manage, maintain, and service, but it also contributes to our industry’s desire to reduce its environmental impact,” Harris said. “Through our close partnerships with customers and unwavering focus on innovation, we are shaping a future where rock processing is both eco-efficient, productive and profitable.”
Sandvik vibrating screens and feeders are now available with ACS-s, Sandvik’s next-generation condition monitoring system. Image/Sandvik
The Sandvik 800i cone crusher series reflects the company’s commitment to continuous evolution in design, materials and technology. Integrated with the ACS-c 5 automation system, these models combine robust mechanical design with powerful, user-friendly automation, supporting diverse operational needs. ACS-c 5 provides valuable operational insights, enabling smoother operations and improved target achievement.
On display at bauma 2025 is the Sandvik CH830i, one of its most technologically advanced, high-capacity cone crushers. Designed for secondary and tertiary crushing in mining and large quarry applications, it boasts a robust unibody design with few moving parts, ensuring durability and reliability. The top serviceability feature simplifies access, making maintenance both easier and safer. The transition from welded to bolted parts enhances durability, while the new plastic backing-free liners eliminate the need for epoxy resin, significantly reducing waste. Additionally, the direct drive system provides high power with less energy loss, thereby enhancing overall efficiency.
The broad range of Sandvik vibrating screens and feeders are now available with ACS-s – Sandvik’s next generation condition monitoring system, which provides real-time data for informed maintenance decisions, improving operational efficiency and maximising uptime.
The Sandvik stand features a fully operational vibrating screen fitted with ACS-s, allowing visitors to experience the system’s hardware and software in action. In addition, Sandvik will present its groundbreaking digital applications, DeckMapp and WearApp, designed to revolutionise screen deck maintenance, uptime and efficiency.
Both ACS-c 5 and ACS-s are seamlessly integrated with SAM by Sandvik, the cloud-based digital assistant designed to support operational excellence in crushing and screening plants. SAM captures data from all connected Sandvik equipment, offering a comprehensive overview of the entire operation. Operators can monitor equipment status, communicate across teams, receive alerts and notifications, and proactively order spare parts from a centralised platform.
DeckMapp is Sandvik’s revolutionary digital tool and your single source of information for the management of screening media Image/Sandvik
Sandvik’s latest innovations are designed to cut energy use, reduce waste and enhance operational efficiency in its customers’ operations. At the company’s eco-efficient foundry in Svedala, Sweden, it produces high-quality parts using over 92 percent recycled steel, where in vast majority all powered by renewable energy. By repurposing worn-out wear parts, Sandvik prevented the emission of 16,000 tons of CO2 yearly by avoiding the use of virgin materials. Additionally, Sandvik pioneered the industry’s first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for manganese crusher wear parts, demonstrating a lower environmental impact and further validating its commitment to sustainability.
Learn more about Sandvik Rock Processing Solution’s offering at rockprocessing.sandvik or visit Sandvik in hall C2, stand 149 this week at bauma 2025.
A national partnership between Astec and Mineral Processing Solutions is the latest step in an ongoing collaboration that is based on a commitment to quality equipment.
Astec Australia has strengthened its partnership with Mineral Processing Solutions(MPS), a subsidiary of OPS Group, in a strategic move that extends the distribution of its fixed and modular plant equipment across all states and territories. This expansion follows a mid-2024 agreement that saw MPS take on distribution rights for Astec’s aggregate and mining sector equipment in New South Wales.
MPS now holds the rights to supply and support all Astec fixed and modular crushing, screening and washing equipment, as well as material handling and breaker technology products, right across Australia.
“Over the years, Astec and MPS customers have seen the benefits forged from our strong partnership,” Astec material solutions business line manager Adam Gordon told Mining.
The Astec BTI Rockbreaker being loaded out of the OPS group Bibra Lake facility. Image: Astec Australia
“The MPS team’s extensive local market knowledge and experience in mineral processing, supported by Astec’s innovative technologies and manufacturing capability, has made MPS the perfect partner to deliver outstanding products and service.”
The original plan to extend MPS’s distribution footprint was scheduled for a later date, but the success of the initial expansion into NSW prompted an accelerated timeline.
“Those plans have been brought forward as a testament to the success of the relationship between Astec and MPS,” Gordon said. “This new network will enable us to deliver parts more efficiently, reducing downtime and enhancing the operational efficiency of Australian businesses.”
MPS’s well-established and expanding infrastructure in eastern Australia played a key role in facilitating the expansion. With depots in Goodna, Queensland, Rutherford, NSW, and Laverton, Victoria, MPS has a strong presence in major mining and construction hubs.
These facilities, alongside additional branches in Darwin, Perth and Adelaide, help to ensure customers receive timely access to equipment, spare parts and technical support.
“The ability to reduce downtime through fast and efficient parts delivery is a critical advantage for businesses operating in these industries,” Gordon said.
The move is also expected to drive operational efficiencies by consolidating supply lines and reducing lead times for customers.
Astec’s extensive range of products, combined with MPS’s experienced sales and service teams, provides a competitive advantage in the Australian market.
“MPS’s reputation for exceptional after-sales support and technical expertise further strengthens the value proposition for businesses relying on high-performance fixed plant solutions,” Gordon said.
“For customers, the expansion means not only greater convenience and accessibility to Astec’s globally recognised equipment; it will also provide access to knowledgeable team members who can assist with installation, maintenance and ongoing operational support.
“Whether in the construction materials sector or large-scale mining operations, operators will benefit from a seamless procurement process and enhanced support services.”
Astec and MPS customers have seen the benefits forged from a strong partnership. Image: Astec Australia
By deepening their collaboration, Astec and MPS are positioning themselves to play a pivotal role in the development of Australia’s infrastructure.
The increased availability of robust crushing, screening, and material handling solutions supports the efficiency and productivity of businesses that form the backbone of the country’s resources and construction industries.
This strategic expansion highlights both companies’ strong commitment to innovation and customer service, ensuring that Australian businesses continue to benefit from world-class equipment and expert support.
“As demand for high-quality processing solutions continues to grow, the strengthened partnership between Astec and MPS represents a proactive approach to meeting industry needs,” Gordon said.
“By leveraging our combined expertise and resources, both companies are well-positioned to support Australia’s mining and construction sectors into the future.
“This agreement not only enhances service delivery but also reinforces the long-term stability and reliability of supply chains for critical equipment in the industry.”
Metso has introduced three next-generation cone crushers to its Nordberg HPe series.
The new HP600e, HP800e and HP900e units maintain the trusted Metso HPe features that customers have come to rely on while extending the series to larger crushing capacities for both aggregates production and high-demand mining applications.
“The evolution of Metso’s cone crusher technology brings multiple benefits and presents a true step change in terms of performance, uptime, serviceability and application coverage,” Metso product manager of HP cones Ilkka Somero said.
“We are excited to expand the Nordberg HPe series and bring to market a wider offering of these high-performance crushers fit for different production purposes.”
The HP600e and HP900e are an evolution to the existing range and have been built and based on class-leading proven technology.
HP800e features as a new addition to the series with a crushing size option of 600 kilowatts/800 horsepower. All three units come with two modern automation platform options: IC70C and MCP.
“Efficiency is the key to meeting the industry’s needs,” Metso director of gyratory and large cone crushers Nicolas Gallay said. “With the robust new HPe units, we can offer performance, longer lifetime and higher cost efficiency to our customers.”
Metso also provides the installation and commissioning, inspections, refurbishment and shutdown support for its products, executing all upgrades and services to its high standards.
The company’s distribution network offers an additional layer of support and services by providing localised expertise, rapid response times and tailored service solutions.
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Ernst Bekker, Product Specialist – Cyclones, for the Multotec Group, talks to MechChem Africa about hydrocyclones and dense medium cyclones: how they work, their different applications and some of things to look at and to avoid for best possible separation, production and recovery efficiencies.
“Cyclones are divided into two main categories: hydrocyclones and dense medium cyclones, which are fundamentally different in terms of the principles that apply, and the mineral separation processes they can be used for,” begins Multotec’s Ernst Bekker.
Hydrocyclones use water as the transport medium. The solids that require separation are mixed with water to form a slurry, before being pumped into the cyclone near the top and at a tangent to initiate spiralling flow. A strong vortex forms at the centre of the cyclone, with an air core through its centre passing from the spigot at the bottom to the vortex finder at the top.
“Centrifugal forces from the spiralling flow tend to throw particles to the outside, while drag forces from the water being pulled towards the air core at the vortex pull particles in the opposite direction. So a balance of the forces emerges,” says Bekker. “The coarser particles tend to be thrown to the stream spiralling downwards on the outside, while the finer particles tend to migrate into water surrounding the air core, which is being forced upwards by the vortex. The water closest to the air core takes the finer particles up and out of the overflow at the top, while the coarse particles continue to flow down the outside of the spiral, passing through the spigot at the bottom as underflow,” he explains.
It is this balance of the forces that dictates the cut size of a hydrocyclone. “It is important to remember that a hydrocyclone predominantly separates the mineral particles in the slurry based on size, with larger coarse particles reporting to the underflow while smaller or finer particles are taken up and through the overflow,” Bekker informs MechChem Africa.
Ideally, he says that Multotec recommends a ratio of solids to water of about 20% solids by volume in 80% water. “Sometimes people try to push more solids into the cyclone to raise the throughput of the plant, or tonnes/m2 of processing footprint. But this will tend to inhibit the performance of the hydrocyclone, so we never like to exceed 30% solids by volume,” he advises, adding that higher solid volumes tend to result in lower separation efficiency and poorer recoveries and/or increased product circulation.
“When multi-density particles enter the mix, then a hydrocyclone, in essence, separates based on mass. With homogeneous ores, mass and size are directly related, because bigger particles always have bigger mass, so we can still use the term cut-size to describe the separation process. But when the densities are different, this is not the case. In a multi-density classification application, a larger fraction of the high-density material will report to the underflow compared to a mineral that has a lower particle density. This is a challenge for hydrocyclones in a multi-density environment,” he says.
Bekker cites an example in the PGM industry. “The UG2 ore body consists of silicates, which are platinum bearing and are generally lower density mineral ores. But chrome, which has a significantly higher density, is also present.
“If the hydrocyclone is being used in a closed-loop milling application, the chrome should leave the cyclone at the same particle size as the silicates, but due to its higher density, the chrome keeps reporting to the underflow as oversized material and is sent back to the mill for further grinding. This leads to overgrinding of the chrome ore, which comes out so fine that it contaminates the platinum concentration process downstream,” he explains.
“In this case, the use of an ultra-fine screen might be introduced, but this is expensive, so a lot of operations decide to continue to use hydrocyclones, while understanding its limitations,” Bekker says.
Hydrocyclone applications
“Hydrocyclones are quite versatile. In some cases, we can even use them for dewatering instead of using dewatering screens, which are sometimes expensive, and they have a larger footprint,” he says. Similarly, desliming is also common, where 98% of the solids are taken out at the spigot, with relatively clean water being taken from the overflow.
“In applications where the quality of the clean water produced is less important, hydrocyclones can also be used for mine water processing in place of thickeners. And there is also now a focus on hydrocyclones being used for tailings dam management, depositing sand on the dam walls while recovering as much water as possible for reuse back in the process,” says Bekker.
On chrome mines, hydrocyclones called stacker cyclones sit on booms, discharging the product underflow into a heap. After leaving the material to dry further for a couple of days, this product will be taken away by trucks for further processing.
While in the minerals sands industry, where beaches are often mined for heavy minerals such as zircon and rutile, hydrocyclones are used to separate ultra-fine material before spirals and to dewater the product. The sand containing no valuable material anymore is returned onto the beach. Compared to using a screen for separation, a hydrocyclone is far easier to move along the beach as mining progresses, the sand being redeposited behind the operation.
A most common application, is for hydrocyclone clusters to be used as part of the mill circuit to classify right-sized material and to send the oversized fraction back to the mill for further grinding. Here, the cut size needs to be optimised to best match the downstream recovery process. “It is important for operators to remember that there is a limited amount of grinding energy from a mill, so raising throughput should be undertaken with care. Unless mill capacity can be increased in some way, any increase in throughput will result in more oversized material returning to the mill, which can cause the spigot to choke-up, a condition known as roping in the cyclone fraternity,” he warns.
“To get a finer product for processing at a higher production rate, the milling energy must also be raised and the cyclone re-optimised to match the new operating point,” suggests Ernst Bekker.
Dense medium separation (DMS)
Instead of using pure water as the slurry medium, dense medium separation uses a combination of water mixed with very fine particles of either magnetite or ferro-silicon. This creates a higher density separation medium than water, so that when the ore is added, the slurry is better able to separate based on the different densities of the particles in the mix.
“If you took a truck load of ore and dumped it into a pool of water, everything would sink to the bottom. But if you replaced the water with a magnetite- or ferro-silicon-based dense medium with an elevated density relative to water of, say, 1.6 then lower density ores will float and any of the particles that do sink will have a density of above 1.6,” he says.
“With a dense medium cyclone, low density materials, called floats, can’t break into the medium and so they remain in the centre of the cyclone and are drawn to the cyclone’s vortex and leave through the overflow. Dense minerals sink inside the spiralling dense medium flow and are propelled towards the outside of the cyclone. They leave through the underflow. So, separation is largely based on low density and high-density minerals, irrespective of particles size.
“To control the cut density on a DMC (Dense Medium Cyclone), we have to adjust the density of the media being used, based on the densities of the ores being separated. The density of the medium governs separation and there is very little we can change in the cyclone itself to improve separation performance,” Bekker points out.
Reverting back to hydrocyclones, he says that the diameter of the vortex finder is the principal cut-point adjustment, with a smaller vortex finder diameter providing a finer cut point and vice versa. Feed conditions such as pressure or flowrate and feed solids concentration can also be used to manipulate the cut size of items reporting to the overflow and underflow of a hydrocyclone. “This is not the case for dense medium cyclones, however. The operating pressure or head remain constant in dense medium separation, and the separation efficiency of the unit cannot be changed by adjusting the size of the vortex finder or the spigot,” he adds.
The supplier designs the DMC based on the ore body densities and the separation requirements, selecting a dense medium that delivers the low-density material to the overflow and the high densities to the underflow. “Unless there are significant changes to tonnages or the densiometric profile of the ore body, there should not be any need to change the DMC units themselves. Any adjustments should be made externally, to the dense medium and the feed parameters, for example,” Bekker suggests.
Dense medium cyclones and coal quality changes
“South Africa’s coal quality used to be very good. When using a dense medium cyclone in the early years, this resulted in easy separation, typically with 70% being coal at the overflow and only 30% being rejected as waste rock to the underflow. But we are now dealing with much lower grade coal ore, so the ratio is more or less the other way around, 70% being rejected as waste material through the spigot and only 30% being separated out as coal at the vortex finder in some cases,” Bekker notes.
“This causes capacity issues at the spigot in handling the larger volumes of waste materials and a decision has to be made as to whether to make the spigot bigger or to replace the dense medium cyclone with a bigger one,” he adds.
He says that certain design ratios apply between the cyclone diameter, the vortex finder, the spigot and the inlet diameter. If the cyclone diameter is D, for example, then the vortex finder is normally 0.43×D and the spigot can be anything between 50% and 70% of the vortex finder diameter. The standard inlet opening of a dense medium cyclone is normally 20% of the cyclone diameter.
“If the inlet opening is made bigger, more volume can be introduced into the unit, but this reduces the residence time inside the cyclone, which results in more misplacement of waste in the overflow and/or coal in the underflow, particularly of the case where the near density materials (NDM) is high. Near density material is defined as the amount of material present around the expected cut density in a band of +/- 0.1 RD units e.g. If the cut density is RD1.6, then the material present in the density range of RD1.5 to RD1.7 would be classified as near density material.
If the percentage of NDMs is very high, let’s say above 65%, then separation is difficult. Easy separation has anything between 20 to 25% NDMs and for medium density cyclones treating very good quality coal, NDM percentages can be as little as 2% in some of Multotec’s overseas operations.
“But here in South Africa, we use a lot of low-grade coal and it is quite difficult to distinguish clearly between the good coal and the waste. There are operations that can have up to 90% of the ore coming into the dense medium cyclone that is classified as near density material, making separation very difficult,” Bekker tells MechChem Africa, adding that cyclones for these applications need to be sized correctly, with very accurate feed conditions.
Diamonds and pre-concentration prior to milling
Alongside coal, Bekker says that dense medium cyclones are widely used as part of diamond pre-processing from run-of-mine ore prior to sorting. “Here only 1 to 2% of the inflow is diamond bearing and this passes through the spigot. The rest all goes out through the overflow. And if the underflow ratio goes up to just 4 or 5%, it becomes a problem because of the very accurate diamond sorting processes that must take place downstream of the cyclone, which can easily become overloaded,” says Bekker.
In a similar way, he adds that dense medium cyclones are now being looked at to pre-concentrate iron ore; manganese; and for some PGM and copper applications. “The idea is to remove waste rock before sending the product to the grinding mill, so that all the milling energy is focused only on the valuable target material, which is an interesting cost saving and productivity increasing concept,” he adds.
“While a small percentage of the valuable material is likely to be lost to the DMC, if you can recover, 90 to 95% of the valuables from 30% of the total ore mass, then the savings and productivity improvements from reduced milling can far outweigh this loss,” he points out.
“At Multotec we are process specialists who offer a variety of different minerals processing solutions and combinations. We spend time with the clients, building trust and sharing knowledge, regardless of any associated order or monetary value. And because we are an OEM supplier of several different technologies, we are able to steer our clients towards the right combination of technologies, whether those involve hydrocyclones, dense medium cyclones or combinations of several technologies.
“Every system we design and build is customised for specific client needs to be fit-for-purpose – and we take responsibility for ensuring this is the case,” Ernst Bekker concludes.
Metso has successfully conducted crushing and screening training courses with plans to expand the offering in 2026.
Starting at the fundamental level for all competencies, Metso expert Glenn Oldfield is conducting a one-day course on crushing and screening nationwide.
Metso’s focus was to provide non-partisan training for any quarry industry professionals, aiming to allow better understanding and hopefully optimisation of their plants, whatever the equipment brand. With more than 30 years with Metso and 17 years before that in the industry on the customer side of the fence, Oldfield’s contribution to the industry is invaluable.
“Our goal is to grow industry knowledge of the aggregate processing field for the benefit of all. Quarrying is a field we all want to grow and retain staff, by sharing our experience Metso hope to assist in this endeavour,” Metso senior application and project manager for Asia Glenn Oldfield said.
“So far, we have had a fantastic take up of this opportunity with Boral, Heidelberg, Holcim, Adbri, and many other industry players.”
In February, a group of industry leaders from Queensland, including 20 personnel from Boral, participated in Metso’s Crushing and Screening Fundamentals Course. The Boral team comprised quarry managers, supervisors, leading hands, and fixed plant operators. The primary goal of the training sessions was to refresh skills and reinforce fundamental knowledge on this crucial topic.
Several Boral employees attended the training. Image: Metso
Boral asset manager for SEQ Quarries Michael Long shared his feedback with John O’Reilly and Glenn Oldfield after the training.
“The feedback after the session was overwhelmingly positive. The course was well-paced, and the content was delivered excellently by a respected industry expert. Glenn’s style of delivery was unbiased, balanced, and well-informed, providing valuable insights on a range of equipment and processes,” Long said.
“The objective of the sessions was to refresh the skills of our key personnel, whose roles include management, supervision, operations, asset care, and quality assurance.
“I highly recommend this program to anyone in our industry who is looking for foundational training and an understanding of the basic theory behind crushing and screening technology. It’s a valuable investment for both businesses and individuals.”
Metso’s focus was to provide non-partisan training for any quarry industry professionals. Image: Metso
Institute of Quarrying Australia president Michael Close welcomed the initiative which helps all industry professionals.
“I found the course very informative and flowed well for the day. Glenn did say it would be fairly basic content, but with 20-plus years of crushing and screening experience, I still got a lot out of it and takeaways to discuss back with our operations,” he said.
“I think it is a great training initiative that Metso is providing for the industry “free of charge”, and I fully encourage operations managers, process improvement, quarry managers, site supervisors and plant operators to attend.
“The content will help provide a skills gap with the aging quarrying workforce. With the mix of people attending the course, further learning and insights are gained as we share our own experiences and issues, making big ones into little ones.”
Courses will continue around Australia throughout 2025 and expand in 2026 and beyond.
The Whyalla steelworks in South Australia. Image: Alexander/stock.adobe.com
Bluescope has been appointed as a steelmaking advisor to KordaMentha, the administrators of the Whyalla steelworks business in South Australia.
Known as Australia’s largest steel manufacturer, BlueScope will provide technical and operational support in an advisory capacity to the administrators as they try to secure ongoing operations at the Whyalla steelworks.
“BlueScope has a long-standing history with the Whyalla steelworks, and we know its people and assets well,” BlueScope managing director and chief executive officer Mark Vassella said.
“We recognise the ongoing importance of Whyalla to the Australian economy and sovereign capability. This is a difficult time for the steel industry in the Asia Pacific region, but we are in a position to help.
“Accordingly, we will provide a team of experts from Port Kembla Steelworks to assist the administrators work through their process.”
BlueScope has not provided investment or corporate support to the administration process, nor has it decided to participate in any potential sale at this stage.
However, Vassella said BlueScope becoming an advisor to Whyalla steelworks’ administrators may help inform potential participation.
BlueScope’s appointment comes as the $2.4 billion support package from the SA and Federal Governments is progressing to plan, with funds flowing to the local Whyalla community.
The support package was announced in late February to support local jobs and stimulate growth in SA’s steel sector following the Whyalla steelworks’ owner, OneSteel Manufacturing, being placed under administration amid various operational challenges at the site.
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Leading mining technology and service supplier FLS will open or expand seven service centres in strategic locations across the globe in 2025.
These facilities are in direct support of FLS’ CORE’26 mining strategy that includes targeting service growth, and adds to the company’s already comprehensive global network of service centres that can enhance mining customers’ productivity.
New facilities will open in Accra, Ghana; Surabaja, Indonesia; and Dammam, Saudi Arabia, while FLS’ operations in Mackay, Australia will relocate to a larger facility.
Expansions are planned in Parauapebas, Brazil; Karaganda, Kazakhstan; and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Operations in each of these new locations will begin within the coming months with official opening details to be announced at a later date.
In addition, an expansion of the service centre in Chloorkop, South Africa is ongoing and will be completed in 2026.
Image: FLSmidth
“Our service centres serve primarily as workshops for improving or repairing customer equipment and can also have warehousing capabilities for distribution,” FLS head of professional services Christian Fabry said.
“With these new openings and expansions, we further strengthen our service capabilities and best-in-class service offerings to customers.”
“We can do that by shortening the operational down time for customers thanks to the service centres’ strategic proximity to mine sites and greater availability of spare and wear parts to local customers.”
FLS offers a comprehensive range of service offerings that allow mining companies to maximise productivity.
The company has developed the strategic global presence and advanced service-based solutions required to provide responsive support wherever customers are located.
This includes:
Strong inventory of OEM spare parts and consumables in service centres around the world
Regional and global field engineers, plus remote asset health and performance optimisation services
Mineral laboratory services for fast, accurate mineralogical and metallurgical testing
Upgrades, rebuilds and exchange services to help you get more from your equipment.
FLSmidth work on the ground, and know that in a 24/7 process every hour of downtime adds up to very high costs in lost productivity.
That’s why its mining service centres are strategically located to offer local support to its customers operations – wherever they are in the world.
The company has service centres in East (Pinkenba, Beresfield, Mackay, Rockhampton) and the West (Henderson & Welshpool).
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Horizontal slurry pumps are indispensable in moving abrasive and corrosive liquids efficiently. These pumps are designed to handle liquids containing solid particles, making them the right choice in various industries such as mining, construction, and wastewater treatment. Here below you’ll find all the Pemo horizontal slurry pumps, while in the news section we go deeper into the definition, types, uses, and advantages of horizontal slurry pumps.
Pemo horizontal slurry pumps
Pemo’s horizontal slurry pumps are specifically designed for specific industry and purpose, we can build it in the V-Belt and Direct Transmission versions. All the Pemo horizontal pumps have the sealing system that consists of mechanical seals, with faces that are made of Tungsten Carbide (widia) or of Silicium Carbide. Lubrication of the mechanical seals, when there is a pair per pump, can be made with flushing water at a determined pressure, depending on the version, or with water/glicole by means of different closed circuits with natural or forced circulation. Instead, lubrication of the bearings is made with grease or oil.
Pemo Pumps models
Pemo Pumps has three different series of horizontal sludge pumps:
AO-AO/AD Series are standard horizontal pumps with frontal inlet. Based on our standards, the maximum available pressure should never exceed 2 bar (29 psi). Since there is only one mechanical seals these models are used to pump only water like fluids with almost no abrasive particles.
AO/TD – AO/TD/AD Series are horizontal pumps with frontal inlet and double mechanical seals, flushing must be done at a pressure that must be about 1 bar (15 psi) higher than the slurry outlet pressure. They can be used to pump abrasive and/or acid liquids. Maximum outlet pressure should not exceed 3-4 bar (45 – 60 PSI). Designed for heavy duty slurry and/or acid applications, these pumps have capacities from 1 to 1500 m3/h (5 to 6613 gpm).
AO/AB – AO/AB/AD Series are one of the most popular and distinctive products of the Pemo Pumps range. Thanks to the side inlet, the maximum pressure that the mechanical seals see is the fluid inlet pressure, greatly increasing life expectancy. For this reason, flushing must be done at a pressure that must be about 1 bar (15 psi) higher than the slurry inlet pressure instead. When pumping acid liquids, the shaft and the mechanical seals chamber can be made of special alloys.
Designed for slurries and/or acid applications, these Pemo pumps are truly unique! Maximum particle size is 2 mm though this is dependent on the specific application, capacities are from 1 to 900 m3/h (5 to 3,968 gpm), and maximum discharge head is 90 m (295 ft) in the Hardalloy PEMO design.
Primary markets
These are the primary markets where Pemo horizontal slurry pumps are used, we also can provide to our clients references and case studies.
Mining, Quarries, and Mineral Extraction Aggregate Industry Chemical Industry Food Industry Industrial Wastewater Treatment.
AO/TI and AO/TD Series, main characteristics
Designed for heavy duty slurry and/or acid applications.
These are end suction slurry pumps with single or double mechanical seals.
Capacities from 1 to 1500 m3/h (5 to 6613 gpm).
Usually maximum discharge pressure should not exceed 3 bar or 43 psi.
AO/AB Series, main characteristics
Designed for slurries and/or acid applications.
The heart of the PEMO product line, the AO/AB Series pumps are truly unique. Due to the side inlet, the maximum pressure the mechanical seal will see is the fluid inlet pressure, greatly increasing life of the seal.
When pumping acid liquids, the shaft and the mechanical seal housing can be made of special alloys.
Maximum particle size is 2 mm though this is dependent on the specific application.
Capacities from 1 to 900 m3/h (5 to 3,968 gpm).
Maximum discharge head is 90 m (295 ft) in the Hardalloy PEMO design.
Pemo Pumps is an Italian excellence in the custom pumps market. With a production 100% made in Italy, 50% of Pemo Pumps revenues comes from direct sales worldwide. Just one third of our sales are to Italian companies for direct use and for selling worldwide. Pemo Pumps has subsidiaries, representatives, and agents in 20 Countries and has more than 4,000 customers in the World.
Contact today our consultants to learn more about the complete range of Pemo Pumps.
