Metso to provide crushing and screening plant and Life Cycle Services to increase capacity and reduce operating costs at Tata Steel's Sedibeng Iron Ore mine in South Africa

Metso and Sedibeng Iron Ore (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata Steel Ltd, a renowned global steel company, have agreed on a combined order consisting of a stationary crushing and screening plant, including primary and secondary crushers, as well as a five-year Life Cycle Services contract. The cold commissioning is scheduled for late 2016, and the plant should be operating at the beginning of 2017.

"This complete solution covers services and equipment and thus ensures planned maintenance and better production reliability for the customer. For Metso, the order represents a new way of operating in southern Africa. It increases our installed base in the area and will surely open up new opportunities in the growing market," says Charles Ntsele, Metso's General Manager for Mining Sales in Southern Africa.

The order was booked in the first quarter of 2016 Metso's orders received. The value of the order is not disclosed.

Tailored solution brings concrete business benefits

Sedibeng Iron Ore mine has previously been using a Metso mobile crushing & screening solution operated by a subcontractor. Due to a planned increase in capacity, Tata Steel, the principal shareholder, wanted to investigate the possibility for a stationary plant.

"The key target for Sedibeng was to both guarantee plant availability and lower their production costs. We worked with the customer in analyzing their needs, such as operating costs and plant availability. For example, the design of the plant was carefully considered and the process design criteria reviewed. Based on the analysis, we came up with a high-end technical solution, which will increase plant availability from 65-70% to 90% and increase plant capacity to 600 ton per hour. Partnering up with the end user allows Metso to build on our understanding of our customers' business drivers and offer tailored solutions," Ntsele explains.

The complete solution consists of a Vibrating Feeder 561 - 2V, a C130 Jaw, a CVB 603 Screen, an HP 500 Cone Crusher, Conveyors, electrics and automation together with the other auxiliary equipment required for a crushing and screening plant. The Life Cycle Services contract covers the supervision of the plant maintenance including maintenance planning, training customer personnel as well as spares and wears management.

Metso is a world leading industrial company serving the mining, aggregates, recycling, oil, gas, pulp, paper and process industries. We help our customers improve their operational efficiency, reduce risks and increase profitability by using our unique knowledge, experienced people and innovative solutions to build new, sustainable ways of growing together.

Our products range from mining and aggregates processing equipment and systems to industrial valves and controls. Our customers are supported by a broad scope of services and a global network of over 80 service centers and about 6,400 services professionals. Metso has an uncompromising attitude towards safety.

Metso is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland, and had net sales of about EUR 2.9 billion in 2015. Metso employs over 12,000 persons in more than 50 countries. Expect results.
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For further information, please contact:

Charles Ntsele, General Manager, Mining Sales, Southern Africa, Metso, Tel. +27 11 961 4175, Email: charles.ntsele@metso.com

Eric Maricot, Vice President, Sales, Southern Africa, Metso, Tel. + 27 71 602 11 18, Email: eric.maricot@metso.com

Helena Marjaranta, Vice President, Global Communications, Metso Corporation, Tel. +358 20 484 3212, Email: helena.marjaranta@metso.com