Metso Corporation announced it has secured orders to deliver grinding plant equipment for South32’s new Hermosa project in the Patagonia Mountains of southern Arizona. The order, booked in the second quarter of 2024, includes a Premier Primary Autogenous Grinding (AG) Mill and a Vertimill VTM-4500 Secondary Grinding Mill, with potential to supply additional comminution and beneficiation process technologies.
Christoph Hoetzel, Senior Vice President of Grinding at Metso, highlighted the advantages of the chosen technology, noting that the primary grinding with an AG Mill eliminates the need for steel media, while the Vertimill® enhances energy efficiency and reduces steel media consumption in secondary grinding and regrinding processes. He described this combination as “truly Planet Positive.”
Tim Robinson, Vice President of Minerals Sales in North and Central America at Metso, expressed enthusiasm for supporting South32’s efforts to supply critical minerals like zinc and manganese in the USA. He emphasized Metso’s commitment to assisting South32 with their environmentally friendly technology and robust service support in Arizona. 
