Metso has recognized Codelco El Teniente as the first mining company in the world to use Metso’s innovative grinding technology: the next level of Poly-Met discharge grates for SAG mills. Thanks to Metso’s grinding innovation and close cooperation between Metso’s experts and Codelco’s operations and maintenance specialists, in 2015 Codelco El Teniente achieved its all-time record for commercial production with substantially lowered operating costs.
“At Codelco El Teniente we are constantly innovating to improve our processes and maximize results. In this specific case, we incorporated Metso’s solution into our processes and we have already seen substantial improvements in operations and maintenance,” says Mauricio Larraín, General Manager of Codelco El Teniente.
To show appreciation for the good collaboration over the years, Perttu Louhiluoto, President of Minerals Services at Metso, visited the site and personally presented a recognition award to Mauricio Larraín. “Poly-Met is an example of how our continuous product and application development generates better processes for our customers. Codelco El Teniente is a good example of the purpose and use of this technology. We are very pleased and proud of the results they have been able to reach, and Metso continues to drive this development as the world’s leading company,” says Perttu Louhiluoto.
Impressive results
In 2010 Codelco El Teniente’s problems with grate piece breakage in their SAG mill resulted in low mill availability and operational instability. Codelco El Teniente worked in close cooperation with Metso to solve the problem. As a result, the next level of Poly-Met discharge grates were taken into use in a SAG mill for the first time. This innovative technology improves the copper production process by increasing the throughput and pebble production while also decreasing wear rate.
The results have been impressive. In 2015 Codelco El Teniente achieved record commercial production of over 71 thousand tons of fine copper at one of the industry’s lowest cost levels. An increase in slot size and operational stability has increased throughput by 7%. Pebble production increased by 24% during the first 50 days of operation, while the wear rate decreased from 0.26 mm/day to 0.11 mm/day. Mill availability has increased thanks to the elimination of pinning and breakage. Codelco El Teniente also achieved historical results in safety in 2015 with an accumulated frequency rate of 1.
The Poly-Met discharge grates are made of metal and rubber, which means less weight and greater elasticity. The composite material was identified as the best solution for this type of application after a series of trials with Codelco El Teniente during 2012-2014.
Metso is planning a global launch of Poly-Met grates in the later part of 2016.
More information about Metso Poly-Met Mill Linings: http://www.metso.com/services/mill-linings-and-trommels/polymet-mill-linings/
About Codelco El Teniente
Codelco El Teniente has been in operation since 1907 and is the biggest underground cooper mine in the world. The copper mine has a daily production volume of up to 140,000 tons of ore per day. It is located 90 kilometers south of Santiago, Chile, at 2,500 meters above sea level.
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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