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Energy-saving vertical grinding mills are gradually replacing ball mills in comminution processes. As a good example of this development, Metso signed its biggest ever order of this technology in China to Anshan Iron and Steel Group Corporation (Ansteel) , one 
of the leading Chinese iron ore mining and steel making companies. The Metso equipment will be installed to Ansteel’s Greenfield iron ore mining project, situated in Anshan, in the Liaoning province in China. The total value of the order exceeds EUR 33 million.
“In applications like Ansteel, Metso’s vertical grinding mills provide the right solution for the customer. The mills can generate energy and wear part savings of at least 35%”, comments Pouris Huang, Senior Technical Support Engineer, Mining and Construction, Metso.
Metso VERTIMILL(TM) offers also benefits in grinding quality. “With traditional ball mills, it would be very hard to achieve the same ore fineness required by magnetic separation”, Pouris Huang adds.
The recent contract includes six of Metso’s biggest vertical grinding mills. In addition, six big mining cones and three vertical pressure filters and related installation and commission guidance services. Metso’s delivery completion is due in March 2014, and the mine start-up in July 2014. The order was included in Metso Mining and Construction’s first and second quarter 2013 orders received.
Exceptionally quick delivery time
“Last year, Metso successfully installed its first vertical grinding mill to a Chinese copper mine. The delivery was finalized in a record time – in just over 12 months, and the customer has well achieved the planned grinding capacity and wear part economy. This new Ansteel order, with its quick delivery time, will surely interest Chinese mining professionals country-wide,” Pouris Huang adds.
The six VERTIMILL(TM) VTM-1500-type vertical grinding mills are fed by an average rate of 653 metric tons per hour. In addition to the mills, Metso’s delivery consists of six proven HP800 cone crushers for secondary crushing, and three VPA2050-54 pressure filters for dewatering of the iron ore concentrate.
Anshan Iron and Steel Group Corporation (Ansteel) was founded in 1916 and grew out of Anshan Ironworks and Shouwa Steelworks. Ansteel was established in 1948 and rebuilt into an earliest large-sized iron and steel production base in China. Ansteel operations are situated in Anshan, Liaoning province, known of its rich iron ore resources. The proved reserves make up one fourth of the total reverses in China.
