New zinc and copper capability for Russia, Metso supply as aluminium divested

A greenfield zinc plant is to be built in Verkhny Ufaley in the Chelyabinsk region in Russia.

Metso Outotec, Finland, has signed a contract to deliver a complete package of key process equipment. The contract value of approximately EUR100mln will be divided between Metso’s minerals and metals segments.

The site will house equipment for zinc concentrate processing, iron precipitation, solution purification and electrowinning technologies for zinc processing. The order also contains a circuit heat recovery system, zinc electrowinning and ingot casting equipment as well as high-efficiency cooling towers for zinc electrowinning and gypsum removal with reduced emissions.

Copper in
Metso is also to deliver minerals processing technology to a new high-capacity copper concentrator in Russia. The customer and the contract value are not disclosed. It will also supply two primary crushing stations for the same concentrator plant.

The concentrator will have four production lines with a total processing capacity of at least 80mln t of ore per annum. Equipment deliveries will take place during 2022 and 2023.

Aluminium out
The zinc and copper announcements comes as Metso Outotec signs an agreement to sell its aluminium business to REEL International, headquartered in France. The business was offered for sale a year ago and has been since reported under discontinued operations.

The business to be divested comprises of green anode plants, anode rodshops, and casthouses used in aluminium smelters as well as related equipment and services. Approximately 120 Metso Outotec employees will join REEL upon closing, which is expected to take place during the first quarter of 2021.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the value of the transaction.