Metso introduces service for recycling of worn mining liners

Helsinki – Finnish industrial machinery maker Metso Outotec Corp. has singed a €35-million five-year service contract to supply rubber mill linings and recycled worn linings for Swedish metal and mining company Boliden.

As part of the 3+2 agreement, Metso will offer 'supply and optimisation services' of its Megaliner brand of linings for four mills at Boliden’s Kevitsa mine in the Sodankylä region in Finland.

The project will also include supporting the shutdown planning and execution services of the mill linings.

In addition, the agreement also covers a “planet positive” mill lining recycling service for used liners.

Metso said it was introducing its recycling process for the project, which it said was achieved after “a decade of intensive development work and pilots.”

The technology includes a “unique” separation line to process rubber, as well as all sizes of liners which include both rubber and metal.

For customers, Metso said, the new recycling service solves the problem of disposing of worn mill liners and offers a way to reduce CO2 emissions and improve environmental efficiency.

As part of the service, Metso collects worn liners on site and transports them to its facilities where the components are separated.

There, the manufacturer either reuses or recycles valuable materials such as rubber and steel components in new liners.

Metso is offering the recycling service to its European customers for the initial stage and aims to expand to new markets in 2023.