Metso delivers world's largest crusher for Zambian copper mine

Metso Mining and Construction has been awarded a contract to supply two MP2500 cone crushers for Kalumbila Minerals’ Sentinel project, which is located 150 km west of Solwezi, north-west Zambia.

Kalumbila Minerals is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals Limited (FQML). FQML’s sentinel copper project is part of the larger Trident project, which also includes FQML’s Enterprise nickel mine.

Sentinel’s processing facility will have a target throughput rate of 55 mtpa of ore with an expected annual production rate of between 270,000 and 300,000 tonnes of copper.

Metso’s MP2500 cone crusher.

The MP2500 is claimed to be the largest cone crusher in the world and the installation of the new machines will assist First Quantum Minerals Limited’s Sentinel Copper project in achieving the target throughput rate of 55 mtpa.

Metso worked closely with FQML to ensure the cone crusher was fully in line with project requirements. Building such a large cone crusher required innovative thinking and attention to detail.

The cone crushers will be part of the secondary crushing circuit installed to maintain the mill throughput to offset a harder ore in the deeper areas of the pit. The crushers will treat a portion of the ore feeding the stockpile, crushing the top size to below 40 mm.

The first of the new crushers is scheduled for delivery in mid-2014.