One of Australia’s largest copper mine developments has put another piece in place as it moves towards site construction and scheduled production by 2028.
Harmony Gold Mining has selected Metso to supply the key equipment for its Eva copper mine project in Queensland.
The Eva copper project is the first greenfield copper concentrator of this scale in the region in more than a decade and is considered critical to Australia’s supply of future-facing metals.
Mining equipment technology specialist Metso said the order, valued at approximately €55 million ($96.5 million), has been booked for the project.
“We are extremely proud to have been chosen by Harmony,” Metso vice president, minerals, Asia Pacific, Kai Rönnberg said.
“From initial sample testwork at our Perth Technology Centre to optimising the equipment selection, it’s been a pleasure to collaborate with Harmony on this project. Even more exciting is the long-term partnership to ensure successful equipment delivery and the lowest total cost of ownership during operations.”
The Metso equipment package includes a gearless Premier SAG mill with 24MW of installed power and a Premier twin-pinion ball mill with 18MW of power, both ordered with mill linings and spares.
For pebble crushing, Harmony has chosen two MP800 cone crushers, known for their industry-leading performance and reliability. The Eva Copper flotation circuit will feature 15 Metso TankCell flotation cells and a Vertimill VTM3000.
The majority of the equipment to be supplied forms part of the Metso Plus portfolio.
“In addition to the equipment delivery, Metso and Harmony have agreed to a term sheet for a multi-year major goods support agreement. This will ensure smooth commissioning and ramp-up of the Eva Copper concentrator plant,” Rönnberg said.
Final investment decision approval for the $2.3 billion project was secured in late November, with up to 1000 jobs expected during construction and around 450 once the mine becomes operational.
Located in Cloncurry, near Mount Isa, the project – 100 per cent owned by Harmony – is expected to produce about 65,000 tonnes of copper concentrate per year during the first five years of operation.
Thereafter, the project is forecast to average 60,000 tonnes of copper and 19,000 ounces of gold per year.
With financial approval now in place, construction is expected to take up to 30 months, with first production targeted for the second half of 2028.
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