Metso has been awarded a 3-year repair service exchange contract for Nordberg® MP1000 cone crushers and HIGmills at two mining sites in Chile. The chosen repair service exchange solution includes maintenance recommendations, defined service intervals, and the execution of necessary repairs, as well as genuine Metso parts, including inventory management, required for the refurbishment process. This will optimize the immobilised capital of the entire process between the customer and Metso.
This maintenance agreement is set to extend the service life of the customer’s assets, ensure predictable maintenance costs, enhance reliability and safety, and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. Developed through collaborative planning between Metso and the customer, the agreement aims to ensure consistency, transparency, and efficiency in business operations. Metso’s service center will provide additional benefits through timely support and enhanced operational efficiency.
The order value of the 3-year contract exceeds EUR 16 million, with the first part booked in the Minerals segment’s fourth-quarter 2024 orders received.
“We are extremely happy that our customer continues trusting us with their critical equipment maintenance needs. The new contract confirms our partnership and long-term relationship approach with an important customer and the Metso installed base. In collaboration with the customer’s maintenance, planning, and technical teams, we created a comprehensive repair service solution that combines Metso’s quality services, technical expertise, and OEM wears and spares availability,” says Daniel Figueroa, Sales Director, Chile, Metso.
Comprehensive Repair Services and Regional Expansion
Metso has continuously enhanced its repair service offerings and established a strong presence near customers in Chile. The company currently operates four service centers in South America and is expanding two of them while evaluating new facilities to better serve customers. The Antofagasta service center expansion in Chile, set for commissioning in the first half of 2025, will increase service area by one-third, improve lifting capacity, introduce new machining equipment, and enhance repair capabilities for HRCs, HPGRs, Vertimills, horizontal grinding mills, and HIGmills. The center is also equipped to serve crushers, beneficiation and de-watering equipment, and screens.
“We are making significant investments in our service footprint and continuously developing our service offering to better support our customers’ operations. Our Repair Service Exchange programs are a good example of how we partner with our customers to extend equipment life, improve performance, de-risk repair activities, and generate value for their operations,” says Mike Santaluce, Vice President, Repairs at Metso.
Metso has a comprehensive range of maintenance and repair services for mining equipment technologies, including spot repairs, rebuilds, upgrades, rotable offerings, and repair service exchange programs. The company’s extensive service network comprises over 3,700 field service and repair professionals and more than 40 service centers across six continents.
Metso Strengthens Service Operations in Africa
Metso has also been awarded a significant order to provide repairs and upgrades for a bucket-wheel stacker reclaimer at a customer’s stockyard operations in Africa. The scope of delivery includes upgrades and modernizations of mechanical, structural, and electrical components to enhance the customer’s operational efficiency and reliability.
The value of the order has not been disclosed but is recorded in the Minerals segment’s fourth-quarter 2024 orders received.
“This order highlights our capability to offer comprehensive services in bulk material handling and to deliver tailored solutions as a trusted OEM partner. The customer not only benefits from maximized reliability but also improved safety. Metso’s parts are designed to require less maintenance, aiming for a sustainable return on investment,” says Scott Pringle, Director, Service Technical Support, Africa, Metso.
“Metso has combined the best features from our industry-leading legacy brands with modern technology to bring innovative and reliable solutions. Through the use of advanced engineering tools, we integrate technical and machine know-how with high-quality components and service to safeguard customers’ machines and maximize equipment life,” says Danilo Caserta, Product Manager, Stockyard Machines, Metso.
Metso’s extensive experience as a stockyard equipment supplier allows it to extend the stacker/reclaimer service life through advanced refurbishment, upgrades, and modernizations. With expert engineering services, Metso can execute highly complex projects, ensuring long-term value and reliability for its customers.
Further Developments in the Middle East & Africa
Beyond its agreements in Chile and Africa, Metso is actively expanding its service capabilities in the Middle East and Africa. The company is investing in regional service hubs and technical support centers to meet growing demand across industries, particularly in mining and bulk material handling. Upcoming projects include expansions of its existing facilities and the introduction of enhanced repair services for key mining equipment.
Metso and Saudi Mining Polytechnic (SMP) institute have signed a training agreement to support mining career development and address the mining labor shortage. Metso will select young Saudi graduates to undergo training services at SMP as per the agreement. This includes training trainees for the Associate Diploma in the specified programs at SMP over one year, with an additional three months of on-the-job training at the customer site.
“A training agreement is an important way to develop the local capabilities and offer opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth for students to meet the growing need for mining professionals in the area. This initiative is a concrete example of Metso’s commitment to community development in Saudi Arabia. Our target is to make the mining industry more appealing to potential new Metso employees by helping to attract and also retain talent,” says Rajneesh Mishra, Vice President, Sales and Service, Middle East area.
Metso has signed several major mining capital projects and life cycle service agreements in the Middle East area over the years. Local workforce capability development and training has become a crucial part of the life cycle service contracts.
SMP is semi-governmental, and the degree is accredited by the Ministry of Education and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC).
“We are dedicated to training Saudi youth to achieve the highest level of Saudization and job localization in the mining industry. The training agreement with Metso is a significant addition to our partner network. We recognize the labor market needs in the mining industry and are committed to nationalizing jobs in this growing industry,” says Abdullah Amer Alotaibi, Managing Director, Saudi Mining Polytechnic.
