Introduction to FLSmidth’s Latest Achievement
In a remarkable development for both the mining and engineering industries, FLSmidth, a leader in the supply of sustainable equipment and services for the global mining industry, has been awarded the largest single order for steel media tower mills. The order consists of 18 FTM-5000 vertical tower mills, which will be used in the secondary and tertiary grinding circuits of an iron ore beneficiation plant located in India. This plant is set to become one of the largest and most efficient of its kind globally.
FLSmidth’s ability to win such a prestigious and large-scale contract underscores its position as a global leader in energy-efficient grinding technology. The FTM-5000 mills, which will be the largest of their kind ever deployed, represent a significant advancement in mining equipment designed to reduce the environmental footprint and increase efficiency in grinding processes. This order also highlights FLSmidth’s MissionZero ambition to support sustainable mining operations through solutions that reduce energy consumption, water usage, and grinding media waste.
Details of the Order: A Comprehensive Overview
The order includes the following key components:
1. 18 Vertical Tower Mills (FTM-5000): These mills will serve in the secondary and tertiary grinding circuits. Each of the mills will be the largest steel media mills deployed in terms of both size and capacity. The vertical tower mills will be directly downstream from the world’s largest high-pressure grinding rolls, which FLSmidth is also providing to the customer in Q4 2024.
2. 30 KREBS UMD Pumps: The slurry pumps included in the order will be the largest size slurry pumps ever seen in the Indian mining sector. These pumps are critical for handling the slurry during the grinding process.
3. 18 KREBS gMAX Hydrocyclones: The hydrocyclones are designed to efficiently classify the slurry and separate valuable minerals from waste materials. These high-performance classifiers complete the grinding circuit, ensuring that the process is both efficient and effective.
Vertical Tower Mills: The Heart of the Grinding Circuit
FLSmidth’s FTM-5000 vertical tower mills are one of the company’s flagship products under the MissionZero initiative, designed to deliver high energy efficiency in fine grinding applications. Compared to traditional horizontal ball mills, these vertical tower mills offer a 25 – 50% reduction in energy consumption, ensuring a much more sustainable grinding process for the mining industry.
The vertical design of these mills optimizes the grinding process, making them more efficient than conventional horizontal mills. Additionally, the vertical tower mills minimize wear on the grinding media, reducing operational costs and ensuring a longer lifespan for both the equipment and the grinding media.
The Role of HPGRs and Their Integration with Vertical Tower Mills
The integration of HPGRs with vertical tower mills creates an innovative and highly efficient grinding circuit. High-pressure grinding rolls are known for their ability to crush ore at high pressure, significantly improving the energy efficiency of the grinding process. The upstream HPGRs in this project will work seamlessly with the FTM-5000 vertical tower mills, ensuring that the customer benefits from a significant reduction in energy, water, and grinding media consumption across the entire process.
By combining these two technologies—HPGRs and vertical tower mills—the customer will achieve optimal profitability, as energy and material consumption are drastically reduced, leading to lower overall operational costs.
MissionZero: FLSmidth’s Vision for Sustainable Mining
The MissionZero initiative is FLSmidth’s global strategy to make mining operations more sustainable and resource-efficient. The company aims to help mining customers achieve net-zero emissions, water neutrality, and zero waste by 2030. The vertical tower mills, along with other MissionZero solutions like the HPGRs, are designed to contribute directly to these goals by reducing energy consumption and minimizing environmental impact during mineral processing.
Mikko Keto, CEO of FLSmidth, emphasized the importance of this order for the company, stating that it not only strengthens the company’s leadership in energy-efficient grinding technology, but also demonstrates the effectiveness of FLSmidth’s MissionZero solutions. The combination of HPGRs and vertical tower mills provides significant reductions in energy, water, and grinding media consumption, making it a key enabler of sustainability in the mining industry.
Why This Order is Significant for FLSmidth and the Industry
This order is a testament to FLSmidth’s ability to deliver advanced, innovative solutions that meet the growing demands for efficiency and sustainability in mining operations. The size and scale of this order, combined with the advanced technology involved, demonstrate FLSmidth’s ability to handle large-scale mining projects while providing cutting-edge solutions that reduce operational costs and environmental impacts.
The strategic importance of this order cannot be overstated. It not only strengthens FLSmidth’s market position but also underscores the importance of collaboration between mining companies and technology providers to meet the challenges of sustainable resource extraction.
Additionally, this order sets a precedent for future mining operations looking to reduce their carbon footprint and operational costs. As global demand for iron ore and other key minerals increases, the need for more efficient and sustainable processing technologies will only grow. FLSmidth’s solutions, including vertical tower mills and HPGRs, provide the perfect combination of high performance and low environmental impact.
Key Takeaways:
• FLSmidth has secured the largest single order for steel media tower mills in the company’s history, marking a major milestone in the mining technology sector.
• The order includes 18 FTM-5000 vertical tower mills, 30 KREBS UMD pumps, and 18 KREBS gMAX hydrocyclones, which will be used in a cutting-edge iron ore beneficiation plant in India.
• The FTM-5000 mills will be the largest steel media mills ever deployed, providing significant energy efficiency improvements by reducing energy consumption by 25 – 50% compared to traditional horizontal ball mills.
• The integration of HPGRs with vertical tower mills offers a highly efficient, low-cost, and environmentally friendly solution for secondary and tertiary grinding in mineral processing.
• This order reinforces FLSmidth’s leadership in energy-efficient grinding technologies and highlights the company’s commitment to its MissionZero initiative, which focuses on reducing energy, water, and grinding media consumption in mining operations.
• The largest slurry pumps ever used in India’s mining industry will also be part of the order, further enhancing the project’s technological and operational capabilities.
• Mikko Keto, CEO of FLSmidth, noted that this order is a strategic achievement that strengthens FLSmidth’s role in delivering sustainable solutions to the mining sector, contributing to optimal profitability and reduced environmental impact.
