Copper

Energizing the modern world

Metso boasts the widest copper technology offering in the market, going above and beyond the flowsheet. With our high performance solutions, we can help optimize your operation - wherever you are in the value chain.

Cutting edge solutions

Process solutions for both sulfide and oxide ores

Proven expertise

Extensive industry experience in delivery of copper projects

Testwork capabilities

Minimizing risks through comprehensive research and testing

Copper's sustainable evolution

Copper is critical to the effort of creating a more sustainable and circular economy, while at the same time, allowing it to develop further and further.

Use of copper dates back 5,000 years ago, when the earliest humans found it in a native, metallic form. Today, it has a unique place in our modern world: It’s 100% recyclable, antimicrobial and the best non-precious conductor of heat and electricity. The uses of copper continue to grow and are a main contributor to evolving our society to make the next leap.

Estimates say that by 2030, the demand for copper may grow by over 27%

We can help you meet the challenges

Here at Metso, we provide a broad range of solutions to help copper mining and processing companies overcome today’s varying obstacles, such as declining ore quality, rising costs, stable (or even stagnant) prices and heightened social and environmental responsibilities.

We have harnessed over a century of experience to help our customers improve operational efficiency and extend their life of operations with innovations across their sites. From our industry-leading comminution, beneficiation and refining products to process optimization services and automation solutions.

With our customers, we share a vision of the copper industry that calls for a more circular, sustainable economy based on the infinite, recyclable qualities of copper. We also work with them to develop responsible closing plans that meet government legislation and limit community impact.

Solutions for different ores

Most of the copper ores mined today are either oxides or sulfide ores. Both ore types require specific processes to extract the valuable minerals. Oxide ores have lower-grade deposits, while sulfide ores contain sulfur, which can be used as an energy source for smelting reactions and converted to sulfuric acid, a valuable chemical. Metso has equal capabilities and experience in processing both types of ores.

Decarbonizing copper smelting

Our experts developed a scientific method for comparing the emissions produced with different copper smelting technologies.

Read blog post

Sustainability

Our customers must satisfy the growing demand for minerals while managing deteriorating ore grades, and stricter sustainability requirements. To reach net zero - which is the goal for most leading mining companies - will require a shift towards renewables-based electricity and an increase in energy efficiency. This is where Metso’s Planet Positive offering steps in.

Our Planet Positive offering enables:

Reduction of grinding energy consumption by up to 45%
Reduction of CO₂ emissions up to 40% with In-pit crush and convey (IPCC) solutions
Sustainable and resource-efficient tailings processing
Increase of product lifetime with use of contractual services
Reduced footprint and chemical consumption with solvent extraction equipment and cooling towers
Maximized recovery of copper and precious metals through efficient smelting and converting of concentrate into metallic copper anodes