Metso Expands Its Mining Technology Capabilities
Metso has commissioned a new 4-MW extra-large slurry pump test rig at its Test and Training Center in Sala, Sweden, strengthening its capabilities in mining equipment development, testing and technology demonstration.
Described by Metso as one of the largest facilities of its kind globally, the new test rig is now fully operational, with its first tests successfully completed.
The investment comes as mining companies increasingly look for reliable equipment capable of operating efficiently in some of the world’s most demanding processing environments.
Full-Scale Testing For Mining Equipment
The new facility allows Metso to test pumps at flows of up to 25,000 cubic metres per hour, enabling full-scale performance verification under realistic operating conditions.
The test rig can currently accommodate Metso’s slurry pump sizes up to MD900, while its design also allows for even larger pump sizes to be tested as the company’s product portfolio develops.
For mining operators, full-scale testing can provide valuable information before equipment is deployed into demanding processing environments.
Metso says the capability can help customers optimise pump selection, improve reliability and reduce operational risk.
More Than A Century Of Pump Innovation
The investment builds on Sala’s long history as a centre for slurry pump manufacturing and innovation.
For more than 100 years, the Swedish site has developed expertise across pumps, hydrocyclones and valves, alongside testing and digital condition monitoring.
Today, the facility includes small, medium and large pump test rigs, supporting product development, prototype testing and customer-specific performance validation.
The addition of the new 4-MW facility significantly expands the scale at which Metso can test its equipment.
Supporting The Mining Industry
Mining equipment operates in some of the toughest industrial environments, where reliability and availability can have a direct impact on production.
Slurry pumps are particularly important in mineral processing, transporting mixtures of liquids and solid particles through processing systems.
The ability to test equipment under realistic conditions allows manufacturers to identify potential performance issues and refine designs before equipment reaches operational sites.
Metso says its new test rig will support the development of complete pump performance curves while providing additional opportunities for future product development.
Continued Investment In Sweden
The new test rig forms part of wider investment at Metso’s Sala site.
The company is also developing a new 5,400 square metre warehouse and delivery centre, increasing the site’s total building area from approximately 21,000 square metres to more than 26,000 square metres.
The expansion is designed to improve logistics efficiency, customer service and workplace safety.
It also strengthens Sala’s position within Metso’s global network of pump technology and manufacturing facilities.
A Global Network Of Mining Expertise
The Swedish facility is part of a wider international network operated by Metso.
The company’s pump testing, engineering and development capabilities also extend across Peru, Australia and India, supporting product development and customer-specific testing across different applications and operating conditions.
Metso is continuing to invest in manufacturing, testing, digital solutions and customer support as demand grows for reliable and sustainable pumping solutions.
The company says recent growth across Europe, Central Asia and Africa is also supporting further investment in strategic regions.
Technology Driving The Future Of Mining
The mining industry is under increasing pressure to improve productivity while controlling costs and maintaining reliable operations.
Advanced testing facilities such as Metso’s new 4-MW rig are helping equipment manufacturers develop machinery that can be assessed at increasingly realistic scales before it reaches the mine site.
By combining large-scale physical testing with digital monitoring, engineering expertise and global service capabilities, Metso is expanding the tools available to mining companies looking to improve equipment performance.
For Sala, the investment represents another step in a century-long role in slurry pump technology and reinforces Sweden’s position within Metso’s global mining equipment network.
Source: Metso
Image source: Metso