Metso, a leading industrial machinery and engineering company, has entered into a significant agreement with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) to engineer and deliver process technology for GTK Mintec’s new pilot plant located in Outokumpu, Finland. This pilot plant is set to enhance GTK’s research and service offerings for the mining and minerals industry, particularly in the realm of circular economy materials.
The collaboration between Metso and GTK has been characterised by a long-standing partnership, with the design of the process lines being developed in close cooperation with GTK experts. While the financial details of the order remain undisclosed, it has been recorded in the Minerals segment’s orders for the third quarter of 2026. GTK Mintec aims to have the pilot plant operational by the end of 2028, reinforcing its position as a prominent developer of circular economy and minerals processing solutions on an international scale.
Saku Vuori, the director-general of GTK, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating that GTK Mintec is a strategic focus for the organisation. He emphasised that the minerals processing research services are crucial for advancing the circular economy, and this agreement marks a significant advancement in enhancing the services provided to the industry.
Piia Karhu, president of Metso minerals, echoed these sentiments, noting that the new pilot plant builds upon decades of collaboration between the two entities in developing minerals processing solutions. The facility will serve as an excellent environment for the development and testing of innovative processing and circular economy solutions, aimed at improving resource and energy efficiency within the industry.
The pilot plant will feature modern facilities for pilot-scale testing and optimisation of various process technologies. It will not only accommodate conventional beneficiation technologies but also focus on energy-efficient solutions that minimise water and chemical consumption. Key technologies to be tested include high pressure grinding rolls, ore sorting, primary grinding circuits, fine grinding technologies, and flotation applications.
Moreover, the facility will enable the piloting of advanced solutions for side-stream processing, dry stacking of tailings, and closed-loop process water circuits, utilising cutting-edge water treatment and filtration technologies. Metso has confirmed that two process lines with varying capacities will be constructed, allowing for both large-scale plant testing and smaller-scale test work, such as studies using drill core samples in the early stages of mining projects.
An advanced digitalisation and automation environment will also be integrated into the pilot plant, where process data will be automatically collected from equipment and measurement points throughout the facility. This innovation is expected to expedite the analysis of test results, enhance data quality, and provide customers with more comprehensive reporting capabilities, ultimately supporting the industry’s goals for sustainable and efficient mineral processing.
