Metso to supply fieldbus to mining company in Finland

November 16, 2007 - Metso Automation will supply an automation system to Talvivaara Mining Company, which is constructing Europe’s largest nickel mine at Talvivaara in the Sotkamo region of Finland. Metso's delivery comprises metsoDNA CR automation and information system. The deliveries will take place in four phases, starting from January 2008.

The Talvivaara production plant will include metals recovery lines, side processes, crushing and conveying operations, as well as pumping units. The monitoring and controls of all these processes will be centralized in Metso Automation’s system, in one central control room.

The automation is based on the proven, state-of-the-art fieldbus technology. The automation system, the intelligent MCC Motor Control Centers and the frequency converters will be linked with Profibus DP, and field instrumentation will be mostly based on Profibus PA.

The Talvivaara deposits represent one of Europe’s largest sulphide nickel resources known to date. This 266-million-ton ore reserve is anticipated to support production for about 25 years. When production starts in late 2008, the Talvivaara mine will produce approximately 33,000 tons of nickel per year, and also 60,000 tons of zinc, 10,000 tons of copper and 1,200 tons of cobalt as by-products. The metals will be extracted from the ore by a cost-efficient and eco-friendly bioheapleaching technology, utilizing natural bacteria in the process.

Metso Automation specializes in automation and information management application networks and systems, field control technology and life cycle performance services. Its main customers are the pulp and paper industry as well as the power, energy, and oil and gas industries.

With 3,500 employees, Metso Automation operates worldwide through sales and customer support units in 35 countries across Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. In 2006, Metso Automation’s net sales were EUR 613 million.

Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2006 net sales of approximately EUR 5 billion. Its more than 26,000 employees in more than 50 countries serve customers in the pulp and paper industry, rock and minerals processing, the energy industry and selected other industries.