The €100 million (US$122 million) contract with an unidentified client for the greenfield zinc plant in Russia's Chelyabinsk region includes an equipment package for zinc concentrate processing, iron precipitation, solution purification and electrowinning technologies.

"Metso Outotec provides leading-edge technology for extensive zinc processing plants. This includes proprietary process equipment and know-how from raw material to final zinc product and various by-products," says Stephan Kirsch, president of the Minerals business area at Metso Outotec.

The order also includes a circuit heat recovery system, zinc electrowinning and ingot casting equipment as well as cooling towers for zinc electrowinning and gypsum removal.

The separate contract for Nornickel's Talnakh operation includes delivery of one SAG mill and two ball mills with a total installed power of 36MW as well as two HP series pebble crushers. Metso Outotec will also supply spare parts and consumables, including metallic mill liners, and will supervise the installation of the equipment. The delivery is scheduled for 2022.

"The modernization of the Talnakh processing plant is one of the priority projects for Nornickel. Its implementation will significantly increase the volume and efficiency of production," said Sergey Dubovitsky, senior vice president, strategy, strategic projects, logistics & procurement at Nornickel.

"We are pleased to continue our partnership with Nornickel. The supply of leading-edge equipment from Metso Outotec for the reconstruction of the comminution section at the Talnakh concentrator will enable an increase in the amount of ore processed," noted Kirsch.