With increased exploration activity and an overall focus on automation and digitalisation within the industry, automated laboratories are also becoming of interest to miners.
Accordingly, to complete its own portfolio of lab solutions, FLSmidth is acquiring IMP Automation.

FLSmidth president of mining, Manfred Schaffer, said that due to declining ore grades, knowing your ore characteristics from the mine to the processing plant is of increasing importance; thus, productivity needs to be boosted by process optimisation.

"We see a strong match between some of our digital initiatives in FLSmidth and IMP's automation solutions that will help miners get better data on their ore and assist in optimising the processing," he continues.

"With this acquisition, our flowsheet of laboratory solutions within mining and minerals processing is complete, and this will be of great value to our customers."
The acquisition involves more than 130 of IMP's employees, including managing director Boyne Hohenstein.

The MD commented: "In FLSmidth we have found a partner with the right global sales network to take us to the next level. For years, we have combined profound laboratory process knowledge with automation skills and developed novel and innovative solutions. I am very excited that we now can reach a global audience with our offerings and solutions."

Included in the transaction is IMP's 50% share in a joint venture that provides complete O&M-based solutions for automated labs.

The acquired parts of IMP Automation Group, including the JV, generated revenues in excess of DK250 million (US$ 37.9 million) in 2018.

The acquisition is expected to close in the June quarter of 2019. The parties have agreed not to disclose the terms of the transaction.