Boliden is an existing customer of Metso, with half of its haul trucks already equipped with the manufacturer's rubber truck bed lining.

The miner has now also decided to invest in the Metso Truck Body to complement its fleet.

Unveiled at Bauma as an extension to its haul truck rubber lining product, the design of the new hybrid truck body combines the benefits of the rubber lining with high structural strength steel.

Metso explained that the elastic rubber can absorb the energy of impact and allows for a lighter steel structure; thus "the body can absorb maximum shock at the lowest possible weight".

The lower weight means that more payload can be hauled per round, and the rubber lining should reduce the need for maintenance.

"Metso and Boliden have been working together for several years to find solutions to improve the efficiency, convenience and working environment of the hauling process at Aitik," said Lars-Erik Bergman, sales manager, Northern Sweden, Metso.

"The introduction of the Metso Truck Body is another milestone on this journey. It is the most cost-effective haul truck body available, because it lowers a mine's hauling expenses in two ways: by reducing maintenance and by maximising the amount of ore a truck can carry."

The truck bodies will be installed on two of Aitik's 290+ tonne payload class trucks. According to Metso, the bodies weigh 20% less than OEM bodies and can fit 11t more ore.

The delivery of the order is scheduled to take place in September of this year.