The Metso solution, delivered about a year ago, includes gathering and analysing field data from the chutes, a new liner design, the manufacture and assembly of three discharge chutes for the mine, as well as performance follow-up and further optimisation to ensure the continuous improvement of the process, it said.

“As a company, we look for suppliers who provide an integrated service that includes engineering, manufacturing and assembly. Metso knew how to respond to our deadlines and objectives. In minerals transportation we've already seen the time between faults rising from 20 to 80 days, and we know that the number can be optimised even further,” said Manuel Vera, asset management and reliability manager for the mining company.

The liners are covered in Metso’s registered Poly-Cer and are designed to be resistant to strong abrasion even with a high material tonnage and at high speeds. Compared to the classic liner design, Poly-Cer is designed to increase liner wear life thanks to greater resistance, with an estimated operation of more than 150 days from change-out. This lining is usually up to 10 times more wear-resistant than its steel counterpart and combines the best properties of ceramic and rubber to offer high-wear resistance and to effectively absorb impacts, according to Metso.