Karara Mining’s tailings plant expansion in Australia
Metso Outotec has signed a contract with Karara Mining Limited for the design of their tailings filtration plant expansion project at their iron ore mine in Western Australia. This includes the delivery of key filtration and material handling equipment and associated services. The typical value for an order like this is in the range of EUR 15-20 million depending on the scope of delivery. The order has been booked in Minerals’ Q2/2021 orders received. Karara produces a premium, high-grade (65-68% Fe) magnetite concentrate at a design production rate of 8 Mtpa. With this expansion, the operation will increase the current tailings filtration capacity from 30 kt/d to over 45 kt/d enabling safe and sustainable storage of the process mine waste, with improved utilization and recovery of water.
“The Karara mine represents one of the largest filtered tailings facilities in the world. We are very proud that Karara Mining Limited has chosen Metso Outotec to deliver the plant design and key equipment in this expansion project. This is a continuation of earlier delivered proprietary key process equipment and long-term onsite maintenance service agreements,” comments Kai Rönnberg, Vice President, Minerals Sales – Asia Pacific. Metso Outotec’s scope in this expansion will include the Larox® FFP3512 as primary filtration equipment, material handling conveyor systems and peripheral items. Additionally, spare parts and supervisory services will be supplied to support commissioning and plant ramp up. Delivery will take place during 2022, and the plant is expected to start production in late Q4/2022.
