Valmet to supply filter fabrics with smart cloth technology to Karara Mining in Australia

Valmet Oyj’s trade press release on September 30, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. EET

Valmet will supply filter fabrics with smart cloth technology to Karara Mining Ltd in Western Australia. Karara is the largest mining operation and the first major magnetite mine in the Australia’s Midwest region.

The delivery includes filter fabrics to 11 chamber press filters used for concentrate and tailings de-watering.

The order was included in Valmet's orders received of the second and third quarter 2020. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

Karara’s target is to increase cloth life, improve machine availability and subsequently increase the production with new technology. In the beginning of 2020, Karara organized a pilot project to identify a supplier who could provide world class filter fabrics with technical support. Valmet’s filter fabrics stood out with excellent results.

“We are always seeking for innovative and world class technology, and for that reason we organized a pilot project to select the cloth with best performance. The average cloth life of Valmet cloths is approximately 5,500 cycles whereas the current supplier’s is approximately 1,500 cycles, which brings tangible benefits to our operation,” says Gavin Kelly, Production Coordinator, Karara.

“The extensive site trials provided the customer with valuable data insight regarding the technical and commercial benefits. We are happy to win the order based on our proven technology and trusting relationship with the customer,” says Michael Murphy, Product Sales Manager, Australia, Valmet.

Information about the delivery

Valmet cloths are equipped with smart cloth technology, Valmet's Industrial Internet application for optimizing filter cloth performance to increase productivity and create savings in filtration processes. Operators use an easy-to-use tablet interface to load data during cloth installation and removal. The online reporting portal provides real time concise data to the stakeholders, such as early stage plate damage and failure patterns that enables real time process improvement.

Information about Karara Mining Ltd

Karara Mining Ltd was established in 2007 through a joint venture between China’s Ansteel Group – the Anshan Iron and Steel Group Corporation and Gindalbie Metals Limited to develop and operate the Karara mine. Karara produces a premium, high-grade (66-68% Fe) magnetite concentrate at a design production rate of 8 million tons per annum.

VALMET
Corporate Communications

For further information, please contact:
Jaegen Peet, Director, Australia and New Zealand, Valmet, tel: +61 400016281

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers.

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy.

Valmet's net sales in 2019 were approximately EUR 3.5 billion. Our more than 13,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.

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