HELSINKI, Finland, Aug. 17, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Metso Minerals will supply two grinding mills for copper and gold ore production to Mineracao Maraca S.A.'s Chapada mining project in Goias state, Brazil. The value of the order is approximately EUR 11 million. The delivery will be completed in the second quarter of 2006. The order was booked for the first half-year order backlog of 2005.
The delivery comprises of a semi-autogenous (SAG) mill of 34' diameter, and a 24' diameter ball mill, including components. The mills will be used to grind ore at the Chapada open pit mining operation. The operation is expected to process 16 million tonnes of copper and gold ore into 51,000 tonnes of copper concentrate and 2.8 tonnes of gold annually. The estimated start-up of the mining operation will be in August 2006.
Mineracao Marara is a part of Yamana Gold Inc., a Canadian gold and copper producer, with gold production and exploration properties in major mineral areas in Brazil. Yamana Gold's net sales in 2004 were approximately USD 42 million and it employs about 950 people.
Metso is a global technology corporation serving customers in the pulp and paper industry, rock and minerals processing, the energy industry and selected other industries. In 2004, the net sales of Metso Corporation were approx. EUR 4 billion, and it has some 22,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Metso's shares are listed on the Helsinki and New York Stock Exchanges.