FLSmidth Breaks New Ground in Mining Technology with a Mega Order in India

Danish global engineering company FLSmidth has announced that it has received a record-breaking order from Kutch Copper, a subsidiary of one of India’s leading conglomerates, Adani Enterprises Ltd. This order includes the world’s largest Vertical Roller Mills (VRMs) to be used in a copper concentrator project, and is regarded as a groundbreaking step toward sustainability and efficiency in the mining sector.

A New Era in Energy Efficiency: VRM Technology

Compared to conventional SAG and ball mills traditionally used in copper beneficiation plants, FLSmidth’s VRM technology promises significantly lower energy consumption. The two VRM-4000 Vertical Roller Mills to be supplied under this project will deliver 15–20% lower energy consumption compared to traditional grinding circuits, thereby reducing operational costs as well as the plant’s carbon footprint. This development is also in full alignment with the company’s MissionZero sustainability goals.

Record-Breaking Mills and the Scope of the Project

This order represents not only a technological leap but also a remarkable scale. The mills to be built for the Kutch Copper project will be the largest VRMs ever used in a copper concentrator. Serving a capacity of 45 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), these gigantic machines will be delivered by FLSmidth as a complete package including gear units, motors, and other auxiliary equipment. FLSmidth executives note that this order underscores the growing demand for sustainable mining solutions and proves just how effective VRM technology is in processing metallic minerals.

Advantages over Traditional Methods

In addition to energy efficiency, VRM technology also stands out with its smaller footprint, higher operational availability, and simpler maintenance processes. These advantages play a key role in encouraging large-scale investors such as Adani Enterprises to move toward projects that are both economically and environmentally more sustainable.

Conclusion

In summary, FLSmidth’s record order in India is a strong indicator that the mining industry is shifting toward more efficient and environmentally friendly technologies. Demonstrating that Vertical Roller Mills (VRMs) can also be effectively used in processing metallic minerals such as copper opens a new door for the sector. This technological transformation may also have important implications for the mining sector in Turkey. Large copper and metal producers operating in Turkey, who have goals of sustainability and reducing energy costs, will closely monitor the outcomes of this project in India. Considering FLSmidth’s strong presence in Turkey, it is expected that similar efficiency-focused solutions will come onto the agenda in Turkish mining projects in the near future.