New high-capacity cone crushers offer improved efficiency, durability, and automation for aggregates and mining industries worldwide. (Image source: Metso Corporation)

Metso has introduced three advanced cone crushers—HP600e, HP800e, and HP900e—expanding its latest generation of high-capacity crushing solutions

These models retain the trusted features of the existing range while increasing production capabilities for both aggregate processing and demanding mining applications.

“The evolution of Metso’s cone crusher technology brings multiple benefits and presents a true step change in terms of performance, uptime, serviceability, and application coverage. We are excited to expand the series and bring to market a wider offering of these high-performance crushers fit for different production purposes,” commented Ilkka Somero, product manager of HP cones at Metso’s aggregates business area.

“Efficiency is the key to meeting the industry's needs. With the robust new units, we can offer performance, longer lifetime, and higher cost efficiency to our customers,”remarked Nicolas Gallay, director of gyratory and large cone crushers at Metso.

The HP600e and HP900e models build upon proven designs, while the HP800e introduces a new option with a 600 kW / 800 hp capacity. Each unit includes two modern automation platform options: IC70C and MCP. These systems enhance visibility, monitoring, and control of the crushing process, while also enabling remote connectivity and digital services.

Enhanced crusher efficiency

The HP600e, HP800e, and HP900e offer:

• Up to 15% greater capacity* and 35% higher crushing force* due to enhanced kinematics and increased power.

• Optimised crushing chambers, reduced head spinning, and ring bounce detection to maximise efficiency and wear life.

• A complete drive and sub-frame system for safer and faster installation while reducing dynamic load by up to 70%.

• A new lifting tool for the feed cone, enhancing safety during wear part changes.

A core principle of this series is its upgradability. Operators with previous-generation crushers can integrate the latest features or upgrade components for improved efficiency and performance.

Metso offers various upgrade options for existing models, allowing seamless and cost-effective modernisation with the newest features. In addition to product enhancements, Metso provides installation, commissioning, inspections, refurbishment, shutdown support, lifecycle service agreements, and a full range of wear and spare parts.

All services and upgrades adhere to strict quality standards, ensuring optimal performance. Metso’s extensive distribution network further enhances customer support by delivering localised expertise, quick response times, and tailored service solutions.

With over 13,000 units in operation worldwide, these crushers remain a trusted choice for mining and aggregate industries.

Anglo American Platinum's Mogalakwena mine achieves IRMA 50, marking a milestone in responsible platinum mining and sustainability efforts. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Anglo American Platinum has announced that its Mogalakwena mine in South Africa has undergone its first assessment against the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance’s (IRMA) rigorous mining standard, achieving an IRMA 50 rating

This milestone underscores the company’s holistic approach to sustainability and its dedication to transparency in responsible platinum group metals (PGMs) production.

Craig Miller, CEO of Anglo American Platinum, emphasised the significance of this achievement, “As a leading adopter of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), we recognise that stakeholders, including our shareholders and customers, need to trust where and how our metals are mined. With this latest IRMA accreditation for Mogalakwena, we have achieved our target of having all our mines assured by 2025. We are immensely proud of the work the teams are doing across all of our operations to support responsible mining, enabling us to demonstrate an ethical value chain for our metals, and we look forward to continuing to lead the way in the PGMs sector globally.”

Mogalakwena is the final mine among Anglo American Platinum’s four wholly owned PGMs operations to undergo an IRMA audit. This follows the assessment of Unki mine in Zimbabwe, which became the first mine globally to commit to an independent IRMA audit, securing an IRMA 75 rating in 2021 and reaffirming it in 2024 through a surveillance audit. Mototolo and Amandelbult mines were also assessed for the first time in 2024, achieving IRMA 75 and IRMA 50 ratings, respectively.

IRMA provides independent third-party verification covering a broad range of social and environmental impacts associated with large-scale mining. The framework evaluates mines across four key principles, with certification levels ranging from IRMA Transparency—where mines disclose their assessment results—to IRMA 50, 75, or 100, depending on their adherence to core requirements and the percentage of additional criteria met.

Developed through more than a decade of public consultation involving over 100 stakeholders—including mining companies, consumers, NGOs, labor unions, and local communities—IRMA's Standard for Responsible Mining is recognized as one of the most comprehensive and stringent mining verification processes.

Aimee Boulanger, executive director of IRMA, highlighted the value of these audits, “Through detailed IRMA audit reports, mining companies, communities and companies that purchase mined materials can gain the information they need to decide what’s going well and what may require more attention at specific mines. Mogalakwena’s report demonstrates that the mine can point to transparent, independent evaluations of their environmental and social performance along with the other three Anglo American Platinum mines in South Africa and Zimbabwe.”

With tailored solutions and local support, Integrated Pump Technology ensures continuous operation for mines across the continent. (Image source: Integrated Pump Technology)

Integrated Pump Technology has been instrumental in assisting mining operations with the ongoing challenge of groundwater ingress, both at surface and underground levels

Uncontrolled groundwater can significantly disrupt mining activities, especially during the rainy season, which varies across Africa’s diverse regions. With mining sites exposed to anything from heavy seasonal rainfall to localised geological conditions, effective dewatering strategies are essential for maintaining both productivity and safety.

Managing director Jordan Marsh emphasises the company’s role as the authorised distributor of Grindex electric submersible pumps and Godwin diesel-driven self-priming pumps, offering reliable dewatering solutions tailored to diverse mining applications.

“Both these pump ranges are well-known global brands that are designed to handle the often harsh and unpredictable conditions that mines face across the continent. Mining operations in many parts of Africa, where dewatering is mission-critical, have been quick to adopt dewatering solutions from us, knowing that our team understands the requirements and the support is in place to ensure reliable operation,” explained Marsh.

Expanding African dewatering

The company’s strong market growth reflects its strategic expansion efforts in key mining regions. Notably, demand has surged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, where the rising global need for copper—driven by the transition to a lower-carbon economy—has fueled mining activity. Copper mines in the DRC, among the wettest in the world, present unique challenges in managing water ingress.

Marsh underscores the critical role of dewatering in these mines. “Our Grindex submersible pumps have long been the go-to solution for dewatering in these extremely wet mines, and with the addition last year of the diesel driven Godwin pump range to our portfolio we have seen increased demand for these units, whether skid or trailer mounted,” stated Marsh.

Recognising the importance of reliable service, Integrated Pump Technology is focused on strengthening its sales and support infrastructure through local distribution partnerships. This approach ensures that end-users receive consistent and effective assistance.

Marsh further highlights how the growing depth of Southern African copper mines is driving demand for powerful dewatering solutions. “Grindex pumps, known for their durability and effectiveness, are playing a pivotal role in keeping these deeper mining operations operational and safe. Significantly, the demand is for both smaller pumps (3.7 kW and 5.6 kW) and larger units (up to 90 kW),” noted Marsh.

Beyond the DRC and Zambia, the company continues to expand its footprint into East and West Africa. A key factor in its success has been the development of a strong distributor network, ensuring that mining operations in countries such as Angola, DRC, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia, Tanzania, and Uganda receive the necessary expertise and equipment to address their specific dewatering needs.

“Our business development drive into these African territories is yielding exciting progress,” concluded Marsh.

Also read: MMG places Kinsevere cobalt plant on ice

Kinsevere open pit mine DRC. (Image source: MMG)

Chinese mining group MMG has hit the brakes on a cobalt processing plant in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid slowing demand for the metal and lower prices

Cobalt, a key battery metal used in the production of electric vehicles (EVs), is one of the DRC’s major exports.

The move comes a mere 15 months after the opening of the processing plant at the Kinsevere mine site in the Haut-Katanga province, about 30 km from Lubumbashi in the south of the DRC.

MMG, which is majority-owned by China Minmetals Corporation, halted operations at the new plant in December last year, Bloomberg reported, citing “unfavourable cobalt market conditions.”

In February 2025, DRC officials also temporarily banned cobalt exports for a period of at least four months due to excess supply.

The price of cobalt has slumped to near historic lows in recent months as a result of the supply glut and as motorists turn their backs on EVs, undermining demand for the metal, which is also used in mobile phones.

The project at Kinsevere, intended to boost copper output from the mine as well as commence cobalt production, is estimated to have cost around US$600mn.

MMG began the commissioning of the the cobalt processing plant in September 2023, but the facility was placed in so-called ‘care and maintenance’ by the end of last year, the company said when reporting its 2024 annual results on 5 March, according to Bloomberg.

The firm said it had “implemented a flexible production strategy” in deciding when to resume cobalt operations that will be “based on prices,” an MMG spokesperson said in an email statement cited by Bloomberg.

The company sold 1,600 tons of cobalt in 2024, according to the statement.

Its production guidance for Kinsevere in 2025 is between 63,000 to 69,000 tonnes of copper cathode, MMG reported, the highest level form the mine in about a decade, reflecting the expansion programme at the site.

MMG’s chairman Xu Jiqing, said in his results presentation that the Kinsevere Expansion Project achieved mechanical completion on 15 September 2024 and that the current focus is on ramping up the concentrator and roasting systems to further increase copper cathode output.

The expansion will also extend Kinsevere's mine life to at least 2035, he noted.

Higher earnings from improved copper sales and prices, however, were partially offset by the costs associated with the newly added processing plant.

A US$53mn impairment was recognised in the depreciation and amortisation expenses, reflecting a weakened cobalt outlook, he added.

Read more: 

MMG acquires Khoemacau copper mine in Botswana

MMG announces investment plans in sub-Saharan Africa