HELSINKI, Finland, Jan. 12, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Metso Minerals will supply a cable belt conveying system for coal transportation to the Dawson mine, Central Queensland, Australia. The value of the order is approximately EUR 22 million. The delivery will be completed by October 2006. The order was booked for the last quarter order backlog of 2005.
The delivery is a part of the mine expansion project and comprises of two cable belt conveyors, at 10 km and 16 km in length. The new conveying system will transport run-of-mine (ROM) coal at a rate of 2,400 million tons per hour to a new coal handling preparation plant. The route flexibility of the cable belt conveyor will allow for an environmentally sound installation with the minimum of ground disturbance. The estimated start-up of the 10 km system is in December 2006, with the 16 km system following in February 2007.
Dawson mine is one of Australia's largest coal mines with an annual coal production of 12.7 million tons and a work force of 700 people at the completion of the expansion. It is a joint venture between Anglo Coal Australia and Mitsui Coal Holdings.
Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2004 net sales of approximately EUR 4 billion. Its 22,000 employees in more than 50 countries serve customers in the pulp and paper industry, rock and minerals processing, the energy industry and selected other industries.