Metso to Provide Southern Peru Copper with VSF SX-EW Plants for Tia Maria Project

Why It Matters

The deal underscores accelerating copper demand for clean‑energy technologies and positions Metso as a key provider of sustainable extraction solutions in Latin America.

Key Takeaways

• €100 M ($115 M) Metso contract for Peru copper plant.
• 120,000 t/yr LME‑grade copper cathodes targeted at Tia Maria.
• VSF SX‑EW includes robotic stripping, acid mist capture, filters.
• Project 23% complete, on track for 2027 production start.
• Enhances Metso’s sustainable technology portfolio in Latin America.

Pulse Analysis

Copper demand is soaring as electric‑vehicle fleets and renewable‑energy grids require more of the metal, putting pressure on miners to boost output while curbing environmental footprints. Solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX‑EW) remains the industry’s most efficient route to high‑purity copper cathodes, and suppliers that can deliver lower lifecycle costs and tighter emissions controls are gaining strategic importance. Metso, with a legacy of over 30 solvent‑extraction and 20 electrowinning plants worldwide, leverages its VSF® platform to meet these market imperatives.

The Tia Maria project, owned by Southern Peru Copper, will become a flagship example of next‑generation copper processing in South America. Once operational, the VSF SX‑EW plant will churn out 120,000 tonnes per year of LME‑grade A copper, matching global benchmark specifications. Metso’s package bundles dual‑media filtration, a robotic cathode‑stripping system, and an acid‑mist capture unit designed to minimise hazardous emissions, complemented by comprehensive engineering, site advisory services, and start‑up spares. With the mine already 23% complete and a 2027 first‑production target, the project aligns with Peru’s broader push to expand its copper export capacity.

For Metso, the €100 million ($115 million) contract bolsters its 2026 order intake and deepens its foothold in the fast‑growing Latin American mining sector. The deal showcases the firm’s ability to combine proven technology with sustainability‑focused features, a differentiator as regulators and investors increasingly demand greener operations. As copper supply chains tighten, Metso’s expanded presence could translate into further contracts across the region, reinforcing its role as a go‑to partner for miners seeking both efficiency and environmental stewardship.