Outotec has been awarded an order for the delivery of minerals processing technology packages by Lundin Gold for their greenfield project Fruta Del Norte in Ecuador. The contract value booked in Outotec’s 2017 Q3 order intake is more than €10m.

Until recently only known by its oil resources, Ecuador is quickly gaining ground as a mining investment destination in Latin America thanks to significant gold and copper resources. Fruta del Norte, property of Lundin Gold, is one of the world’s largest, highest grade undeveloped gold deposits, with reserves estimated at about 4.8 million ounces of gold and 6.3 million ounces of silver. Fruta Del Norte is expected to produce approximately 325,000oz of gold a year over a 15-year mine life.

Outotec’s scope includes process engineering and the delivery of grinding mills, flotation, thickening and filtration technology packages. The deliveries will take place before the end of 2018.

“We are pleased to deliver our energy-efficient process equipment to Lundin Gold’s greenfield project, Fruta del Norte. This order will strengthen Outotec’s position as a supplier of advanced minerals processing technologies in Ecuador,” says Kimmo Kontola, head of Outotec’s Minerals Processing business unit.