Metso Powers Blackwater Mine's Expanded Phase Two with €39 Million Equipment Deal

In a substantial development for Canada's mining sector and a major win for global equipment supplier Metso, the Finnish technology company has announced orders to provide a comprehensive package of crushing and grinding equipment for Artemis Gold's Expanded Phase 2 (EP2) development at the Blackwater Mine. Situated in central British Columbia (BC), this gold project is poised for significant growth, with Metso's involvement marking a critical step in its operational scale-up.

The total value of these orders stands at an impressive €39 million, equating to approximately $45.25 million. This financial commitment from Artemis Gold highlights the scale of the Blackwater expansion and strengthens Metso's position as a leading provider of mineral processing solutions. Metso plans to record around €16 million of this value in its Minerals segment orders for the second half of 2025, with the remaining €23 million to be recorded in the first quarter of 2026, signaling a phased revenue recognition that aligns with project timelines.

Blackwater Mine: A Strategic Gold Asset in British Columbia

The Blackwater Gold Project, located approximately 160 kilometers southwest of Prince George, British Columbia, represents one of Canada's largest undeveloped gold projects. Artemis Gold, a well-regarded Canadian mining company, acquired the project with a vision to develop a significant, long-life, open-pit gold and silver mine. The Expanded Phase 2 (EP2) specifically targets a substantial increase in processing capacity and overall production, moving the project from its initial development stages towards full-scale commercial operation.

For mining professionals, a project entering an "Expanded Phase 2" signifies a major capital expenditure cycle that transitions a project from initial construction and commissioning into a more robust, higher-throughput operational phase. This expansion is typically driven by positive feasibility studies, favorable market conditions for the commodity (in this case, gold), and confidence in the long-term economics of the deposit. EP2 at Blackwater indicates Artemis Gold's commitment to unlocking the full potential of the resource through optimized processing capabilities.

Metso's Comprehensive Equipment Package for Enhanced Processing

The breadth of Metso's equipment supply for Blackwater's EP2 underscores the integrated approach required for modern large-scale mining operations. The order encompasses a full spectrum of machinery designed to handle the entire comminution circuit, from primary crushing through fine grinding, alongside crucial ancillary components for efficient material handling and process control.

The crushing circuit will be fortified with:

  • Superior MKIII Primary Gyratory Crusher: This robust machine is designed for rugged primary crushing applications, handling large volumes of run-of-mine ore directly from the pit. Its gyratory action is highly efficient for initial size reduction, preparing material for subsequent stages.
  • Nordberg HP Series Cone Crushers: Renowned for their high performance and reliability, HP Series cone crushers are typically deployed in secondary and tertiary crushing stages. They are critical for achieving the finer particle sizes required for efficient grinding, contributing to optimized energy consumption and metal recovery.

For the grinding processes, which are notoriously energy-intensive but fundamental to liberate minerals, Metso will deliver two of its flagship Premier mills:

  • Premier 18,000kW Semi-Autogenous Grinding (SAG) Mill: SAG mills are large-diameter mills that use a combination of ore, steel balls, and the mill's own rotation to crush and grind material. The 18,000kW power rating denotes a significant capacity, typical for large-scale operations. SAG mills reduce large rocks to a finer consistency, often directly from the primary crusher discharge.
  • Premier 18,000kW Ball Mill: Following the SAG mill, ball mills provide further size reduction, using steel balls as grinding media to achieve the fine particle sizes necessary for downstream processing like flotation or leaching. The matching 18,000kW power rating suggests a highly integrated and balanced grinding circuit designed for high throughput.

Christoph Hoetzel, Metso's Senior Vice President for Grinding, emphasized the advanced technology embedded in these units: "Metso’s Premier SAG and ball mills include our patented Polymer HSB trunnion bearings and in-house wear lining systems. Metso is the industry leader in supplying large gear-driven horizontal grinding mills." This highlights Metso’s proprietary innovations aimed at improving operational efficiency, reducing maintenance, and enhancing equipment longevity, which are critical considerations for large-scale, long-life mining projects.

Beyond crushing and grinding, the order also includes vital components for slurry transport, classification, and process optimization:

  • Vertical and Horizontal Slurry Pumps: Essential for moving ore slurries (a mixture of crushed ore and water) between different processing stages, these pumps are engineered to handle abrasive materials and maintain flow rates within the plant.
  • MHC Hydrocyclones: These devices are integral for classification, separating particles based on size and density. Hydrocyclones are commonly used in grinding circuits to return coarser material for further grinding, ensuring optimal fineness before subsequent recovery processes.
  • RockSense Particle Size Analyser: A key piece of process control technology, the RockSense analyser provides real-time data on particle size distribution. This allows operators to make immediate adjustments to the comminution circuit, optimizing energy consumption, maximizing throughput, and improving overall recovery rates. Real-time analytics are increasingly crucial for modern, data-driven mining operations striving for efficiency and sustainability.

Strategic Partnership and Local Commitment

Artemis Gold's President, Jeremy Langford, highlighted the strategic rationale behind selecting Metso, citing not only the proven performance of their equipment but also their commitment to local engagement. "We have been impressed with Metso’s proven operating equipment, their financial commitment to build a comprehensive service repair facility in Prince George, BC, as well as their steadfast commitment to provide strong local service support at the mine site," Langford stated.

This commitment to local service support and the establishment of a repair facility in Prince George holds significant implications for the Blackwater project and the broader BC mining industry. Proximity of service and parts reduces downtime, a critical factor for highly capital-intensive operations where every hour of idleness can mean substantial lost revenue. Furthermore, such investments foster local job creation, build regional expertise, and contribute to the economic diversification of British Columbia, aligning with Artemis Gold's vision to "help build a more diversified and sustainable BC economy." For investors, robust local support infrastructure mitigates operational risks and demonstrates a supplier's long-term dedication to a project's success.

Wider Industry Context and Metso's Global Footprint

This substantial order for the Blackwater Mine reinforces Metso's position as a dominant force in the global mineral processing equipment market. The scale of the equipment specified, particularly the large Premier mills, underscores Metso's capability to deliver solutions for some of the world's largest and most ambitious mining projects.

The order also reflects broader industry trends, where mining companies are investing in larger, more efficient equipment and advanced process control technologies to optimize operations amidst fluctuating commodity prices, rising energy costs, and increasing environmental scrutiny. The integration of a RockSense particle size analyser is a testament to the industry's shift towards digital solutions and real-time data for enhanced productivity and resource efficiency.

This Blackwater order follows other significant recent successes for Metso. Notably, in January 2026, the company's Concorde Cell flotation technology was selected by Barrick Gold for the Lumwana copper project expansion in Zambia’s North-Western Province. That agreement involves integrating Metso's Concorde Cell flotation units with its already chosen TankCell technology to optimize the project’s flowsheet. These back-to-back major contracts with leading miners like Artemis Gold and Barrick Gold highlight Metso's diverse technological offering across different commodities and geographies, cementing its reputation as a preferred partner for complex mining developments worldwide.

Future Outlook and Industry Significance

The Metso-Artemis Gold partnership is a significant indicator of confidence in the future of the Canadian gold mining sector and signals a robust commitment to bringing the Blackwater project to its full potential. For Artemis Gold, securing this equipment package is a crucial milestone, de-risking the construction and operational ramp-up phases of EP2. With reliable and proven equipment from a specialist vendor, the company can proceed with its development plans more confidently, aiming for efficient production and strong returns.

For the broader mining industry, this transaction underscores the ongoing requirement for substantial capital expenditure in large-scale projects, even in a dynamic market environment. It also highlights the intricate relationships between mining operators and key technology suppliers like Metso, where technical expertise, proven reliability, and robust service support are paramount. As the Blackwater Mine progresses through its Expanded Phase 2, it is expected to become a significant contributor to British Columbia's economy, providing jobs, generating revenues, and further cementing Canada's reputation as a leading global mining jurisdiction.