Weir Group has successfully completed the installation of China’s largest mill circuit slurry pumps at a major copper mining operation in the Tibet Autonomous Region, further strengthening its position as a leading supplier of high-performance mining equipment for large-scale mineral processing operations.
The project involved the installation of six Warman MCR 650 slurry pumps and two Warman MCR 750 slurry pumps, making it the largest mill circuit slurry pump deployment of its kind in China. The installation represents a significant milestone for the country’s mining industry as operators continue investing in advanced technologies to improve processing efficiency and increase production capacity.
Located approximately 5,300 metres above sea level, the copper mine presents some of the most demanding operating conditions in the mining sector. Extreme altitude, low oxygen levels, freezing temperatures, and challenging terrain create significant logistical and engineering obstacles for both equipment suppliers and mine operators.
Despite these harsh conditions, Weir’s technical and service teams successfully completed the installation within the planned schedule. The project required the careful lifting, positioning, alignment, and integration of multiple large-scale slurry pumps, with crews working under demanding high-altitude conditions to meet critical project deadlines.
The successful deployment highlights the growing importance of high-capacity slurry pumps in modern mineral processing plants, particularly as mining companies seek to increase throughput and maximise production from increasingly complex ore bodies.
According to Angela Wang, Managing Director of Weir China, the project demonstrates the company’s commitment to delivering reliable and innovative solutions to the mining industry.
“Delivering the largest slurry pumps in China is a significant technical achievement, and the fact that Weir was able to do this at such a high-altitude site reflects our commitment to being at the forefront of reliability in the mining sector,” she said.
Large mill circuit pumps play a critical role in mineral processing operations by transporting abrasive slurry between grinding and classification stages. As global demand for copper and other critical minerals continues to grow, mining companies are increasingly investing in larger processing equipment capable of handling higher volumes of material more efficiently.
Weir believes that high-capacity slurry pumps will become even more important as declining ore grades require mining operations to process greater volumes of ore to maintain production targets. Larger pumps help improve plant throughput, reduce operational bottlenecks, and support more efficient processing performance.
Elias Aho, Weir’s Pump Optimisation Director, noted that the successful installation of the Warman MCR 750 pumps in China further expands the company’s presence in large-scale mineral processing applications.
“With declining ore grades and increasing demand for minerals, large mill pumps are playing an increasingly important role in helping mining companies improve throughput and optimise plant performance,” he said.
As copper remains a critical resource for renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and global infrastructure development, investments in advanced processing equipment such as high-capacity slurry pumps will continue to play an important role in supporting future mining productivity and operational efficiency.
