Metso Launches Next-generation Coarse Particle Flotation Technology, Sampo™ Cell
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Metso has launched its Sampo™ Cell, a breakthrough innovation in coarse particle flotation that enhances recovery of coarse particles without compromising fine particle recovery, helping mining companies improve the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of their operations.
“Mining companies are under increasing pressure to process more complex ores, improve recovery and reduce their environmental footprint. The Sampo Cell represents a significant leap forward in flotation technology. By expanding the recoverable particle size range and simplifying coarse particle flotation, customers can unlock additional value from existing operations,” said Teemu Kaarniemi, senior vice president of Separation at Metso.
A NEW APPROACH TO COARSE PARTICLE FLOTATION
Traditional flotation circuits typically require extensive grinding to bring particles into an optimal range for efficient recovery. The coarse particle flotation changes this paradigm by expanding flotation performance to significantly coarser and less liberated particle sizes.
Based on a froth-feeding principle, the Sampo Cell technology gently feeds slurry directly into the froth phase, where separation takes place under low-turbulence conditions. This minimizes particle detachment and enables efficient recovery of particles that are typically lost in conventional flotation circuits. The Sampo Cell can be applied for front-end gangue rejection or as a scavenger stage to recover valuable particles from intermediate or final tailings.
The design also simplifies coarse particle flotation flowsheets compared to other solutions. It operates without feed classification, fluidization water, or additional concentrate dewatering stages, reducing equipment requirements, and supporting easier integration into existing plants. The Sampo Cell uses familiar flotation controls and instrumentation, making implementation straightforward for plant operators.
The Sampo Cell is part of the Metso Plus portfolio, supporting more efficient minerals processing through improved energy and water efficiency and higher resource recovery.
INDUSTRIAL-SCALE SUCCESS IN CHILE
Since March 2026, the Sampo Cell has been in continuous 24/7 operation in industrial-scale scavenger duty at a copper mine in Chile. Operated by the customer, the technology has demonstrated a significant increase in total plant recovery by capturing particles typically lost in conventional flotation cells. The implementation has proven the value of coarse particle flotation under real operating conditions.
“The industrial-scale operation in Chile has validated both the performance and scalability of the Sampo Cell. The results show how customers can improve overall plant recovery without major changes to the existing flotation circuit,” said Antti Rinne, vice president of Flotation at Metso.
COMPREHENSIVE FLOTATION EXPERTISE
The launch of the Sampo Cell further strengthens Metso’s leadership in flotation technology. Metso offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive flotation portfolios, covering mechanical flotation, pneumatic flotation, flotation services, process expertise, digital optimization tools, and aftermarket support.
Combined with Metso’s crushing, screening, grinding, filtration, thickening, and tailings solutions, customers benefit from an integrated approach that optimizes performance across the entire minerals processing flowsheet.
Metso is a frontrunner in sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally. They improve its customers’ energy and water efficiency, increase their productivity, and reduce environmental risks with their product and service expertise. Metso is headquartered in Espoo, Finland. At the end of 2024 Metso had close to 17,000 employees in around 50 countries.
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