ME FIT Programs

ME FIT Grinding

We offer integral and technical solutions to help our customers tackle the unique challenges at each mining operation and to positively impact priority KPIs: tons per hour, safety management, availability and maintainability of equipment, risk prevention, among others.

ME FIT Crushing

We design solutions to help our customers achieve their goals by combining crusher wear parts with technology tools, advice, training and monitoring — all of which allow us to create value in our customers’ processes.

Products and services

Crushing

We provide wear parts for primary, secondary and tertiary crushing applications for the mining, aggregate and recycle industries with optimal designs and alloys specifically developed for each application.

Grinding

We are the world leader in designing and supplying highly engineered grinding mill liners for SAG, AG, ball, tower and rod milling.

Grinding Media

ME Elecmetal designs, manufactures and supplies the highest quality forged steel grinding media for SAG, ball and rod mills in the world.

Digital solutions

Technology solutions that add value to mining processes for making timely decisions and recommendations to ME Elecmetal's clients.

Mining 4.0

ME Digital Lab

ME Elecmetal combines technology and innovation to serve the global mining industry with integral solutions to optimize processes.

ME Elecmetal Celebrates its Production Expansion with Anniversary Milestones in China and Chile

The demand for copper and other key metals in mining is a constant in the industry, prompting ME Elecmetal to expand its global footprint. The company has strategically built and acquired plants in various regions worldwide, ensuring not only the production of steel necessary for its mining customers but also enhancing value through sustainable practices and proximity to clients.

Since 2001, ME Elecmetal has experienced robust expansion and diversification, establishing various commercial and production facilities across North and South America, Africa, and Asia. This growth is exemplified by the recent anniversaries of two significant plants, which mark important milestones in the company’s global expansion.

  • ME Elecmetal China, through its Changzhou Plant, in the northeastern of Shanghai began its operations in 2014 and since then its market and area of influence have been growing rapidly, delivering solutions of excellence for mining clients to different countries and comprising 310 collaborators at the plant, achieving an annual production capacity of 33,000 metric tons.

  • ME Elecmetal Chile, operating from the Rancagua Plant in the O’Higgins region, commenced its operations in 2003 after a partial acquisition from Codelco, achieving full ownership a few years later. The plant underwent significant remodeling starting in 2015, which was completed in 2016. Today, it employs 600 people and has an annual production capacity of 32,000 metric tons, reinforcing its commitment to delivering quality products and services to the mining sector.

Customers are consistently in search of spare parts and/or service add-ons, as well as partners that can offer integral solutions to enhance their performance. Meeting this demand is a key challenge for ME Elecmetal across its global operations. Consequently, customers appreciate ME Elecmetal’s ability to cater to diverse markets, ensuring the company remains close to its clients, no matter their geographical location. This commitment to proximity and responsiveness reinforces ME Elecmetal’s reputation as a trusted ally in the mining industry.

Over the Past 10 Years of ME Elecmetal's Presence in Changzhou, China and Rancagua, Chile, the Following Achievements Stand Out:

ME Elecmetal China

Commitment to Excellence: ME Elecmetal China has focused on balancing people development, customer needs, responsibility, sustainability, and a proactive pursuit of excellence.

Great Place to Work Award: For the third consecutive year, the plant has been recognized with the Great Place to Work China award, highlighting its positive work environment.

Significant Investment: The establishment of the plant involved a USD 45 million investment, allowing for the production of 30,000 tons of products annually.

Global Reach: The facility serves over 90 mining clients across China, Europe, Asia, and Africa, including notable companies such as BHP, B2Gold, Teck, First Quantum, Kinross, Barrick, and Sumitomo.

ME Elecmetal Chile

Integral Solutions in Mining: ME Elecmetal Chile actively seeks to provide integral solutions, promoting collaborative initiatives to identify and implement operational efficiencies for its customers.

LEAN Team Initiatives: The implementation of LEAN teams has led to initiatives that explore and scale operational improvements.

Health and Safety Commitment: The company adheres to a Zero Harm policy globally, with the Rancagua Plant equipped with a 24/7 first aid room and other health and safety measures.

Facility Upgrades: After 11 years of operation, the Rancagua Plant underwent significant remodeling to address current and future demands in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil, serving key clients such as BHP's Escondida, Anglo American, Collahuasi, and Codelco.

Since its inception in 1917, ME Elecmetal has prioritized sustainability through innovation, circularity, and collaboration. This commitment is evident in the technologies implemented, the continuous recycling of metal raw materials, and the encouragement of partnerships that drive innovation. The journey can be divided into two key phases, with 2001 marking a pivotal turning point.

 

Phase 1. Establishment & Development (1917-2001)

Key advancements during this period include:

  • Founding of Elecmetal: The Electrometallurgical Company was established in Chile in 1917, marking the beginning of what would become ME Elecmetal.
  • Minneapolis Electric Steel: In the U.S., the company reopened Minneapolis Electric Steel in 1917 after a fire disrupted its operations in 1912. This was later supplemented by the acquisition of Capitol Castings in Tempe, Arizona.
  • Formation of ME Elecmetal: The acquisition of Minneapolis Electric Steel by Elecmetal in 2001 marked the birth of the global company we know today as ME Elecmetal.

Phase 2. Expansion and Diversification (2001-2024)

This phase highlights significant growth and diversification initiatives:

  • Acquisition of Foundries: The purchase of the Duluth (Minnesota) and Tempe (Arizona) foundries was pivotal, further solidifying ME Elecmetal’s presence in North America.
  • Entry into China: The establishment of a 50/50 joint venture with Long Teng Steel led to the creation of ME Long Teng (MELT) and the installation of a new grinding media plant in Changshu, China.
  • Modernization of the Rancagua Plant: Between 2009 and 2012, the Rancagua Plant underwent significant modernization and expansion to enhance production capabilities.
  • Changzhou Foundry: In 2014, ME Elecmetal opened its first fully owned foundry in Changzhou, China, marking a major step in its global expansion strategy.
  • Zambia Plant Opening: The ME Long Teng (MELT) grinding media plant in Zambia was opened between 2016 and 2018, further extending ME Elecmetal’s reach in Africa.
  • Acquisition of Funvesa: In early 2024, ME Elecmetal acquired the Funvesa foundry in Peru, enhancing its production capabilities in South America.
  • Global Sustainability Committee: The launch of this committee established a framework for implementing ME Elecmetal’s Global Sustainability Strategy, which included the introduction of the Carbon Lite Ball, achieving a remarkable 50% reduction in CO2 emissions.

We now enter a Third Phase: Global Scope 3 – Partner for Sustainable Mining, which underscores our ongoing dedication to sustainability in the mining industry.

“The main aspect that distinguishes the success of our teamwork lies in the deep respect for our people’s dignity, which is a core part of our corporate culture.”

— Anna Wang, Marketing Manager ME Elecmetal China.

 

“The development and progress of the Rancagua Plant are intricately linked to the innovative environments we have established and our commitment to advancing them to the highest standards.”

— José Pablo Domínguez, Operations Manager South America, ME Elecmetal.

ME Elecmetal is committed to continuously assessing the needs of the mining industry and identifying operations that can benefit from value-added improvements. We focus on the quality of our inputs and the final value derived from factors such as proximity, transportation, and our expertise in recovering raw materials from our mining clients, effectively transforming our clients into key suppliers within the broader mining ecosystem.

Solutions

ME FIT Programs

Products and services

Mining 4.0

Select language