RME celebrates 20 years in South America

Mill relining systems Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), RUSSELL MINERAL EQUIPMENT (RME) is celebrating its 20th anniversary in South America. 

Highlighting its ongoing deep connection and commitment to the region, RME is seizing the milestone to express its gratitude to the team members, Customers and suppliers who made RME the region's most trusted OEM of mill relining technologies.

 RME’s history in South America dates to 1996 with the export of the first RUSSELL Mill Relining Machine (MRM) to the region. With a steady stream of technology installations in the years that followed, RME established a direct presence in the region in the year 2004 to better serve its growing Customer base. 

Today, RME has five dedicated RME Regional Service Centres in Latin America and its equipment operates on 77 Latin American mine sites across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama and Peru. 

Deep roots: 20 years of Customer delivery and sustainable growth

RME Founder, Executive Chairman and Chief Engineer, Dr John Russell described South America as a cornerstone of RME's operations. 

“Latin America is home to some of RME’s oldest and most loyal Customers, with well-maintained RUSSELL MRMs routinely exceeding 20 years of field operation. 

“An unwavering dedication to precision engineering and quality manufacturing ensures our mill relining systems perform optimally, translating to a lower total cost of ownership and higher return on investment for our Customers across Latin America and beyond. 

“With more than 100 RME employees in Latin America, the region is also home to RME’s largest cohort of specialised local technical staff, outside Australia. 

“We are committed to transferring our knowledge and skills to benefit career development of local employees, as well as their families and communities, while ultimately improving the safety of our Customers’ reline crews and mill relining productivity.  

“As we celebrate 20 years in South America, and also approach 40 years since RME was founded, we look to the future and remain deeply committed to expanding our business in Latin America.”

To mark the celebration, RME is also releasing a new 'We are RME South America' film. Featuring RME South American team members, the film shines a light on the dedication to customer delivery and improving mill relining safety and concentrator performance in the region.

A leader in advanced technology adoption 

The first commercial adoption of THUNDERBOLT SKYWAY, RME's technology that roboticises the operation of THUNDERBOLT Recoilless Hammer for safer and faster worn liner knock-in, was in Panama.

Securing this initial site in 2019 was an important step in commercialising RME’s advanced relining methods and technologies. Not only did the company gain valuable insights for its innovation program, but this installation demonstrated to industry that it’s possible to eliminate fatal risk and move workers out of the line of fire during mill relining operations. 

“Thanks to their safety leadership, over 30 relines globally, utilising various products from the RME Advanced Technology Mill Relining System, have demonstrated the System’s broad applicability to diverse mine sites, especially in Latin America which operates some of the world’s largest mills, long-life mines, and high-altitude sites.

“The region continues to work at the forefront of advanced safety and automation technology adoption with growing interest and investment in the world’s best safety technologies.

“Through 40 years of persistent innovation and enduring commitment from an exceptionally talented team at RME, forward-thinking Customers and reliable suppliers, we are well-positioned for continued growth and leadership in Latin America.” 

The power of ‘juntos’

RME’s Regional General Manager for South America, Manuel Galvez, joined RME more than 14 years ago and leads the team across the region. He describes RME as having a collaborative culture.  
 
“Our ‘juntos’ program, launched in 2019, which in Spanish means togetherness and symbolises working together towards a common purpose, is now an integral part of our culture across the globe and one of the key characteristics of our high-performance team here in Latin America,” Mr Galvez said. 

“I am proud of the business and team we have built across Latin America, and the impact our inventions and dedicated support services are having for our Customers.

“Furthermore, RME’s 40-year history of supply to mine sites globally means we can deliver highly personalised, data-driven support. This extensive historical insight and site expertise enables us to proactively drive maintenance actions that ensure our products deliver the highest performance, uptime, and lifespan in the industry, ultimately reducing total cost of ownership for our Customers.

“These efforts enhance our Customers’ safety and mill availability while also generating valuable local employment opportunities.” 

A more sustainable future 

RME aspires to improve the human condition through responsible access to metals at lower cost. 

The company’s commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles is embedded in its business strategy and throughout its operations. 

“Furthermore, RME’s liner exchange machines are electro-hydraulically powered, and unlike fossil fuel-driven mining equipment, are ready for sustainable energy sources without requiring power system modifications.”

RME believes that future development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability for the ongoing improvement of the human condition. That same belief underpins its inventions.

“As we continue our ESG journey,” added Dr Russell, “RME is dedicated to making meaningful progress towards more sustainable business practices that are essential for the wellbeing of our people, planet and the long-term success of our company and the many livelihoods it supports.

“Together with our Customers, suppliers, and employees, we aim to build a safer, more sustainable, and responsible future for the minerals industry. 

“I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the many people – employees, Customers, suppliers and other partners – who have contributed to RME’s 20-year legacy of improved safety and productivity in Latin America. 

“RME was founded on the belief that we could make things better, and through the work we have done here, and continue to do together, I believe we have.”

RME wins the ALABC 2024 Business Excellence Award

In August this year, RME’s commitment and success in Latin America was recognised by the Australia-Latin America Business Council (ALABC), with RME winning the 2024 Business Excellence Award. 
 
The ALABC awards celebrate “exceptional Australian organisations for their outstanding business achievements in Latin America”, recognising excellence in trade and investment based on business strategy and growth, product and service innovation, ESG practices, and commitment to the Latin American region.  

RME was recognised by ALABC with the same award in 2009 demonstrating the RME team’s ongoing exceptional track record of delivering economic and safety benefits in collaboration with our Latin American Customers.  

About RUSSELL MINERAL EQUIPMENT 

RUSSELL MINERAL EQUIPMENT (RME) is the world’s leading Mill Relining Systems Technology OEM. We invent machine systems and service-based solutions for problems encountered in the world’s mining and mineral processing industries. Our technologies deliver short shutdowns, high mill availability and safe working environments. Established in 1985, RME has grown to operate in 64 countries, has 13 international Sales and Service Centres and employs more than 450 people worldwide. For more information about RME: www.rmeglobal.com 

Media contact
Elisa Davies (On behalf of Emma Needham)
+61 (0)413528129
elisa.davies@rmeglobal.com.au

High resolution images are available upon request.