ME Elecmetal’s Integral Solutions in Action

Alvaro Braun on Delivering Measurable Results Through Innovation, Partnership, and Continuous Improvement

In mining, uptime, safety, and efficiency are non-negotiable. To stay ahead, operations need partners who deliver more than parts—they need fully integrated solutions. ME Elecmetal, a global leader in wear solutions and optimization services, is meeting that demand with innovative mill and crusher technologies, digital innovation, and a relentless focus on continuous improvement.

We spoke with Alvaro Braun, Vice President of Commercial – North America, about how ME Elecmetal is redefining grinding and crushing performance, raising safety standards, and delivering measurable results for customers across the globe.

Integral Solutions

Interviewer: Alvaro, ME Elecmetal has been a global name in mining solutions for over a century. What sets your approach apart when it comes to mill and crusher optimization?

Alvaro Braun: At ME Elecmetal, our foundation is the Continuous Improvement Process. We design and engineer mill liners, grinding media, and crusher wear parts with one goal in mind—maximize performance, minimize downtime, and deliver the lowest total cost of ownership.

But what really sets us apart is that we don’t just provide products—we deliver integral solutions. By working side-by-side with our customers, we tailor every design to their specific operating conditions, monitor results closely, and refine those solutions over time. It’s an ongoing partnership, not a one-time transaction, and that’s how we consistently drive measurable improvements in safety, availability, and productivity.

Mill Liners: Engineering for Performance

Interviewer: Let’s start with mill liners. How is ME Elecmetal pushing performance forward in this area?

Alvaro Braun: Our high-performance grinding mill liners are engineered with advanced materials, cutting-edge modeling technology, and backed by insights from our global installation database. We analyze each site’s operating conditions, listen closely to our customers’ needs, and design tailored liner systems that help them achieve—or surpass—key performance targets such as throughput, efficiency, uptime, and safety.

A standout example is our ME PolyFIT^® hybrid liners, which combine abrasion-resistant rubber with our proven steels and white irons. In the right applications, they deliver the durability of a casting while enabling faster, safer installation thanks to fewer components and lighter weight. For customers, this means higher mill availability, increased throughput, reduced noise levels, and lower total liner weight—a true game-changer in mill optimization.

Grinding Media: Collaboration at the Core

Interviewer: And what about grinding media? How are you supporting customers in that area?

Alvaro Braun: We’re recognized as a global leader in forged steel grinding media, but what truly sets us apart is our collaborative approach. Our application engineers work side by side with customers to optimize media selection, fine-tune charging practices, and maximize throughput. We don’t just supply grinding balls—we support the entire lifecycle with data analytics, performance tracking, and continuous improvement.

With large-scale manufacturing capacity and a robust global supply chain, we provide consistent, on-time deliveries worldwide. Just as important, we adapt solutions as operations evolve, ensuring long-term reliability and performance.

Crusher Wear Solutions: Reliability and Safety

Interviewer: What about the crushing side—how are you improving uptime and safety there?

Alvaro Braun: We supply high-performance crusher wear solutions designed to maximize throughput and wear life across primary, secondary, and tertiary applications. Our focus is on overall crusher performance, ensuring liners fully utilize the machine’s available power—regardless of brand, model, or application.

We also offer more than ten proprietary manganese-bearing steel alloys to withstand the most aggressive conditions. Every liner is built for reliability, quick changeouts, and seamless integration with existing equipment, helping operations maintain uptime, reduce risk, and keep production moving.

And safety is always front and center. With our Crusher Safety Tooling, maintenance teams can work faster and with less exposure to hazards. It’s about protecting people first—while keeping plants running at peak performance and minimizing costly downtime.

Advanced Optimization Tools: Turning Data into Action

Interviewer: ME Elecmetal has introduced several  digital tools. How are these helping customers make smarter decisions?

Alvaro Braun: Digital innovation is a big focus for us. Our QuickScan™ systems—for both crushers and SAG mills—provide fast, remote, and accurate scans. For example:

Our QuickScan™ Crusher is a remote-controlled robotic scanning system that captures precise visuals of primary crushers without manual cleaning or entry—improving safety and speeding up inspections.

Then there’s QuickScan™ Grinding, which scans a full SAG mill in about 15 minutes without anyone stepping inside. That’s a big safety and productivity win.

We also offer 3D Laser Scanning and Wear & Performance Tracking, giving customers real-time visibility into asset condition, wear patterns, and performance trends. This data-driven approach empowers teams to make faster, smarter, and safer maintenance decisions.

Interviewer: How fast can customers expect to see results?

Alvaro Braun: That’s a key advantage. We provide preliminary wear reports within two hours, and full, detailed reports in two business days. It’s all about providing customers with fast, accurate, and actionable insights so they can make the right decisions without delay.

Interviewer: You’ve also introduced some interesting fastening technology. How does ME SecureFIT® change the game?

Alvaro Braun: ME SecureFIT® External Bolting eliminates the need for personnel to enter the mill during liner installation, which greatly improves safety and reduces downtime. This technology is available not only with our ME PolyFIT^® products but also with our traditional cast liners, making it an industry game-changer. By reducing human-machine interaction and streamlining installation, we’re helping customers achieve faster changeouts without sacrificing performance or reliability.

We’ve taken it further with our ME SecureFIT® Smart Bolting System (SBS) — this uses sensorized bolts to monitor tension in real time, enabling predictive maintenance and helping avoid failures before they happen. For mills and other mission-critical equipment, this technology represents a leap in safety, reliability, and uptime.

Sustainability and Global Support

Interviewer: Sustainability is top-of-mind for many mining companies. What role does ME Elecmetal play in this space?

Alvaro Braun: Sustainability is embedded in our strategy. Our cast liners are 100% recyclable, and we remanufacture key components using recovered grinding balls. We also help customers shrink their environmental footprint by improving equipment efficiency and reducing waste.

Interviewer: With such a global footprint, how do you support customers across different regions?

Alvaro Braun: We operate ten metallurgical plants worldwide and serve customers in more than 40 countries. That gives us the ability to provide localized service with global expertise—delivering consistency, speed, and reliability everywhere we operate. Our goal is always to be a long-term partner, not just a supplier.

Where to Connect

Interviewer: Where can mining professionals connect with ME Elecmetal in person?

Alvaro Braun: We’ll be at MineXchange 2026 SME Annual Conference & Expo, taking place February 22-25, 2026, in Salt Lake City. Visit us at Booth #2003 to learn more about how our integral solutions can optimize your operations.

🔗 Event details: https://usa.me-elecmetal.com/en-us/events/minexchange-2026-sme-annual-conference-expo/

🌐: www.me-elecmetal.com
📞: +1 480-730-7500

Closing Note from Alvaro Braun:

“True partnership is the key to continuous improvement. Our team at ME Elecmetal is ready to collaborate with you to transform challenges into measurable results. Let’s start the conversation.”

About ME Elecmetal

ME Elecmetal is a leading global supplier and strategic partner in the mineral processing, aggregate, construction, and recycling industries, renowned for its commitment to innovation and technology. Dedicated to delivering cutting-edge, sustainable solutions, ME Elecmetal consistently exceeds customer expectations worldwide.

With a comprehensive range of products and services—including grinding media, mill liners, crusher liners, and large specialty castings—ME Elecmetal is the preferred partner for crusher operators and mineral processors looking to optimize their operations.

The company operates ten state-of-the-art metallurgical plants strategically located across Chile, the USA, Peru, China, South Africa, Indonesia, and Zambia. With a robust manufacturing capacity exceeding 134,000 tons for foundry products and 600,000 tons for grinding media, the company continues to meet the growing demands of the mining industry.

ME Elecmetal’s commercial presence extends to over 40 countries, solidifying ME Elecmetal’s position as a global leader in delivering innovative solutions to critical sectors around the world.

Learn more about ME Elecmetal’s global footprint and commitment to excellence in integral solutions at www.me-elecmetal.com.