The following is a case study about an industrial mining photography project we completed for Metso, a global partner and supplier for businesses in the aggregates, mining, metals refining, and recycling industries. This shoot took place over a 3-day timespan at an iron and ore mining site in Northern Quebec. The purpose of the project was to capture images, video clips, and team testimonials of Metso employees replacing a large piece of machinery for marketing purposes.
Who is Metso?
Metso is a leading provider of equipment and services for industrial companies. Founded in 1999 in Finland, through a merger between two notable industrial companies; Valmet and Rauma. While Metso as a company has been in operation for 25 years, it’s history roots back to the early 1900’s with a shipping yard in Helsinki, providing a solid foundation of expertise in industrial operations.
Today, Metso has built a reputation for developing innovative technologies and machinery to improve the efficiency and safety of industrial operations worldwide. The company specializes in the design, manufacturing, and servicing of equipment crucial for mining and rock excavation, metal and waste recycling, as well as for the production of aggregates and manufactured sand.
Metso’s comprehensive portfolio also includes services ranging from engineering and maintenance to logistics and project management, making it a vital partner for businesses aiming to optimize their production processes and environmental impact.
What Makes Metso Different?
What sets Metso apart is its commitment to innovation and sustainability, which is at the core of its business strategy. Metso puts a strong emphasis on research and development to push the boundaries of traditional mining and processing methods. This dedication has led to groundbreaking technologies such as their energy-efficient solutions that significantly reduce customers’ environmental footprint while boosting productivity. Furthermore, Metso’s global presence, with service centers and operations in over 50 countries, ensures that they can provide local, tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of their clients.
Additionally, Metso’s approach to customer service is unparalleled. They offer a comprehensive suite of services that cover the entire lifecycle of their products, from initial engineering to maintenance, upgrades, and even remote monitoring. By leveraging the latest digital technologies, they are able to offer predictive maintenance services, preventing costly downtimes and ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently.
It’s this combination of technological innovation, dedication to sustainability, and
global yet local approach to service that truly makes Metso stand out in the crowded space of industrial mining and processing equipment providers.
Metso and Sustainability
Metso’s commitment to sustainability is evident in their proactive approach to reducing the environmental impact across all areas of their business operation. The company has taken significant steps towards sustainability by implementing strategies focused on decreasing CO2 emissions, increasing the efficiency of water usage, and reducing waste production in their manufacturing processes.
One of Metso’s standout initiatives is the development of their comprehensive tailings management solution, aimed at significantly lowering the environmental footprint of tailings management. This innovative approach not only minimizes water usage but also maximizes the recovery of valuable minerals, thereby reducing the overall waste generated by mining activities.
Furthermore, Metso is also a proud participant in the Circular Economy, emphasizing the reuse and recycling of materials and components in their equipment manufacturing processes. Through these and other efforts detailed in their sustainability report, Metso demonstrates an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship while still providing value to their stakeholders and customers.
Objective:
Why is Industrial Mining Photography Important for Metso?
Industrial mining photography plays a crucial role in Metso’s marketing and communication strategies. By capturing the intricate process of equipment installation and the machinery in operation, these photographs and videos provide a tangible representation of Metso’s technological prowess and engineering capabilities. This visual content helps Metso to visually articulate the value and efficiency of their equipment and services to potential clients, who often need to see to believe. It also aids in demonstrating Metso’s commitment to innovation and sustainability by showcasing their advanced, environmentally responsible technologies in action.
Furthermore, high-quality imagery and video content are indispensable tools for Metso in illustrating the scale, complexity, and precision of their projects. This can significantly enhance their proposals and presentations, giving them an edge in a competitive market. For the end consumers, these visuals serve as evidence of Metso’s capability to handle complex, large-scale projects with expertise and care, thereby building trust and credibility.
Lastly, such visuals are vital for internal purposes as well, documenting the progress and success of installations for analysis, training, and historical records. They enable Metso to tell compelling stories of their achievements and innovations, not just to potential clients, but also to their own employees, stakeholders, and the wider public, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Related: Case Study: Mining Photography for Great Bear Resources
Why are Employee Testimonials Important for Metso?
Testimonials offer authentic insights into the company’s culture, values, and work environment, which can be incredibly appealing to potential talent. Prospective employees often seek a workplace that supports professional growth, innovation, and values their contributions. Hearing directly from current employees can significantly influence their decision to join Metso.
Employee testimonials also serve as a powerful tool in marketing and branding efforts. They humanize the company, moving beyond the corporate facade to demonstrate the passion and commitment of the people behind the machinery and technologies. This not only strengthens Metso’s brand identity but also builds trust with prospective clients and partners who prefer to do business with companies that take good care of their employees.
Capturing employee testimonials directly on the industrial job site, rather than in a more controlled office environment, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the authenticity and credibility of these narratives. Within the rugged, dynamic backdrop of a job site, employees are seen in their actual working conditions, directly interacting with the machinery and technologies that define their daily responsibilities. This setting not only validates their firsthand experience and expertise but also grounds their testimonials in the reality of their work environment.
Additionally, these testimonials can highlight Metso’s dedication to diversity, inclusion, and employee satisfaction. By showcasing a wide range of perspectives and experiences, Metso reinforces its stance as a forward-thinking, employee-centric organization. This goes a long way in fostering loyalty among current employees and attracting a diverse pool of talent.
Why are Aerial Images of a Mine Site Beneficial to Metso?
Industrial mining photography, in the form of aerial images provide a comprehensive overview of the scale and scope of mining operations, capturing the expansive nature of projects Metso is involved in. This bird’s-eye view is instrumental in demonstrating Metso’s capacity to manage and execute large-scale industrial projects, illustrating their expertise and reliability in the field.
Drone photographs also serve as compelling content for marketing and promotional materials. They capture the imagination of potential clients and partners, showcasing the technological marvels and engineering feats achieved by Metso in stunning detail. This type of content can enhance Metso’s brand image, depicting them as a leader in innovation within the mining industry.
Related: Case Study: Industrial Promo Video for Yvon Building Supply
The Process:
10 Hours of Safety Training & Proper PPE
Before any personnel can commence work at the mine site, the completion of 10 hours of site-specific online safety training was required. This comprehensive training program is designed to ensure that all workers are well-versed in essential safety protocols, minimizing the risk of accidents and enhancing overall workplace safety. The curriculum includeded vital topics such as:
- Confined Spaces: Workers learn to identify confined spaces, assess risks associated with working in these environments, and understand the procedures for safe entry and exit, along with emergency response actions.
- Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO): This module covered the critical processes for ensuring that machinery is properly shut down and cannot be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or repair work, preventing accidental operation.
- Emergency Procedures: Training in this area prepares workers to effectively respond to various types of emergencies, including fires, chemical spills, and medical crises, ensuring they know the location of emergency equipment and assembly points.
- Working from Heights: Considering the risks associated with working at elevation, this section educates workers on the use of harnesses, lanyards, guardrails, and other safety equipment, as well as safe practices for working at heights.
- Vehicle Safety: Given the extensive use of vehicles within the mine site, this training emphasizes safe driving practices, and vehicle protocols, along with guidelines for pedestrian and vehicle interactions to avoid accidents.
- Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This essential module focused on the importance of wearing appropriate PPE at all times while on the job site. Including the requirement for an orange safety jumpsuit, which significantly enhances worker visibility, reducing the risk of accidents in busy or low-visibility areas of the mine site. As well as, the mandatory metatarsal steel toe boots, designed to protect the feet from heavy falling objects, sharp protrusions, and helps to prevent slips, trips, and falls by providing better traction on uneven surfaces.
Completion of this training was not just a mere formality but a crucial requirement that underpins the safety culture at Metso and their client’s operations. It equips workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely navigate the unique challenges posed by the mining environment, fostering a secure and productive workplace.
The inherent complexities of the mining environment often necessitate complete shutdowns when critical equipment replacement is underway. Metso, understanding the significant impact this has on operations, meticulously plans these shutdowns with their clients to ensure minimal disruption to the site’s productivity. However, unforeseen circumstances can sometimes extend these shutdowns beyond the anticipated timeframe.
At this particular shoot, the equipment replacement was delayed by 24 hours due to a production deadline at the mine site. This unexpected delay not only impacted Metso’s install schedule but also required a swift and strategic adjustment to our planned activities. Specifically, the delay significantly affected our industrial mining photography and videography plan, which was meticulously scheduled to capture the core of Metso’s operations during peak activity.
Faced with the challenge of an idle first day, we pivoted our plan towards focusing on preparatory and behind-the-scenes activities, showcasing the rigorous safety protocols, the detailed planning that goes into equipment replacement, and the teamwork among Metso’s personnel to manage such unexpected events efficiently. This approach not only allowed us to make productive use of the downtime but also offered a unique insight into the resilience and adaptability at the heart of Metso’s operations.
Storytelling Techniques
To effectively convey the story of Metso’s business, we employed a variety of storytelling techniques that brought their industrial operations to life. Utilizing dynamic drone footage, we captured the vastness and complexity of the mine site, offering viewers a panoramic perspective that ground-based photography simply cannot match. This aerial vantage point emphasized the scale of Metso’s projects and their capability to manage extensive mining operations.
Narrative storytelling played a pivotal role in our approach, weaving together the technical aspects of Metso’s work with personal stories from the employees. By highlighting individual roles and experiences, we were able to humanize the industrial process, creating a more engaging and relatable story for our audience. Interviews with key personnel provided insights into the challenges and triumphs faced by the team, offering an inside look at the collaborative spirit driving Metso’s success.
The visual representation of teamwork within Metso’s operations played a crucial role in illustrating the company’s collaborative ethos. The industrial mining photography serves not just as proof of Metso’s operational efficiency, but also it embodies the spirit of unity and shared purpose among the workforce. By emphasizing these aspects, the storytelling not only paints a picture of a well-coordinated machine but also humanizes the entire operation, making the narrative more relatable and impactful for the audience.
Related: Authenticity: The Power of Visual Storytelling
Usage
Metso intends to leverage the robust collection of images, video clips, aerial footage, and employee testimonials gathered from their Northern Quebec project in several strategic ways. First and foremost, these materials will be pivotal in enhancing Metso’s marketing efforts. By integrating authentic visuals and testimonials into their website, social media channels, and promotional materials, Metso aims to showcase the breadth and depth of their expertise in the mining sector. This approach not only demonstrates their technological capabilities and commitment to safety but also humanizes the brand, making it more relatable to both current and prospective clients.
Furthermore, Metso plans to incorporate this content into their internal communications and external recruitment efforts. The real-world examples of problem-solving, teamwork, and safety protocols captured on-site will serve as a valuable tool for unity and teambuilding within the company, as well as offering new hires and prospective employees valuable insights into the company. These materials will help to illustrate best practices, reinforce the company’s safety culture, and inspire a sense of pride and belonging.
Additionally, Metso recognizes the potential of these materials in client presentations and proposals. By presenting vivid, firsthand accounts of their project successes and the challenges they’ve overcome, Metso can more effectively communicate their value proposition to a diverse audience—ranging from potential investors to new clients and industry partners.
Ultimately, the industrial mining photography and videography gathered from the Northern Quebec project is seen as a key asset in not only bolstering Metso’s market presence but also in fostering a more informed, cohesive, and motivated workforce.
Related: Case Study: Industrial Railway Photography for Cando Rail
Conclusion
The strategic utilization of industrial mining photography and videography at Metso’s Northern Quebec project underscores the profound impact of visual storytelling in the industrial sector. This well-curated collection of images and video clips goes beyond mere visual appeal; it serves as a dynamic tool for communication, showcasing Metso’s technological prowess, commitment to safety, and the spirit of teamwork that pervades their operations.
By artfully blending the technical elements of their work with the human stories behind their achievements, Metso not only enhances its marketing strategy but also strengthens internal cohesion and attracts future talent. This venture into visual storytelling represents a significant investment in Metso’s brand identity, laying down a foundation for more engaging, authentic, and impactful connections with all stakeholders.
The successful capture and utilization of this visual content are not just a testament to the power of photography in conveying complex industrial stories but also highlight Metso’s forward-thinking approach in documenting and sharing their work with the world.
If you have any questions, or if you would like to learn more about industrial mining photography or our other services, please contact us. We would be happy to discuss your specific needs and see how we can help take your visual marketing to the next level.
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