Modern Mining April 2018

MODULAR PLANTS

who want to process 400 to 600 t/h of feed material to the RC, and FLSmidth can take its modular concept in this direction. Practically, this capacity range is normally associated with a fixed plant. “For any of our customers who have dumps or stockpiles of fines that they want to recover minerals from, the modular RC solution is ideal,” he says. “We can even operate the plant on the customer’s behalf; no‑one knows our equipment better than we do, so we can ensure that it performs to expectation.” For those customers that choose not to pur- chase the whole solution, there are options such as a Rand-per-tonne toll treatment arrange- ment, or a production sharing scheme where FLSmidth finances the plant and takes a share of what it produces. “Essentially, we are putting our money where our mouth is,” he says. “It is this inno- vative thinking that defines our approach; our focus is on ways to make our customers more money and we have therefore put these differ- ent financial models on the table for customers to see what best suits them.” Outlining the benefits of the modular for- mat, Hazell emphasises that construction takes place under controlled conditions in a factory environment with final testing before the units are dismantled and dispatched to site. This makes the on-site re-establishment

process simpler, faster and less disruptive. “Nobody wants construction activity on site at an operating mine, with all the related safety and logistical issues that can create chal- lenges,” he says. “The benefit of our modular RC plant is that it can be off-loaded on site quickly and easily, and the pipework and elec- trical connections quickly linked up to begin commissioning.” The concept can be adapted to a range of client requirements, he adds, and usually just needs a concrete slab to create a bunded area that will contain spillage. 

A close up of a millMAX centrifugal pump with direct overhead configuration on a modular RC plant.

A Krebs desliming cyclone with stacker booms in the background.

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April 2018  MODERN MINING  39