Modern Mining April 2021

MODULAR PLANTS

Multotec’s modular spiral test plants – a quick route to production

Building a new processing plant is capital and time intensive. With a small capital outlay required, coupled with short lead times, Multotec’s modular spiral test units enable start-up operations/ junior or artisanal miners to start small and ramp up as they generate cash flow. By Munesu Shoko .

I n a world where access to funding remains the single biggest hurdle for junior miners and capi- tal dilemmas are at the forefront of junior mining executives’ minds, Multotec’s modular spiral test plants offer a quick route to production. Christina Ramotsabi, GM gravity concentration at Multotec, says building a new plant is gener- ally a capital and time intensive exercise, but with Multotec’s modular plants, customers can start small and ramp up as they generate cash flow. Multotec offers spiral test units for both heavy minerals and coal applications. Heavy minerals plants, explains Ramotsabi, comprise four stages of spirals and are capable of processing up to 20 tonnes (t) of dry solids per hour in the feed to the spirals. The coal test plants comprise double-stage MX7 and SX7 spirals, and are capable of processing up to 40 t of coal per hour to the spirals. Cost-effective solution A key benefit of these modular solutions is the lower capital outlay compared with big plants. “In terms of price we are looking at anything up to R5-million for a fully installed four stage spiral plant. From a capi- tal expenditure perspective, this is cost-effective for

Christina Ramotsabi, GM – gravity concentration, Multotec.

junior or artisanal miners. They can start small and scale up as they generate enough cash flow,” she says. Given the compact and modular nature of these plants, lead times are anything between eight and 10 weeks, giving customers a quick route to production. Because of their modular nature, these plants can be erected in a day or two after being delivered to site. The plants have been designed to stand on a level concrete pad or compacted surface, eliminating the need for costly civils on site.

The Multotec modular spiral test units are standalone units and can be skid mounted.

“The plants come pre-assembled in three main sections, making them easy to transport and erect. They can be easily moved from one site to the other and be re-erected in a short space of time,” explains Ramotsabi. “Pre-assembly means that there isn’t much work to be done when the plant arrives on site. In a day or two the plant can be erected and start operat- ing. From a transport perspective, the plant comes in three main sections, meaning that it can be transported on three flatbed trucks.” Benefits abound Multotec’s modular spiral test units are designed to be self-standing. They have a ‘plug and play’ capability and

30  MODERN MINING  April 2021