Modern Mining May 2016

MODULAR PLANTS

modular plant business

Above: DRA has supplied 12 plants over the past 11 years to diamond producer Alrosa for its operations in Russia.

Above right: DRA’s modular diamond plants – an example is seen here – range in capacity from 3 t/h exploration plants through to 240 t/h production plants using single and twin- streamed DMS modules. Right: A typical DRA modular coal plant incorporating a dual DMS and spirals. as all the associated infrastructure required,” he says. “We’re also assisting the client with finan- cial requirements and providing the necessary skills for optimal plant operation. In all, the whole process from contract signing to produc- tion will be around seven months.” Hopwood points out that the modular plant business is not huge within the context of the greater DRA group. “DRA – which employs 3 000 people globally – is a multi-disciplinary group providing all the design and engineering services required to advance mineral projects from concept to commissioning and operations and is particularly well-known for its expertise in designing and constructing large-scale pro- cessing plants, usually on an EPCM basis,” he states. “Modular plants form only a small part of its overall activity, measured by either turn- over or the number of employees. The Modular Division is nevertheless a key part of DRA. In particular, it allows us to address the needs of

the smaller and mid-tier mining companies who form a substantial – and growing – part of DRA’s customer base and ensures that we have a full spectrum capability in respect of mineral processing.” In terms of capacity, DRA’s modular plants range from 5 t/h to 250 t/h. “Of course, 250 t/h

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May 2016  MODERN MINING  39