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May 2016
MODERN MINING
39
MODULAR PLANTS
feature
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.
modular plant business
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