With its range of mobile crushing equipment, MMD is revolutionising sizing processes and spearheading a shift towards greener, more cost-effective mining practices. This article focuses on how MMD’s mobile solutions are reshaping the industry landscape, prioritising environmental stewardship and financial prudence.

Major capital expenditure is often investors’ primary concern when deciding whether to start a mining operation. Many questions need to be considered–especially those with financial implications. These include: What roads need building? What fixed plant is needed? How many trucks are required to transport ore? Are rail tracks necessary to get the extracted minerals to the port?

An essential piece of equipment to consider is the crushing station. Big mining enterprises traditionally opt for fixed plant installations, especially if forward planners and others can see that life-of-mine expectations are measured in decades rather than years. Historically, this made sense if a mine would be around for such a long time, as the return on investment (ROI) would play out over this period.

However, a mobile plant is often a more suitable match. This could be for a variety of reasons. The lifespan of the mine may only warrant intensive initial capital spend if it sees returns. The location of the mine is so remote that the infrastructure costs of setting up a permanent plant or transporting equipment would make the operation economically unviable. Material processing needs to be conducted close to where the ore is being extracted as the mine develops: fixed plant relocation or increasing haulage costs would prove cumbersome.

Finally, a mine’s main deposits could be some distance apart, requiring a mobile solution.

Thankfully, specialist mining plant companies like MMD have a range of mobile crushing/ sizing plant solutions that are reliable and efficient in a compact size.

MMD has a distinct range of tailorable, fully mobile, and semi-mobile Sizer stations capable of handling up to 10,000 TPH. These solutions can meet the expectations of most mining operations that don’t want a heavy capital spend or high OPEX costs or are looking to mine in hard-to-access, remote areas.

At the smaller end of the scale, MMD offers a trailer-mounted sizing station. As the name suggests, this unit is transported quickly to the site by a tractor unit, with minimal setup time or relocation time, enabling sites to begin working almost immediately.

It offers all the functionality of fixed plant, including the ability to process a range of materials via a primary, secondary, or tertiary sizer installed. Various tooth designs and configurations are available to suit each application. A hydraulic folding conveyor and hydraulic dolly legs facilitate more accessible road network transportation. Controls can be located on board the station or remotely.

Another option is the company’s FMS 500 Sizer station, track or skid-mounted and modular in construction. The unit can be constructed to a client’s specifications. It is more robust than the trailer-mounted option, has a low-cost setup, and, similar to the trailer-mounted options, can be operated in remote locations.

These Sizer stations are specifically designed for lower tonnage applications, typically from 300 TPH to 2,000 TPH. In keeping with MMD’s commitment to greener mining, the stations have minimal environmental impact, virtually no ground preparation work is required, and utilise the latest motor technology for lower energy costs.

When feeding the Sizer, a loader, excavator, or conveyor feed is possible, which means large volumes of ore can be processed where and when required.

MMD’s fully mobile and semi-mobile sizing units are the more cost-effective CAPEX option for investors. They deliver better OPEX costs for mine operations while providing unparalleled flexibility. Unlike a traditional fixed plant, which often takes an extended time to set up correctly, MMD’s mobile equipment can start working as soon as it arrives on site.