In AU, you are looking around $20-30k purchase price depending on the quality of built and inclusions/ exclusions. Add approximately $15k for the installed cost.
Though the efficiency of complete dry coal processing plansts can be debated, it theorectically represents the following benefits (water savings being the most obvious one).
No water needed
Modular and flexible plant design, movable asset
Application close to the mining face possible
Reduction of transport costs
Increased capacity in downstream process
Lower capex compared to conventional DMS plant for the same installed capacity
I'm aware that Arnot colliery near Middelburg, RSA installed a 150t/h coal sorting plant - not sure if it is operational anymore.
Treatment and refining charges (TC/RC) are the charges that smelters/ refineries charge to a mine in form of a deduction from the payable metal. Theoretically, these deductions represent what it takes to convert a tonne of concentrate into metal. However, commercially it is a market driven/ negotiated contract term which differs from metal to metal. They are often negotiated annually between the mines and smelters. When there is surplus supply of concentrate in the market, negotiations are generally driven by smelters (and results in increased TC/RC). However when there is shortage of concentrate in the market, mines have the power to negotiate resulting in lower TC/RC.
The process of selection for a technology and the specific factors will differ based on the domain and organisation you work in. However, here are some of the common criterias.
Is the equipment/ technology fit for duty? This factor is easier said than done. This may require you to do testwork, talk to other people who are currently using that technology.
Capex - This factor is the most important and is becoming the single most prominent factor as more and more mining leaders are financial/ accounting guys.
Operating cost - Depending on what the technology domain is, it is important to factor in the day to day costs in running/ operating the equipment/technology.
Ease of maintenance/ operatability - You better involve the guys who are acutally going to operate the kit you are buying. As obvious it sounds, its not a comnon practice.
Supplier Service standards - Supplier is a key stakeholder in your decision of technology selection. So its really important to involve them at the right time and ensure what their service standards are.
In AU, you are looking around $20-30k purchase price depending on the quality of built and inclusions/ exclusions. Add approximately $15k for the installed cost.