Services / Design & Engineering (Preliminary & Detailed)
Conceptual design and preliminary engineering can provide process flow sheets, general arrangement drawings, major equipment lists and the development of ±40% order of magnitude capital and operating cost estimate. The specifics of the designed system are contingent on the outcome of the aforementioned test work. However, should the test work not be completed, Golder PasteTec™ will develop a system for completion of preliminary engineering based on a list of assumptions necessary to address all uncertainties.
Backfill and Surface Disposal
Golder PasteTec™ can develop a process flow sheet and provide documentation for the surface plant to provide backfill (rock, hydraulic slurry or paste fill) or waste disposal for a mine, at rates necessary to meet the demands of the mining method or milling rate and at a consistency as determined by the test work, or as assumed.
Flow sheets will include preliminary solids and water balance, capacities, rates, and overall system configuration. Preliminary general arrangement drawings showing equipment layout in the existing or new building and a summary of required services for the plant operation will also be developed.
Backfill and Surface Disposal Delivery Systems
Golder PasteTec™ can review, layout and conduct preliminary design of an underground borehole/pipeline or raised distribution system for placement of the fill (rock, hydraulic slurry, or paste fill) in the mine. As well, we can review, layout and provide a preliminary design of a dewatering, pump and pipeline distribution system for surface waste disposal.
The flow sheets will include distribution system pipeline diameter, pipeline material selection, operating pressures, discharge configuration, pre-discharge site preparation and overall system configuration. The development of preliminary general arrangement drawings show overall layout and a summary of required services for the distribution system operation.
Capital and Operating Cost Estimate
An order of magnitude capital and operating cost for the above systems can be developed showing the equipment, construction and commissioning cost. Operating manpower, scheduling and support is estimated to determine the system operating cost on a $/tonne of ore mined. The above capital cost can be depreciated over the life of the project and combined with the operating cost to estimate the actual $/tonne associated with the given system.
