To Spend or Not?

In an erratic economic environment, plant engineers are stuck between spending millions on critical equipment for water treatment plant projects and containing costs. In the end, mining companies must make decisions informed by the long-term view, writes NICK

BARNES.

The first challenge that faces plant design engineers in upgrading wastewater treatment plants is: How much will it cost?

Understandably, mining companies, like any other business, focused on reducing costs due to a gloomy economic environment. Budgetary constraints come to mind.

But what is overlooked is that, more often than not over time, plant upgrades pay for themselves, or at the very least, save a plant money.

Hence, the enormous responsibility is on wastewater plant engineers to consider this when designing new and upgrading existing infrastructure. Necessity should not be sacrificed for economics.

One of the circumstances in which a challenge arises is during equipment selection. Engineers are faced with the dilemma of higher initial cost with payback over the medium or long term or lower initial cost that meets the bare minimum in fits for purpose.

Whatever it is, ultimately, they have to make informed decisions. They should conduct extensive CAPEX versus OPEX studies in the two phases: planning and implementation of new treatment facilities, and managing and operating existing treatment facilities.

Technology should be explored and considered when replacing equipment like for like. In this way, plant efficiency and efficacy can be achieved.

In the final analysis, rational decisions should be made that will serve the mine water requirements cost-effectively with the long-term view. There is a heavy price to pay with a huge obsession over cost containment.