Input vs Output, TPA vs TPH.Nearly all mine processes rate the mines as Tonnes Per Hour of raw ore throughput/Input or feed rates (all the same), and the Output/Product is always variable due to grades, feed quality and process plant efficiencies, so it makes sense to quote feed rates rather than product rates to the shareholders because most investors have no idea, but they do like big numbers. lol.
It does sound nice to hear 1.2 mil tpa througput, but in perspective it is 137 tph, or 2.28 Tonnes Per Minute.
Hell McDonalds does more in potatoes to make hash browns world wide. lol
2.0 mil tpa is 228 tph throughput or 3.8 Tonnes Per Minute.
Still small potatoes.
The plant can handle much more imho.
When you break down the impressive "Millions of Tonnes Per Year" to hours, it kind of takes the edge off a bit, plus it is raw ore and not product.
They can assure a steady feed rate but not a reliant output.
Density, Mass and Volume are some points to rating and designing a plant and should be not compared to other minerals..
The Sangdong raw ore is very dense (Tungsten, Granite, Quartz and some), the Mass is the weight of these materials (Kilos or Tonnes) and the Volume is the Physical Space or size it takes up in an area. ie A kilo of raw Tungsten ore might fit into a 0.5 to 0.75 litre container (for expample only), while a kilo of raw corn kernels cooked and popped (with salt and butter) might fill a container size of 1.9 to 2.5 litres (depending on the website you visit).
Same mass, but different density and volume.
In the coal mining plants that I have worked on, the feed rates were generally from 600 to 1,200 tph and raw run of mine coal is generally mixed with shale, dirt and soft rock.
Lower density, lower mass and higher volume.
I'll tag this one on to save me reposting.
From Quarterdollar :- - "According to 5ilver, there isn't a lot of room on site for more mining equipment or is there?"
Remember I said I had an obsession with the "Grey Buiding" ?
I now think Almonty knew way in advance that the shallow Molly site was a goer, plus the Downstream Project is to be incorporated into to process, so if they use the "grey building" for this there is no need for more space. It was all allocated well in advace.
All this has been years in the making and as usual, guess who finds out last ?
Now I have talked myself into getting some microwave popcorn damn it.
And toothpicks. lol