When carrying out mining operations, crushing large rocks and minerals into smaller pieces plays a crucial role in determining the productivity of the whole process. When it comes to deciding the best crushing equipment, there is a key decision one has to make, which is choosing a stationary or mobile crushing plant. Each of the following options has merits and demerits. Understanding the difference between the two is essential to make a well-informed decision that follows your needs. In the next article, we will delve into details of the characteristics of stationary and mobile crushing plants to help you and other operators pick the right solution.
What is a Stationary Crushing Plant?
As the name suggests, the stationary crushing plant is built at the mining site. When the fixed crushing plant is built on a site, it is tough to relocate; therefore, it`s suitable for long-term projects which need constituency when it comes to crushing materials. The main merit of a stationary crushing plant is stability. When setting up, they create a foundation and set up the rest of the machinery, providing a continuous and effective operation.
What are the Advantages of Stationary Crushing Plant?
High Production Capacity: Stationary Crushing plants have a design that enables them to handle many materials effectively. They have robust crushers that crush vast volumes of large rocks and minerals without regular maintenance.
Consistent Output Quality: The stable setup of the stationary crushing plant enables the production of uniform product sizes. The production of uniform and consistent measure of products is essential for various end products and applications.
Low Maintenance Costs: Stationary crushing plants require a lower maintenance cost than mobile crushing plants because they don`t have frequent movements that cause wear and tear.
Electricity Powered: Almost all stationary plants are in touch with the grid; therefore, they use electricity as an energy source. They use electricity as the source of energy leading to cost savings. When electricity comes from renewable sources, it makes it even better since the environmental impact is less.
What are the Disadvantages of Stationary Crushing Plant?
Stationary crushing plants have various disadvantages, which include:
Limited Flexibility: The main setback of the fixed crushing plant is that it lacks mobility; it cannot move once made. It is a huge limitation when it comes to relocating mining sites, especially quarry sites with a limited life span.
High Initial Investment: Capital used when setting up a stationary crushing plant is high, especially in the permanent structures and installing heavy machinery.
Dependency on Quarry Location: Whether a stationary crushing plant is successful depends on the quality and proximity of mineral deposits in a particular quarry location.
What is a Mobile Crushing Plant?
Mobile crushing plants have considerable merit over stationary ones, which offer mobility. Mobility means that the machinery can be transported to other locations when required. It enables mining operators to move the crushing machine near the extraction or mining hotspot. It, therefore, reduces the transport cost and allows the operators to get to a wide range of deposits.
What are the Advantages of Mobile Crushing Plant?
Versatility and Flexibility: The main merit of the mobile crushing plant is the ability to move quickly from one location to another. It is suitable for temporary projects and quarries with a short extraction period.
Low Transportation Costs: It offers a low cost of transportation since there is no need for transporting materials to a stationary crushing plant. Instead, the crushing machinery is taken to the extraction site, directly reducing expenses.
Quick Installation and Dismantling: They are designed for quick installation and dismantling to ensure the operators start their operations as quickly as possible.
Independence from Quarry Location: mobile crushing plants are not associated with one quarrying site; it allows operators to try out different mineral deposits.
What are the Disadvantages of Mobile Crushing Plant?
Lower Production Capacity: They have a lower operating capacity than the stationary crushing plant. It is essential to note that they are unsuitable for projects requiring continuous operation and high output.
High Maintenance Requirements: Due to the many movements by mobile crushing plants can lead to wear and tear, which results in a higher cost of maintenance.
Use of Fuel: They use energy from diesel engines, fuel has a lot of expenses and emits waste. Relying on fossil fuels is less eco-friendly than a stationary crushing plant using electricity.
Conclusion
If you`re a quarry operator, you must take many assessments to make a decision. It is advisable to talk to equipment manufacturers and industry experts for more information on which crushing plant meets your needs. It is essential to note that whether you choose a mobile or stationary crushing plant, making the right choice will have an impact on the productivity and the efficiency of the operation.