Casposo Project

Engineering Design and Commissioning

METS was involved in the development of the project, from the drill core samples to establishing the design parameters and flowsheets, through to the detailed design, commissioning and optimisation of the plant.

METS catalogued and defined capacities of all used equipment. A plant flowsheet was designed and fitted to the used equipment where cost effectiveness was not impaired.
Such equipment included the plant in New South Wales. METS successfully managed its relocation to Argentina by preparing a tender of the relocation, refurbishment and re-construction work contract. Several companies were identified and asked to demonstrate their capability to undertake the required works. Subsequently, we issued a tender document to the shortlist of pre-qualified service providers. METS was available to answer any questions relating to the plant, scope of works, and project objectives. After all bids were submitted, an in-depth analysis of each tender submission was undertaken, and a series of recommendations were reported back to Troy Resources.

The successful bidder worked under METS’ supervision on the ground in Australia to deconstruct, label and load all the parts of the plant onto trucks to be hauled by road to the port of Sydney. The engineering design was completed with extensive client communication, despite their location in Argentina.


Project Brief

Outcome

  • Reduced CAPEX
  • Decreased project timeframe
  • Detailed design packages

Background

Troy Resources NL (Troy) is an Australian based gold producer, with previous operations in Andorinhas (Brazil) and Casposo (Argentina). Troy is currently operating a new gold project in Guyana, further expanding their portfolio of low cost operations.

Project Objectives

To reduce the CAPEX for the new operation by sourcing suitable second-hand equipment and plant. The project is a 400,000 tonne per annum Merrill Crowe goldsilver processing plant based on a 0.4Moz gold and 17Moz silver resource. METS was engaged to assist in the project development to map out a processing pathway, drawing upon used components where possible and progress the project into operation.

Challenges

The plant selected for the front end of the project was located in New South Wales (Australia). Other components were sourced from Canada and the USA. This changed the project from being non-profitable when owned by another company, to being viable with Troy Resources NL. METS was required to produce a viable processing route with the used equipment supplied by Troy Resources NL. Where absolutely necessary, other equipment was purchased. The objective was to maintain a low capital cost but a cost effective plant.

Our Approach

METS catalogued and defined capacities of all used equipment. A plant flowsheet was designed and fitted to the used equipment where cost effectiveness was not impaired. Other equipment was sourced where necessary.
Such equipment included the plant in New South Wales. METS successfully managed its relocation to Argentina by preparing a tender of the relocation, refurbishment and re-construction work contract. Several companies were identified and asked to demonstrate their capability to undertake the required works. METS then issued a tender document to the shortlist of pre-qualified service providers. METS was available to answer any questions relating to the plant, scope of works, and project objectives. After all bids were submitted, an in-depth analysis of each tender submission was undertaken, and a series of recommendations were reported back to Troy Resources NL.
The successful bidder worked under METS’ supervision on the ground in Australia to deconstruct, label and load all the parts of the plant onto trucks to be hauled by road to the port of Sydney. The engineering design was completed with extensive client communication, despite their location in Argentina.