Overview
The Preston Mine processing facilities transform ROM sandstone into high-quality frac sand through specialized wet and dry processing circuits. The operation produces multiple sand grades suitable for hydraulic fracturing applications, with seasonal wet processing complemented by year-round dry processing.
Key Process Stages
- Crushing Plant: Metso impact crusher reduces ROM sandstone to manageable sizes while preserving grain integrity, fed from a 227,000 metric tonne stockpile. Telsmith vibrating screener performs initial size classification.
- Wet-Processing Plant (408 tph capacity): Three 8×8 hydrosizers and four cyclones separate material by size, shape, and density. System includes Matac/Jing Jang plate presses for dewatering and produces 20/70 WIP material.
- Dry-Processing Plant (163 tph capacity): Processes WIP from 454,000 metric tonne stockpile through Carrier fluid bed dryer and three Rotex mineral separators to produce final 20/40, 30/50, 40/70, and 70/140 mesh products.
Critical Data
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Wet Plant Capacity | 408 metric tonnes/hour |
| Dry Plant Capacity | 163 metric tonnes/hour |
| Annual Production (2024) | 790,000 metric tonnes |
| Historical Production | 7.88 million metric tonnes (2014-2024) |
| Wet Plant Season | March-November (24/7 operation) |
| Workforce | 16 (wet plant), 24 (dry plant) |
Quality Assurance
Laboratory sampling at multiple process stages ensures product specifications are met for frac sand applications. The circuit has demonstrated consistent production of API-compliant silica sand products since 2014.
Based on filing data from 2024-2025.
