Major capital expenditure is often investors’ main concern when deciding whether to start a mining operation.
Numerous financial considerations arise, including infrastructure needs such as road construction, fixed plant requirements, the number of haul trucks, or the installation of rail links to port. These upfront costs can be significant and are often a deciding factor in whether a project proceeds.
In situations where capital expenditure must be carefully managed — due to short mine lifespans, remote locations, or dispersed ore bodies — mobile mining equipment can offer a more suitable and flexible alternative to traditional fixed plants.
That’s where MMD’s mobile and semi-mobile Sizer stations come into their own.
Big Capability in a Small Package
Among the most innovative of these offerings is MMD’s trailer-mounted sizing station. Designed for quick deployment and mobility, this unit can be delivered to site by truck and made operational with minimal setup. It processes material at rates between 300 to 2,000 tonnes per hour — ideal for lower-tonnage operations or sites that require scalable, flexible solutions.
Despite its compact footprint, the trailer-mounted unit performs like a fixed plant. It can be equipped with a primary, secondary, or tertiary Sizer and tailored with a range of tooth designs to suit various ore types.
Hydraulic legs and a folding conveyor make transportation and relocation straightforward, while wireless or onboard control options ensure ease of use.
Another effective option is the FMS 500 — a more robust rig that is either track- or skid-mounted and constructed modularly to meet a client’s specific needs.
With a low-cost setup and the ability to operate in remote or hard-to-reach locations, the FMS 500 delivers increased durability while still minimizing environmental impact. The track-mounted variant, for example, can be deployed anywhere a shovel can operate.
Both solutions underscore MMD’s commitment to flexible, sustainable mining. These smaller Sizer stations require virtually no groundworks and use advanced motor technologies to reduce energy consumption — ideal for mining operations seeking a lower environmental footprint and reduced operating costs.
Scaling Up: High-Capacity Mobile and Semi-Mobile Stations
While the smaller rigs offer flexibility and fast ROI for specific use cases, MMD also provides larger fully mobile and semi-mobile sizing stations designed for high-throughput operations — up to 10,000 tonnes per hour.
These units are often the preferred choice when projects still seek mobility but need the performance to match long-term, large-scale output.
For mining enterprises that anticipate decades of production and want to reduce reliance on expensive haulage fleets, these high-capacity systems can be deployed at the face of the mine, moving as the operation develops.
The result is reduced truck usage, lower fuel costs, and fewer emissions — key advantages in today’s ESG-conscious landscape.
Although they involve a more significant setup than the smaller rigs, these larger mobile and semi-mobile stations still offer faster commissioning and lower capital outlay compared to traditional fixed plant infrastructure and long haulage.
They strike a balance between operational scale and cost-effectiveness, particularly for mines where flexibility is critical to long-term planning.
For decades, fixed plant was the default for large mining operations. When a mine's lifespan extended over decades, it made sense to invest heavily upfront. But for many of today’s operations — especially those in remote areas, with uncertain lifespans, or with multiple ore bodies — this model no longer fits.
MMD’s mobile and semi-mobile Sizer stations deliver a compelling alternative. Material can be processed closer to where it’s extracted, and the equipment can be relocated as needed.
Whether it's a compact trailer-mounted rig or a 10,000 TPH high-capacity system, these solutions reduce setup times, lower capital risk, and boost operational efficiency.
Backed by decades of expertise, MMD’s mobile strategy is built to meet the evolving demands of modern mining. From smaller start-ups to established operations expanding into new zones, the company’s sizing stations offer a smarter, leaner way to move forward.
Because in today’s mining world, success isn’t just about digging deeper — it’s about mining smarter.
