Florida Engineering and Design was contracted to complete a feasibility study related to the acquisition of a tract of land for future phosphate mining. The study required an economic evaluation, discounted cash flow analysis, capital investment analysis, estimate of capital and operating costs and evaluation of alternate sites, transportation methods and processing techniques. This evaluation included preparing detailed capital and operating cost estimates based on a projected variable annual production rates. An evaluation of different methods of waste disposal and minimization of transportation/haulage systems were reviewed to develop alternate solutions and detailed capital and operating costs for comparison. Infrastructure was laid out and equipment was specified for comparison purposes.

Presentation of this evaluation included material balance and flow sheets for each scenario, along with detailed capital and operating estimates for each case. Projection of future replacement equipment list and maintenance expenditure, infrastructure costs, drawings, return on investment calculations and recommendations were also a part of the study effort.