How Much It Costs to Set Up a Modular Mining Camp in Argentina
Cost breakdown of a modular mining camp: modules, logistics, installation and operation. A practical guide for projects in Argentina.
Setting up a modular mining camp involves a series of decisions that go far beyond the price per module. The total cost includes the camp configuration, the logistics to the site, the assembly time and the operation throughout the life of the project. Understanding each component is what allows you to budget accurately and avoid surprises once the camp is running.
This article breaks down the components of a complete modular mining camp, the associated costs and how the system is structured so the total budget is competitive.
Components of a modular mining camp
A complete camp includes five types of functional modules:
Dormitories
The highest-volume component in any camp. The standard 13.4 m² folding module allows single or double dormitory configurations with beds, ventilation and a full electrical system. The double configuration is the most common in production camps. For projects requiring more privacy (supervisors, managers), the single configuration is the norm.
Bathrooms and showers
Independent sanitary modules with toilet, sink, shower and hot-water connections. The usual operational ratio is 1 sanitary module per 5 to 8 people on active shifts. In high-rotation camps, the ratio shortens.
Dining hall
Larger-surface modules by configuration, equipped with tables, chairs and a forced ventilation system. For groups of 50 people, 2 or 3 modules are used that can be connected or operate independently depending on the camp layout.
Offices and meeting room
Modules for technical supervision, administration and HSE room. They include interior partitions with MDF panel and a climate-control system. They are the component that varies most depending on the size of the operation and the management structure.
Infirmary
A first-aid module with a stretcher area, stainless-steel sink, medical-supplies cabinet and an electrical circuit set up for equipment. The infirmary is a mandatory component in the HSE protocols of the main mining operators.
How many modules by operation size
| Size | Dormitories | Bathrooms | Dining hall | Offices | Infirmary | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 people | 8–10 | 3–4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 14–17 |
| 50 people | 20–25 | 6–8 | 2–3 | 1–2 | 1 | 30–39 |
| 100 people | 40–50 | 12–15 | 4–6 | 2–3 | 1–2 | 59–76 |
The numbers vary according to the accommodation policy (single vs double), the work shifts and the operator's specific requirements.
The most underestimated cost: freight
The module price is the visible part of the budget. The part most frequently underestimated in the initial planning is the logistics cost to the site.
A 30-module camp in rigid containers requires 30 individual truck trips. On access routes to mountain sites —the Iglesia Department in San Juan, the Neuquén heights, the Puna— the cost per trip can be between USD 400 and USD 700, depending on the distance and road conditions. Freight alone can represent an additional USD 12,000 to USD 21,000 on top of the module cost.
With folding modules, 12 units travel in a 40-foot container. That same 30-module camp requires only 3 trips. The freight saving is estimated between USD 8,000 and USD 15,000 for a camp of that size.
On top of that comes the operational coordination: each trip means coordinating a truck, a driver, the site access permits and the waiting times at the gate. Multiplying that process by 30 generates a significant administrative burden that with folding modules is reduced to 3 operations.
Assembly time: from truck to operation
The start-up time of a modular camp depends on the number of modules, the complexity of the installations and the terrain conditions.
Reference by scale:
- 1 module: 15 minutes of deployment + 2–3 hours of connections = operational the same day
- 10 modules: 1 day of deployment + 1 day of connections and leveling
- 30 modules: 3–4 days of work with a qualified installation crew
Compared to a camp of rigid modules —installed one at a time, with prior civil works in some cases— the difference is days vs. weeks.
Case study: camp for 50 people in San Juan
Project: mining operation in the Iglesia area, at 3,800 m.a.s.l. Access by mountain route, 6 hours from the logistics base.
Configuration:
- 22 double dormitories (44 people, with margin for supervisors in single)
- 7 bathroom/shower modules
- 2 dining-hall modules
- 1 technical office
- 1 infirmary
- 1 storage / meeting room
- Total: 34 folding modules
Modular logistics:
- 34 folding modules = 3 trucks (12 + 12 + 10)
- Vs 34 individual trips with rigid modules
Assembly time:
- 4–5 days from the unloading of the first truck
- Compared to 4–6 weeks with traditional modules
Contract conditions: Typical delivery: 2 to 3 months from order confirmation. Payment 50% on confirmation + 50% before dispatch. 12-month warranty on structure, folding, panels and sealing.
Folding modular camp vs. rigid-module camp
| Item | Folding module | Rigid module / container |
|---|---|---|
| Units per truck | 12 | 1 |
| Assembly time (30 units) | 3–4 days | 3–6 weeks |
| Prior civil works | No | Generally yes |
| Relocatable | Yes, fully | Partially |
| Certifications | CE / ISO 9001 / SGS | Variable |
| Warranty | 12 months (structure, panels, sealing) | Variable |
| Seismic resistance | Certified Grade 10 | By model |
To size the right camp, the starting point is the number of people, the work shifts and the type of site access. The turnkey modular mining camps catalog shows the available configurations with component detail and delivery times. The individual folding modules detail the full technical specifications. The bathroom and shower modules and the modular dormitories are configured to order according to the camp composition.
Frequently asked questions about modular mining camps
How many modules do I need for a 50-person camp? Approximately 25 to 32 folding modules: double or triple dormitories, bathrooms, dining hall, offices and an infirmary. The exact number depends on the accommodation policy and the operation's shifts.
How long does camp assembly take? A 50-person camp is assembled in 3 to 4 days with the installation crew. An individual module deploys in 15 minutes.
How much time is there between the confirmed order and delivery? Typical delivery is 2 to 3 months from confirmation. The exact timeline is confirmed in writing within 24 hours.
Does the price include transport to the site? Freight is quoted separately by distance and access. With folding modules, 12 units travel on a standard truck, significantly reducing the cost per module compared to rigid modules.
To quote a complete camp for your operation, contact us directly or message us on WhatsApp. We reply with price, timeline and availability within 24 business hours.
