The following operating costs may be incurred by a biochar production business:

• Management, administration, monitoring, and reporting.

• Operations staff.

• Maintenance, service agreements, and sustaining capital.

• Debt servicing.

• Insurance.

• Transport of feedstocks and products.

• Consumables.

• Energy requirements (start-up, shut-down, and sustaining).

The magnitude of the project operating costs varies greatly depending on the loca­tion of the project and the regulatory regime it is subjected to. For example, in a developed country the cost of human resources is likely to be one of, if not, the most significant contributors to operating costs. However, in a developing country these resources come at a significantly lower cost. Likewise, in developing countries the level of administration, monitoring, and reporting required to meet government requirements could also be less and therefore represent a decreased operating cost.