ORE SORTING test work using its XRT sensor-based sorters from its centre in Germany , enables miners to take informed purchasing decisions for their processing plants , regardless of where they are located .
Just one of the companies to take advantage of this virtual test option in 2020 was Tungsten West , the owner of the Hemerdon tungsten-tin asset in Devon , England .
These recent remote offering additions to TOMRA ’ s portfolio are complementing the XRTpowered sorting systems themselves , which , according to Cline , are built to adapt to the changing ore and feed throughout the life of mine without manual intervention .
He explained : “ The ‘ bones ’ or the structure of the machine is relatively constant for different applications , but the ‘ brains ’ is mostly done through the algorithms and programming . This is what allows one machine to have the ability to process different ores and achieve different sorting objectives .
“ There are of course limitations to this but , generally speaking , we are able to adjust and optimise for changing tasks .”
Asked about what the CMP panel considered ‘ hot ’ metals / minerals for ore sorting potential , Cline said : “ This is a somewhat tricky question to answer because , in reality , if there is a justifiable problem or issue that needs to be solved and sorting can aid , we believe there is potential in every commodity .
“ Conversely , we understand and voice that sorting is not suitable for every application and every mine .”
Overall , the CMP panel consensus was that ore sorting evaluations should be carried out as early as possible , according to Cline .
“ One of the panellists , Marie-Claude Halle , who was a key stakeholder in the Renard diamond project in Quebec when sorting was implemented , made the comment that when considering sorting feasibility there ‘ should be an option to opt out rather than opt in ’.
“ Marie-Claude ’ s comments reflected what we should be doing differently as an industry to evaluate sorting and the potential benefits up front , rather than trying to add them as an afterthought into an already developed flowsheet .”
Cline was equally candid when asked about the potential for particle sorting and bulk sorting solutions working together on mine sites .
“ We always try to understand the unique mineralogy for each project and listen carefully to what the customer wants to achieve technically and from a business case ,” he said . “ Based on what we can assess , we will try to point the customer towards particle sorting , bulk sorting , both , or neither depending on what seems like the best solution for them .”
Cline said TOMRA has developed contacts with bulk sorting experts and vendors over the years and the community shares customers back and forth as the situation warrants .
“ I think that the sorting community understands that pushing the wrong sorting solution does not help anyone in the long run ,” he said . “ As is true for any technologies , if the benefits of including both bulk and particle sorting outweigh the costs , then that should be considered , and we have already seen some projects evaluating those benefits .”
The best of both
Rados International Services is looking to bridge the particle sorting / bulk sorting divide by providing both types of solutions to the mining sector .
The company has more than 200 sorters powered by X-ray Fluorescence ( XRF ) sensors operating at over 51 sites , covering a wide range of commodities .
Its historical focus has been on operations in Russia and the CIS States , but , in the last decade , Rados has extended its footprint into Africa , North and South America , and Europe .
Some of the achievements it has made over this period in Africa include successfully completing particle sorting proof of concept projects for upgrading platinum group metal ( PGM ) run of mine ores for Anglo American Platinum and Sedibelo Platinum Mines .
The company also gained recognition in South America following the completion of a particle sorting proof of concept project in Brazil for Ero Copper . This project , which commenced in the March quarter of 2020 and tested some 29,000 t of material through early September , saw up to 4.5 times upgrade ratios achieved across all grade profiles for samples tested within the Vermelhos Mine and for high-grade samples from the Pilar Mine at minimal copper loss after sorting .
Also , in the Americas , Rados was behind a particle sorting project for Hecla Mining at the San Sebastian mine in Mexico , for the upgrade of silver run of mine ore . Commissioned in the summer of 2018 , the ore sorter was capable of 20 t / h while running two shifts a day , Hecla previously said .
Rados has also provided input to the sorting
Rados International was behind a particle sorting project for Hecla Mining at the San Sebastian mine in Mexico , for the upgrade of silver run of mine ore
solution component of the EU Impact Project for New Concepts for Small Mining Operations .
On the bulk sorting front , the company says it is participating in several sensor-based sorting proof of concept projects for Anglo American .
And , according to Frank Dudley , Chief Executive Officer of Rados , negotiations are underway for the provision of particle and bulk sorting solutions to clients in South America , South Africa and Ireland , covering upgrades of copper mill pebble circuits , gold discard stockpiles and lead-zinc run of mine ores .
Against this backdrop , Dudley claims the Rados sorting offering is unique .
“ We provide particle and bulk sorting solutions , as well as an integrated sorting solution , which is a combination of both particle and bulk sorting , premised on a roughing / scavenging approach ,” he told IM . “ We are , therefore , able to process run of mine ore volumes of up to 3,000 t / h , delivering strong sorting value propositions .”
Rados ’ bulk sorting solution is based on an ability to analyse and actuate in less than 10- second intervals , notwithstanding large variations in run of mine ore particle size distribution . This maximises the bulk sorting value proposition , according to Dudley .
He added : “ Both the particle and bulk sorters can process a wide range of ore types and sizes , requiring only an algorithm change , which can be done remotely and instantaneously . The new bulk sorter sensor uses machine-learning functionality , and the calibration process is highly automated , which can be conducted without stopping the conveyor belt .”
Dudley says the company underpins its sorting offering with appropriate performance warranties to mitigate client risk in the delivery .
“ Provision of performance warranties is
MARCH 2021 | International Mining 51