HIGH PROFILE
Q In terms of technology is growth being seen across particular sorting technology types?
The XRT / TDS ® technology platform has evolved into several technical variants, including X-ray transmission( XRT) sensing, optical( colour-based) sensing, and X-ray fluorescence( XRF) detection. XRT and optical sensing technologies are primarily used for ore sorting. They can operate independently or be integrated within a combined system to enhance sorting performance. In contrast, XRF technology is mainly applied to ore grade analysis and slurry grade monitoring during the flotation process, providing real-time feedback to guide adjustments to mineral processing parameters.
MeiTeng TDS ® XRT dry coal sorters operating in China
Q There are a number of suppliers of ore sorting equipment in China, including HPY, Huate, HOT Mining, AMD and others. What would you say are MeiTeng advantages and differentiators in terms of technology and efficiency of your solutions?
MeiTeng is a leading developer of XRT / TDS ® intelligent dry sorting technology in China. Since its establishment, the company has continuously invested in research and development, enabling multiple generations of technological upgrades. These innovations have expanded the capabilities of XRT / TDS ® systems to include the sorting of large particles up to 300 mm, vehicle-mounted mobile XRT applications, integrated X-ray and optical sensing, threeproduct separation, and underground sorting installations. The technology has also been applied to recover valuable materials from waste rock and to support high-capacity processing through advanced multi-stage material distribution systems. In China’ s dry coal separation market, MeiTeng’ s XRT / TDS ® systems rank first in market share.
Q What about export successes outside the domestic market in China?
In terms of global market expansion, MeiTeng has established XRT / TDS ® testing laboratories in Russia and Australia. The company has also signed cooperation agreements with well-known mineral processing engineering firms in the United States and Australia. Today, MeiTeng maintains service networks across Russia, Mongolia, Central Asia, Indonesia, Australia, India, Turkey, and several regions in Africa, supporting the international deployment of its intelligent sorting technologies. Key project references include two coal preparation projects and one fluorite sorting project in Mongolia, one coal preparation project in Russia, one lead-zinc ore sorting project in Tajikistan, and one coal preparation project in Indonesia. Three further mineral processing projects are under development in Kazakhstan plus one in Turkey.
Q How do your ore sorters integrate with your wider smart plant technology to bring an overall solution to customers?
MeiTeng has also extended the core technologies developed for its XRT / TDS ® systems into the broader field of intelligent mine development. For example, X-ray technology is applied in ore grade detection, slurry grade monitoring, and conveyor belt tear detection. Image recognition technologies are used in a range of safety and operational monitoring applications, including electronic safety fencing for personnel protection, scraper conveyor chain break detection, flotation froth monitoring, and screen panel loss detection. In China, MeiTeng has led the development of intelligent systems for several large-scale coal preparation plants. These include the Xiegou Coal Preparation Plant in Shanxi Province( 30 Mt / y), China, the Jinjitan Coal Preparation Plant in Shaanxi Province( 15 Mt / y), China, and the Dongtan Coal Preparation Plant in Shandong Province( 8 Mt / y), China. Both X-ray sensing and optical recognition technologies have been implemented in these projects to support intelligent plant operations.
Q Can you provide a good example from both the metals and industrial minerals sectors of how your XRT sorters were used at a particular mine site and what positive results the customers achieved?
The Huanshan Iron Mine, operated by Huoqiu Dachang Huanshan Mining Co Ltd, is located in the Economic Development Zone of Huoqiu County, Anhui Province, China. The processing plant adopts a three-stage crushing circuit with one closed circuit. The plant was originally designed with an annual ore processing capacity of 300,000 t, while the actual throughput has reached 500,000 t / y. The run-of-mine ore has a total iron( TFe) grade of 26-28 %. The main valuable mineral is specularite, followed by magnetite and haematite, In February 2022, the Huanshan Iron Mine introduced a MeiTeng
XRT intelligent sensor-based sorting system with a belt width of 2 m. Crushed ore in the 20-60 mm size fraction from the screening stage is fed into the XRT sorter for preconcentration. After sorting, the concentrate stream is returned to the fine crushing stage for further size reduction, while the tailings stream, with a TFe grade of 5-9 %, is directly rejected as waste rock. The sorting process removes approximately 15-30 % of the material as waste rock, depending on the grade of the feed ore. By rejecting low-grade material at an early stage, the system significantly reduces the downstream grinding, beneficiation, and dewatering load. The Dongjiahe Phosphate Mine, operated by Yichang Baoshishan Mining Co Ltd, was established in 2002 and has proven mineable reserves of approximately 25.87 Mt. The mine has a designed production capacity of 800,000 t / y. Around 77 % of the resource consists of medium- to lowgrade phosphate ore, making it one of the deposits with relatively challenging resource conditions in the northern Yichang phosphate mining district. In December 2020, the company’ s‘ Phosphate Ore Sensor-based Sorting Project’ was officially commissioned. The process was designed by Hebei Global Engineering & Design Institute and incorporates MeiTeng’ s XRT. Following commissioning, the system quickly achieved the targeted performance indicators. With a feed ore grade of 14-16 %, the sorting process produces a concentrate grade of over 25 %, while the tailings grade is reduced to below 7 %. The concentrate product can be sold directly without further processing.
Q Your portfolio also includes intelligent flotation- can you expand on what that means in terms of real time analysis and how it increases flotation efficiency and optimisation?
MeiTeng’ s intelligent flotation technology leverages advanced analytical instruments, including slurry grade analysers and froth image analysers, to enable online monitoring of slurry grade and real-time quantification of froth characteristics. Key process parameters, such as flotation cell level, slurry flow rate, slurry density, and air flow rate, are measured using level sensors, flow meters, and density meters. These measurements are integrated with automated control systems, including intelligent reagent dosing stations, electrically actuated valves, and pneumatic valves. Combined with advanced control logic and algorithms, the system intelligently adjusts reagent dosing, air flow, and flotation cell levels. This approach minimises manual intervention, reduces operating costs, stabilises concentrate grade, and improves metal recovery rate.
12 International Mining | APRIL 2026