Metso Outotec and Malvern Panalytical have signed a collaboration agreement to, the OEM says, provide sensor-based bulk ore sorting solutions to the mining industry.

The combination of the companies’ expertise in crushing and bulk material handling solutions, and ore analysers enables the parties to offer an industry-leading portfolio of solutions for bulk ore sorting, Metso Outotec said.

“With this offering, mining customers can substantially improve the head grade by pre-concentrating the ore at the crushing stage and, thereby, reduce their energy consumption and related environmental footprint in the comminution stage,” Metso Outotec said.

The agreemeent will see Metso Outotec’s crushing and bulk material handing solutions integrated with Malvern Panalytical’s cross-belt analysers. The latest generation of cross-belt analysers, CNA³, has been designed for tough environments such as underground mines, and features the Sodern neutron solution, which is powered by Pulsed Fast Thermal Neutron Activation (PFTNA) technology. The technology has been used by Anglo American, among others.

Rashmi Kasat, Vice President, Digital technologies at Metso Outotec, said: “Sustainability is a top priority for our entire industry. Collaboration with partners like Malvern Panalytical will allow us to meet the industry’s increasing sustainability and resource efficiency needs in an enhanced way in the early comminution stage. Sensor-based bulk ore sorting and data-driven analysis upgrades low grade or waste stockpiles making them economical and far less energy-intensive to treat.”

Jarmo Lohilahti, Sales Manager at Malvern Panalytical, said: “Malvern Panalytical’s cross-belt analysers provide high-frequency online data for cost-efficient bulk material analysis of major commodities. This collaboration enables customers to benefit from the in-depth know-how from both companies.”

Renato Verdejo, Business Development Lead for Bulk Ore Sorting at Metso Outotec, concluded: “Bulk ore sorting allows waste rock elimination early in the process and, when combined with Metso Outotec’s complementary crushing and bulk material handing solutions portfolio, it provides more sustainable flowsheets for our customers. Enhanced bulk ore sorting will contribute to Metso Outotec’s Planet Positive portfolio.”

On the particle sorting side of the business, Metso Outotec and TOMRA have a non-exclusive cooperation in place to supply particle ore sorting solutions for the mining and metallurgical industries.