Tag Archives: Austria

TOMRA taps into deep learning AI network for latest ore sorting advances with OBTAIN

Automation, Comminution of minerals, Environmental, Mineral processing, Mining services, Mining software, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , ,

TOMRA is looking to leverage artificial intelligence as part of a plan to unlock new opportunities for mining operations using its sensor-based sorting technology.

The company explained: “The ability of computer systems to mimic human thought and decision making to perform tasks that traditionally required human intelligence has played an important role in TOMRA’s sensor-based sorting solutions for decades, automating the process and improving the accuracy and efficiency of the sorters, unlocking value for mining operations.

“Over the years, sensor-based sorting technology has developed, and TOMRA has been using machine learning in its X-ray Transmission (XRT) and Near-Infrared (NIR) sorters for the last 10 years.”

Now TOMRA Mining is opening a new era in sorting with its latest innovation, OBTAIN™, which leverages deep learning to bring single-particle precision to high throughput particle sorting, it says. This solution takes capacity, quality and recovery to a new level, and unlocks value through a wealth of extremely detailed and accurate data for better-informed decision making, it added.

This software uses a neuronal network to identify the properties of each particle accurately and independently of the sorter’s capacity, achieving new-found precision and reliability in detection and ejection. Based on its specific requirements, the mining operation has the flexibility to either enhance the throughput of the sorter while maintaining consistent sorting efficiency or improve sorting precision without compromising the existing throughput.

TOMRA says: “OBTAIN proves advantageous for a fully operational mine by enhancing recovery rates and elevating product quality within the existing throughput. Conversely, in mines with additional capacity, it facilitates increased throughput without compromising product quality. Furthermore, this innovative technology has the capability to unlock untapped value from low-grade ore, waste dumps, or materials previously deemed uneconomical for processing.”

OBTAIN will also add value to a mining operation with a wealth of extremely detailed and accurate data, such as precise online particle size distribution of the feed.

When used in combination with TOMRA Insight, it can provide the customer with detailed reporting on the performance of the sorter and its components to help them optimise the process, as well as enable them to plan for predictive maintenance, the company says.

The OBTAIN software has been developed for TOMRA’s XRT sorters. It will be available on new models, but there will also be an upgrade package available for existing machines, providing a significant opportunity for customers already operating TOMRA XRT sorters, to substantially enhance the sorting performance where it proves to be a suitable solution.

TOMRA has partnered with two customers to test the OBTAIN in real working conditions. The software has been operating for close to 18 months at the Wolfram Bergbau & Hütten tungsten mine in Mittersill, Austria, where it has delivered consistent and reliable performance. The vicinity of the mine to TOMRA’s development team, based in Germany, has made it a suitable testing ground for the first phase, as they have been able to monitor it closely. A second phase of testing to quantify the improvements has been carried out with a trusted long-standing customer in a magnesite application. The successful tests have shown that OBTAIN is ready to transform sensor-based XRT sorting in numerous applications, according to TOMRA.

Doppelmayr ropeway tackles mine backfill task at Buriticá gold operation

Bulk handling, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , ,

A Doppelmayr ropeway is now up and running at the Buriticá underground gold mine in northwest Colombia, navigating mountainous terrain to transport backfill material from the bottom of the valley to the mouth of the mine.

In October 2017, Austria-based Doppelmayr was awarded the contract to build a 1.4 km long ropeway with material buckets for a transport capacity of 175 t/h. The system was conceived as a continuous bi-cable ropeway, with a fixed tensioned track rope for the material buckets with their carriage to travel on. The buckets are driven by the continuously moving haul rope loop to which they are attached via detachable grips.

The area where the mine, owned by Zijin Mining, is located is mountainous and therefore logistically challenging. The reusable residues of the gold extraction process are used as underground backfill, which is why they must be taken from the bottom of the valley to the mouth of the mine at 1,700 m above sea level, thereby covering a difference in altitude of approximately 646 m. What would be an arduous and long journey for trucks, with plenty of exhaust emissions, becomes a swift and efficient job if a material ropeway is used, Doppelmayr says.

To allow for the haul rope to be run at a constant speed, the buckets are detached from the loop in the stations and slowed down before they are loaded via a chute. Once a bucket has been filled, it is accelerated to running speed again and re-attached to the haul rope before leaving the station.

In the unloading station, the bucket is once more taken off the haul rope. At the designated unloading point a special mechanism unlocks the latch on the bucket, the bucket is tipped, and the material is safely transferred onto another chute. The bucket then returns to its original position. It is locked again and re-attached to the haul rope before travelling back into the valley empty.

In the past, continuous bi-cable ropeways have often been used for material transport applications, the company explained.

“For the Buriticá project, Doppelmayr’s engineers have revised the design and mechanics of continuous bi-cable ropeways from scratch and optimised it for the transport of material in buckets,” it said. “The system complements Doppelmayr’s portfolio of material transport solutions.”

Put into service in February 2021, the solution has a transport capacity of 175 t/h of gold residues, a running speed of 6 m/s, and comes with 20 carriers and one tower.