Tag Archives: Corné de Jager

TOMRA’s XRT recovery tech come up trumps for Lucara Diamond Corp at Karowe

Diamond mining, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Sustainable mining, , , ,

One of the largest rough diamonds in recorded history, a 2,492-ct stone, was recovered recently by Lucara Diamond Corp. with TOMRA X-Ray Transmission (XRT) technology aiding the recovery at the Karowe mine in Botswana.

This extraordinary diamond is the latest of many impressive record-breaking recoveries achieved at the mine’s Mega Diamond Recovery Plant since the installation of the two TOMRA COM XRT 1200 / D 2.0 sorters in 2017, when Lucara initiated a transformation in the diamond mining industry’s recovery process. By integrating XRT early into the flowsheet, post primary crushing, it is possible to recover liberated and free exceptionally large diamonds earlier in the process, thereby extracting revenue from the flowsheet faster and safeguarding diamond value from potential downstream damage or breakage.

The 2,492-ct stone is historically the second-largest diamond ever discovered, following the 3,106.75-ct Cullinan diamond found in 1905. However, it is the largest diamond ever recovered directly from run-of-mine ore. It was followed, just a few weeks later, by a 1,094-ct diamond – the sixth rough diamond weighing more than 1,000 ct to be recovered at the mine, and one of the top 10 largest diamonds in history.

“We at TOMRA Mining are immensely proud to be part of Lucara’s incredible journey,” Albert du Preez, Head of TOMRA Mining, says. “Our XRT technology has played a pivotal role in their historic recoveries, including the 1,758-ct Sewelô and the 1,109-ct Lesedi La Rona diamonds. These milestones are a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in the mining industry. This achievement underscores the exceptional capabilities of our XRT technology and the dedication of our team. We are committed to supporting Lucara, and ensuring they continue to achieve remarkable success.”

Corné de Jager, Diamond Segment Manager TOMRA Mining, said: “15 of the top 23 largest diamonds, bigger than 400 ct, recovered since TOMRA XRT bulk concentration installations commenced fully in the diamond industry in 2014, were recovered with our technology – 13 of them at Lucara’s Karowe mine, which holds record-breaking finds in various categories. In fact, our TOMRA XRT technology has contributed to the recovery of seven of the top 10 largest diamonds in history at the Karowe mine.”

The exceptional find at Lucara’s Karowe mine was swiftly followed by the announcement of another remarkable recovery with TOMRA’s XRT technology in Sierra Leone. The 391.45-ct diamond was unearthed at the Meya mine in Kono District. In 2017, the famous and historic Type IIa 476.7-carat Meya Prosperity was also recovered with TOMRA’s XRT.

TOMRA’s innovative high-capacity XRT technology offers precise detection and ejection of exceptionally large and even the smaller particle sizes, and proprietary image processing deliver 100% detection in the specified size range irrespective of luminescence or surface coating, with a guaranteed diamond recovery rate above 98% and remarkably low yields, according to the company. In addition, the unique TOMRA COM XRT 300 / FR final recovery sorter featuring TOMRA’s proprietary ultra-high resolution sensor technology and precise ejection has revolutionised final recovery processing to efficiently deliver an ultra-high diamond-by-weight concentrate, thereby contributing to improved & focused downstream security and reduced hand sorting.

Today, TOMRA says it is the only manufacturer to offer a full recovery service from 2mm to 100mm with a flowsheet covering the entire process – from high-capacity concentration (+4-100 mm) to Final Recovery and Sort House applications (+2-32 mm), which includes a detailed analysis of customers’ requirements and the collaborative development of an XRT technology-based flowsheet. With its holistic approach and XRT technology, TOMRA is helping diamond operations in Africa, Canada, Brazil and other countries around the world to maximise recovery while optimising costs – with the additional benefit of a smaller environmental footprint.

TOMRA Mining to present complete diamond recovery solution at Mining Indaba 2023

Diamond mining, Mineral processing, Mining events, Mining services, , , , , , ,

TOMRA Mining is to use the backdrop of the upcoming Mining Indaba 2023 event in Cape Town, South Africa, to highlight its complete sensor-based ore sorting diamond recovery solution.

Kai Bartram, Global Sales Director, Corné de Jager, Global Segment Manager Diamonds, and Helga van Lochem, Area Sales Manager, will be available from February 6-9 at the event to discuss the benefits of TOMRA’s portfolio of sorting solutions for the diamonds, metals and industrial minerals industry, as well as the advantages of its advanced digital products and services, like the TOMRA INSIGHT cloud-based platform, the company said.

Today, TOMRA Mining has more than 200 machines in operation across the world.

Bartram said: “Our sorting technologies effectively address key issues that mining companies face, such as decreasing average ore grades and rising energy costs. Not only do we offer a complete solution, unique in the market, for diamond recovery, but we have proven that our sensor-based ore sorting technologies are extremely effective in a wide variety of applications such as chrome, manganese, gold, lead and zinc. There is a big untapped potential for our technologies in mining and so far we have only scratched the surface. Our excellent results show that we are on the right track and we have ambitious objectives of growth for TOMRA Mining.”

Its latest innovation in diamond recovery, the COM XRT 300 /FR sorter, is a new-generation machine that represents an industry first in diamond sorting, according to the company.

Kai Bartram (Tomra Mining photo by Pepe Lange 2022)

It uses the company’s proprietary ultra-high-resolution sensor, advanced new image processing and high-precision ejector valve system to produce an ultra-high diamond-by-weight concentrate with an exceptionally low yield. The sorter offers 100% diamond detection within the specified size fraction and >99% guaranteed diamond recovery with appropriate feed material preparation, according to the company. It is also a dry process that doesn’t require water or chemical reagents.

“Our Final Recovery sorter has the potential to revolutionise diamond flowsheets,” de Jager said. “This user-friendly, compact and easy-to-operate sorter offers higher efficiency and better grade, with fewer sorting stages and a smaller footprint. It reduces complexity and operational costs.”

The TOMRA COM XRT 300 /FR completes TOMRA’s complete partnered diamond recovery solution, which covers the entire process, from Bulk Concentration to Final Recovery and Sort House applications.

“We are now able to offer our customers a full XRT solution to sort +2-100 mm particles: our bulk concentration sorters for +4-100 mm particles and the COM XRT 300 /FR in its Final Recovery, Sort House or small-capacity exploration applications for +2-32 mm particles,” de Jager added.

TOMRA Mining to demonstrate Final Recovery diamond sorter at Electra Mining 2022

Diamond mining, Mineral processing, Mining events, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

TOMRA Mining will showcase its sensor-based sorting solutions at the Electra Mining 2022 exhibition, in Johannesburg, South Africa, in September, showcasing, for the first time, live demonstrations of its COM XRT 300 /FR Final Recovery sorter for diamond operations.

Representatives from its Sales and Field Service teams will also present TOMRA’s offering of advanced digital products and services, such as the TOMRA Insight cloud-based platform and its latest generation TOMRA ACT PC-based system, as well as its portfolio of sorting solutions for the diamonds, metals and industrial minerals industry at the show, which runs from September 5-9.

Corné de Jager, Diamond Segment Manager TOMRA Mining, said: “The Electra Mining Show is the perfect platform for us to showcase TOMRA’s advanced mining solutions. This important exhibition attracts a wide audience – from operators and metallurgists – interested in smart solutions that are simple to operate and maintain, to decision makers who need to be up to date with the latest value-adding technologies. At the event we will have the opportunity to meet them face-to-face and discuss their requirements, giving them a taste or TOMRA’s collaborative approach, product expertise and after-sales support.”

TOMRA will demonstrate the Final Recovery sorter with fine kimberlitic or alluvial ore together with diamond powdered tracers in a Final Recovery and Sort House application. Visitors will be able to experience first-hand the sorter’s capability to produce an ultra-high diamond-by-weight concentrate with an exceptionally low yield by using TOMRA’s proprietary ultra-high-resolution sensor, advanced new image processing and high-precision ejector valve system, the company says. The sorter offers 100% diamond detection within the specified size fraction and > 99% guaranteed diamond recovery with appropriate feed material preparation.

“We are very excited to demonstrate the TOMRA COM XRT 300 /FR sorter,” de Jager says. “It completes our unique partnered diamond recovery ecosystem, which covers the entire process. We are now able to offer our customers a full XRT solution to sort +2-100 mm particles: +4-100 mm particles with our bulk concentration sorters, and +2-32 mm particles with the COM XRT 300 /FR in its Final Recovery, Sort House or small-capacity exploration applications. The sorter offers higher efficiency, better grade, simplified security requirements with fewer sorting stages and a smaller footprint. It reduces complexity and operational costs, and unlocks the potential for previously deemed non-profitable projects and marginal deposits to be economically viable. ”

The COM XRT 300 /FR sorter can also add value to existing kimberlitic and alluvial operations that use conventional bulk-concentration methods like rotary pans, dense medium separation or X-ray luminescence, if installed in a Final Recovery and/or Sort House function after these existing processes. With a contained capital expense, operations can benefit from a quick, simple and significant revenue gain, TOMRA says.

The TOMRA team at the exhibition will explain the full benefits of its complete partnered diamond recovery ecosystem consisting of XRT technology covering the entire process – from Bulk Concentration to Final Recovery and Sort House applications – as well as its advanced digital products and services. These include the newly refreshed TOMRA ACT PC-based system interface and TOMRA Insight cloud-based subscription solution.

TOMRA Mining has 190 sorter installations operating around the world, of which more than 60 are in Africa. It offers installation opportunities in Africa in the metals industry, for example in applications such as lithium, chromite, platinum, manganese and gold.