Tag Archives: XRT

TOMRA XRT makes a difference at Kazakhstan coal operation

Coal technology, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mining services, , , , , ,

TOMRA’s X-Ray Transmission (XRT) sensor-based technology has been delivering higher yields and quality output while reducing operating costs at Gamma LLP’s coal mining operation in Kazakhstan, according to the technology company.

Gamma LLP, part of the Zaman Group, has been operating a TOMRA COM Tertiary XRT 1200 belt sorting system since 2014 at its coal mine in the Bayanaul district in Pavlodar, the main coal mining region in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Abgujinov Bekbolat Sovetovich, Director of Gamma LLP, said: “The TOMRA XRT sorter has improved the efficiency of our operation and we are consistently achieving higher yield with a better quality of output.

“In addition, we are benefiting from lower energy and water consumption, and an overall reduction in operating costs. This equipment has made a real difference and we are planning to invest in a second unit.”

The TOMRA COM Tertiary XRT 1200 belt sorting system is based on a planar projection of X-ray attenuation of single particles in a stream to identify and separate materials according to their specific atomic density, according to TOMRA. It effectively and accurately sorts materials irrespective of size, moisture, dust or dirt on the surface, so that pre-washing or surface cleaning is not necessary.

The XRT sensor-based separation makes it possible to extract from the stream both high ash material and coal with any amount of ash content. The system analyses each particle and extracts the coal of the required quality to the concentrate.

The system was commissioned and installed by TOMRA’s partner in Russia and CIS, THRANE, which shares the company’s approach to working with its customers: “The support we have received from THRANE has also been excellent; they are always available and ready to help whenever we need it,” Sovetovich commented.

Studies conducted by THRANE at its test centre bear out Gamma LLP’s experience. The company analysed the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of de-stoning and the results, which were presented at the XVIII International Coal Preparation Congress in 2016, were impressive, TOMRA said.

When separating size fractions of -100+25 mm of K-rank coal with 17.5-16.5% initial ash content, the TOMRA XRT separator produced a concentrate of less than 10.7-11% with the output of 65 and 70%, respectively, according to TOMRA.

With size fractions of 100+10mm T-rank coal with 39-42% initial ash content, it produced a concentrate of less than 26-32.5% ash with the output of 60% and 70%, respectively.

With size classes of -70+25mm of T-rank coal with 39-42% initial ash content, the concentrate produced was 8.2% at its output of 60%. Size classes of -80+13 mm of A-rank coal with 11.1% initial ash content produced a concentrate of less than 4.3% at its output of 80%.

Northern Minerals backs XRT ore sorting pilot plant plan with Steinert order

Comminution of minerals, Energy minerals, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining software, , , , , , , , ,

Northern Minerals has capped off its ore sorting project enhancement initiatives at the Browns Range rare earths project, in northern Western Australia, with the selection of a Steinert ore sorter for use at its pilot plant.

The selected machine is in stock in Perth and a deposit has been paid in order to secure it and avoid any lead time lags or delays, the company said.

Nexus Bonum, which previously completed the feasibility study for the x-ray transmission ore sorter system at the pilot plant, has been engaged to undertake the front-end engineering and design work required for the inclusion of the sorter into the pilot plant beneficiation circuit.

The company said: “As previously announced, the findings from initial test work and studies indicate that the inclusion of ore sorting at Browns Range has the potential to double the mill feed grade potentially leading to an increased production rate of heavy rare earth carbonate and a potential lowering of operating costs.”

The company is currently working with stakeholders and regulators on obtaining the approvals required for the installation of the ore sorter at Browns Range and is aiming to have the system installed and commissioned by mid-2020, subject to receiving these approvals in a timely manner.

Northern Minerals’ Managing Director and CEO, George Bauk, said: “Following the recent capital raising, we have moved quickly to progress this critical piece of equipment that has the potential to be a game changer for the project.

“Higher grades going into the plant would result in higher production rates and lower operating costs, a double win in terms of proving the economics of the Browns Range project.”

Northern Minerals commenced production of heavy rare earth carbonate at the Browns Range pilot plant back in October. This followed plant commissioning in June.

The project is designed to assist the company in evaluating the economic and technical feasibility of mining at Browns Range and will provide the opportunity to gain production experience and surety of supply for its offtake partner. This could see the company become the first significant producer of dysprosium outside of China.

North Arrow brings in Imilingo, TOMRA, Microlithics for modular diamond recovery

Diamond mining, Mineral exploration, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

North Arrow Minerals says it has engaged Imilingo Mineral Processing of Pretoria, South Africa, TOMRA, and Microlithics Laboratories of Thunder Bay, Ontario, to investigate modular diamond recovery design options incorporating TOMRA’s X-Ray Transmission (XRT) sorting technology at its 100% owned Naujaat diamond project in Nunavut, Canada.

The engagement is with a view to recovering diamonds greater than 3 mm (nominally >0.5 ct) in size from a diamond recovery plant, it said.

North Arrow is currently planning for collection of a 10,000 t bulk sample from the Q1-4 deposit at Naujaat and, as part of this work, has initiated an engineering design and costing study of a small-scale mobile diamond recovery plant. The purpose of the sample will be to evaluate diamond size distribution and value characteristics, with emphasis on a distinct population of high-value, fancy, yellow to orangey-yellow diamonds that have been identified in the deposit, the company said.

Ken Armstrong, President and CEO of North Arrow, said: “We are pleased to be working with Imilingo, TOMRA and Microlithics to study diamond recovery plant design options for use in our continued evaluation of the Q1-4 diamond deposit.

“Over the last number of years, TOMRA’s XRT sorting technology has changed the diamond mining landscape by providing an XRT sorting solution that improves diamond recoveries while reducing breakage and water use compared to more traditional diamond recovery circuits. We believe XRT sorting technology can also be used for the evaluation of diamond deposits and is an ideal recovery solution for the Q1-4 diamond population.

“Locating a small-scale diamond recovery plant at or near the project site will also reduce costs, improve logistics and increase local employment and business opportunities for the residents of Naujaat,” he said.

Imilingo’s iPlant packages combine XRT solutions from the likes of TOMRA to sort and deliver feed material in a clean and well classified state, Managing Director, Jaco Prinsloo, told IM recently. Microlithics Laboratories, meanwhile, provides a number of diamond-specific services to clients in North America.

The focus on recovery of diamonds greater than 3 mm is an important component of the study, the company said, with a significant amount of the cost associated with processing past Q1-4 kimberlite samples related to ensuring and documenting the recovery of smaller diamonds (down to 1 mm in size).

Armstrong added: “While information on the 1 mm to 3 mm diamonds is important, most often the value of these diamonds does not impact the potential viability of the deposit being tested. This is certainly the case for Q1-4 where the value and size distribution of the fancy coloured diamond population will be critical in determining the economic potential of the deposit.

“We are therefore looking to design a small-scale mobile plant that can produce a hand-sortable concentrate for the recovery of +3 mm diamonds while saving significant costs and time delays associated with shipping bulk samples south for processing.”

Locating a diamond recovery plant at Naujaat as part of the Q1-4 bulk sampling program is possible due to the deposit’s proximity to marine transportation infrastructure and the improved accessibility that will be provided by a proposed new community access trail, the company said.

TOMRA XRT technology recovers massive diamond at Lucara’s Karowe mine

Comminution of minerals, Diamond mining, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, , , , , ,

Lucara Diamond Corp claims to have found and recovered one of the largest diamonds in recorded history at its Karowe operation in Botswana.

The 1,758 ct diamond was recovered through Lucara’s X-ray Transmission (XRT) circuit, commissioned in April 2015 by TOMRA Sorting Mining.

Lucara said it is the largest diamond recovered in Botswana, and the largest diamond to be mined at Karowe to date. It comes on top of the 1,111 ct diamond the company recovered in 2015.

“Weighing close to 352 g and measuring 83 mm x 62 mm x 46 mm, the diamond has been characterised as near gem of variable quality, including domains of high-quality white gem,” Lucara said.

Since commissioning of the XRT circuit in 2015, a total of 12 diamonds in excess of 300 ct have been recovered at Karowe, including two greater than 1,000 ct, from a total production of around 1.4 Mct. Of the 12 plus-300 ct diamonds recovered, 50% were categorised as gem quality with 11 sold to date generating revenue in excess of $158 million, Lucara said.

Geoffrey Madderson, Diamond Segment Manager for TOMRA Sorting Mining, said: “As the largest diamond ever recovered by a mechanical process, it reinforces the unparalleled value XRT offers kimberlite and diamond mining companies. Lucara’s innovative strategy, in combination with TOMRA’s world-class sensor technology, has once again proved an enormous success.”

Eira Thomas, Lucara’s CEO, said: “Lucara’s technologically-advanced, XRT diamond recovery circuit has once again delivered historic results. Karowe has now produced two diamonds greater than 1,000 ct in just four years, affirming the coarse nature of the resource and the likelihood of recovering additional, large, high quality diamonds in the future, particularly as we mine deeper in the orebody and gain access to the geologically favourable EM/PK(S) unit, the source of both of our record breaking, plus-1,000 ct diamonds.”

Imilingo after optimal XRT ore sorting process with iPlant package

Comminution of minerals, Gem stone mining, Industrial minerals, Metallurgy, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , , , ,

X-ray Transmission (XRT) ore sorting is being rolled out across the industry, with companies mining metals and minerals from various parts of the periodic table taking advantage of its sensing capabilities.

South Africa mineral processing company, Imilingo gave an exclusive world-first preview of its latest innovations in sensor-based sorting at the Electra Mining conference in Johannesburg last year. IM caught up with Managing Director, Jaco Prinsloo, to find out more about the company’s offering.

IM: How does Imilingo’s ore sorting offering differ from others on the market?

JP: Imilingo utilises mainly XRT sorting, which is at the forefront of sorting technology in diamond and tungsten applications. Imilingo’s iPlant packages the technology in a way that optimises the efficiency of the sorting machines and provides customers the advantage of dealing with a tried and tested system versus a system made up of a combination of components that are possibly less than ideal for their application. The mobility of the plants also plays a big part in providing the client with a workable solution in African countries and abroad.

IM: Do you use ore sorters from some of the major suppliers and then integrate them into your iPlant offering?

JP: Yes, we have built a strong working relationship with TOMRA Sorting as they are at the forefront of sorting and have a proven track record. The iPlant was specifically developed to prepare material for sorting and delivering the feed material in a clean and well classified state, which increases the efficiency of the sorting process.

IM: How does this customisation result in the optimal conditions for an effective sort?

JP: Efficient material classification and fines removal is key to the sorting process and that is what we focus on when developing a plant. Factors such as operator safety and equipment reliability come standard with our bespoke plants.

IM: Why have you chosen to specialise in diamonds, coal and heavy metals?

JP: Diamond recovery is a clean and relatively simple process, which lends itself to the development of standalone modular plants that can easily be expanded based on a client’s requirements. Tungsten has a much higher specific gravity than the host rock containing it, making it a very effective sort and resulting in a very efficient upgrade of run-of-mine ore. In terms of coal, Imilingo had a test plant running in Middelburg (South Africa) that was relatively successful but not commercially viable at the time due to market constraints.

IM: Have you carried out any commercial coal installations?

JP: No, we have only run our own test plant but believe the coal market is up for the taking in terms of coal sorting. Based on the running of our test plant, we believe that there remains a great opportunity within the coal market for utilising XRT sorting.

IM: Since showcasing your offering at Electra Mining in September, what interest have you had from the mining community in terms of using your solutions?

JP: We have had many enquiries regarding our sorting and dredging solutions. The nature of mining projects is that time is required for projects to mature and convert into actual sales. We believe the main effect of the Electra show was to establish our name in the marketplace and create awareness of our offering, which has been achieved.

The upcoming IM March issue will feature an article on ore sorting

TOMRA division reflects on 25 years of sensor-based sorting in mining

Base metals, Energy minerals, Gem stone mining, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, Steel and iron ore, , , ,

TOMRA’s sensor sorting systems are celebrating 25 years of operation in the mining space.

The past quarter of a century has seen high-value, high-quality recovery and innovation led by sustainability and record-breaking achievements, the company said.

TOMRA Sorting Mining’s history and success dates back to 1993 when Commodas applied its core sensor-based technology to a mining application.

The optical sorting solution was tested on an industrial scale to separate calcium carbonate (CaCo3) from other materials in order to recover higher values of CaCo3, which is an essential element used in everyday products, such as paper.

In this application, the sorting technology automatically removed grey and dark rocks from the bulk feed and achieved excellent results. This led to, in 1994, two large-scale machines featuring this technology being introduced to Hermsdorf (Erzgebirge), Germany. This installation successfully ran for eighteen years.

In 2006, Commodas joined the TOMRA Group forming part of TOMRA Sorting – a leading solution provider in mining, recycling and food industries.

“Today, TOMRA Sorting Mining equipment can be found in a variety of challenging environments and extreme climates around the world. Our combined strengths of expert industry knowledge, proprietary technology and qualified engineer support service significantly benefit our customers in this dynamic industry,” the company said.

“TOMRA Sorting Mining solutions have enabled the recovery of the world’s largest diamond in over 100 years, the world’s largest sorting plant with an 1,880 t/h feeder, the industry’s highest sorting plan at 4800 metres above sea level, many additional notable diamond recoveries and the Innovation Award of Peru.

During the 25th anniversary year, TOMRA Sorting Mining will introduce the new COM Series XRT 2.0 (pictured). Based on the successful XRT sorter, the new COM Series XRT 2.0 is a true evolution with industry-leading standards for robustness, throughput and availability, according to the company.

 

AusTin Mining weighing up ore-sorting at Taronga following positive tests

Base metals, Comminution of minerals, Industrial minerals, Mineral exploration, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

TOMRA is continuing to win praise for its sensor-based ore sorting technology, with AusTin Mining being the latest company to say pilot test work indicated the process could remove a significant amount of waste and boost grades.

The company had previously carried out a 60 kg trial with TOMRA on material from the Taronga project in New South Wales, Australia, which indicated X-ray Transmission (XRT) ore sorting was effective.

The latest test work went a step further, with 1.6 t of material grading 0.15% Sn from the Northern Zone of the Taronga deposit being crushed and run through an XRT-1200 sorter in a series of tests for different sizes.

In summary, the latest result indicated:

  • Significant mass rejection (up to 66%) to waste may be achieved. This could either reduce the scale of the downstream processing plant and/or enable an increased plat throughput;
  • Uplift (up to three times) in the grade of sorted product, which could increase the tin units reporting to a downstream processing plant;
  • Increase (over three times) in the grade of fines (-8 mm) material, highlighting the potential for preliminary beneficiation in conjunction with ore sorting, and;
  • Consistent waste grades across all tests, indicating the potential to increase tin recovery with increasing feed grade.

CEO, Peter Williams said of the results: “Aus Tin Mining is encouraged by the benefits ore sorting could deliver for the Taronga tin project, not only including the potential uplift in grade, but also the scope for lower costs and the long-term potential opportunity to exploit more of the mineral resource.”

Williams added that the Stage 1 project at Taronga would provide an “ideal opportunity to test and optimise the technology”.

In 2015, the company announced it would commence a Stage 1 development comprising a 340,000 t trial mine within the Northern Zone ore reserves and pilot processing plant able to produce a saleable concentrate over an 18-24 month period. The company is currently in the process of progressing outstanding regulatory approvals and contractor negotiations for this project.

In the coming weeks, AusTin intends to evaluate whether to proceed with an ore-sorting trial in conjunction with the Stage 1 project, including considerations for additional costs and existing approvals.

“The company will also transport the residual material from the ore-sorting test work to the Granville tin project to assess the material for downstream gravity and flotation processes,” the company said.

The Taronga tin project comprises two major zones of quartz-cassiterite, sheeted vein-style mineralisation. The Northern Zone accounts for approximately 70% of the total mineral resource (27 Mt at 0.15% Sn for 40,100 t contained tin) and is open at depth. The Southern Zone (9.3 Mt at 0.19% Sn for 17,100 t contained tin) comprises a very coarse cassiterite demonstrating superior metallurgical properties plus contains higher tin, copper and silver grades.

TOMRA XRT ore sorter starts to pay off at Stornoway’s Renard diamond op

Comminution of minerals, Mineral commodities, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Precious metals, Steel and iron ore, ,

The June quarter at Stornoway Diamonds’ Renard diamond operation in Quebec, Canada, started to show the positive results of using ore sorting technology.

Commissioning of the TOMRA X -Ray transmission plant commenced in March and was completed during the most recent quarter.

Among a quarter that saw lower quarter-on-quarter carat production (223,351 carats) and diamond grade (40 carats per hundred tonne) – previously expected with the transition from openpit to underground mining – the initial performance of the ore sorting plant stood out.

Stornoway said: “The new ore sorting plant at Renard … has been processing ore on a consistent basis since mid-May. The volume and quality of waste segregated from the ore feed has exceeded expectations, with waste rejected representing between 15% and 30% of material sorted.”

The company noted that kimberlite content in the waste stream had averaged between 1% and 2%.

And, the TOMRA ore sorter has even reduced Renard’s power requirements, according to Stornoway.

“Because the waste within the Renard ore is hard and difficult to crush, its rejection from the main process plant has also resulted in a net reduction in power consumption for processing even with the addition of the new sorting circuit,” Stornoway said.

“Considering the highly abrasive characteristics of the ore processed to date through the plant, consisting mainly of highly diluted, low grade material, the diamonds recovered since its introduction have exhibited lower levels of breakage than observed previously with comparable feed composition.”

Stornoway CEO Matt Manson said these initial diamond results were encouraging and, given the volume and quality of the waste being rejected, the company saw potential for upping processing capacity in its plant beyond the current nameplate rating.

As a result, Stornoway is now thinking about developing a modified mine plan to support the accelerated mining required.

Just last week, a TOMRA XRT ore sorter was commissioned at the Renison tin mine in Australia, with the operators expecting a 15-20% increase in tin production with its introduction.