Potential of sensor-based sorting for the gold mining industry

CIM Journal, Vol. 4, No. 3, 2013

C. Robben TOMRA Sorting GmbH, Wedel/Hamburg, Germany H. Wotruba and M. Robben RWTH Aachen University, Department of Mineral Processing (AMR), Aachen, Germany L. von Ketelhodt TOMRA Sorting (Pty) Ltd., Ferndale, Republic of South Africa M. Kowalzcyk TOMRA Sorting Inc., Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Decreasing reserves, water shortages, increasing energy costs, and environmental and social constraints are challenges to the gold mining industry that must be met with innovative machines and methods. This paper introduces the principles of sensor-based sorting and installations that demonstrate the technical and financial viability of the method. The scenarios discussed highlight the potential and advantages of this dry processing technology that requires little infrastructure. Case studies are presented for different ore types using optical- and X-ray transmission–based sorting. Current research is discussed in terms of the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence sorting for gold applications.