Vertex’s New Ore Sorter Promises Lower Costs but Faces Integration Risks
Vertex Minerals has begun commissioning a cutting-edge laser ore sorter at its Hill End gravity gold plant, aiming to enhance ore grade and reduce operational costs significantly.
- Laser ore sorter commissioned at Hill End gravity gold plant
- Sorter achieves 79% mass reduction and over 337% grade increase on Reward Gold ore
- Technology reduces processing feed, energy, water use, and carbon footprint
- Operator training underway with Gekko technicians
- Expected to improve sustainability and profitability of Vertex’s Reward Gold operations
Introduction to the New Technology
Vertex Minerals Limited (ASX:VTX) has officially commenced commissioning of a state-of-the-art laser ore sorter at its Hill End gravity gold plant. This installation marks a significant technological advancement for the company’s Reward Gold Mine operations, leveraging TOMRA’s laser sorting technology to pre-concentrate ore before it enters the processing circuit.
How the Laser Sorter Works
The laser ore sorter uses advanced detection capabilities to distinguish gold-bearing quartz from waste rock such as slate and greywacke. By sorting material in the 8mm to 50mm size range, the technology achieves a remarkable 79% reduction in mass while increasing the ore grade by 337.20%, according to previous test results announced in September 2024.
This pre-concentration step means that the gravity concentrator processes a significantly higher-grade feed, reducing the volume of material needing treatment and thus lowering operational demands.
Operational and Environmental Benefits
Vertex’s Executive Chairman, Roger Jackson, highlighted the dual commercial and environmental benefits of the sorter. By upgrading the ore grade before processing, the plant requires fewer feed tonnes, which translates into reduced plant running time, lower operator hours, and decreased energy and water consumption. These efficiencies are expected to drive down operating costs and reduce the carbon footprint of the operation.
Additionally, the sorter reduces tailings volume, particularly sand, which further enhances environmental, social, and governance (ESG) outcomes and cost savings.
Training and Integration
While the sorter is being commissioned, Vertex operators are receiving hands-on training from Gekko technicians to ensure smooth integration into the existing Hill End gravity gold plant workflow. The commissioning process is running concurrently with ongoing gravity concentrator operations, underscoring the company’s commitment to minimizing downtime during this upgrade.
Why Reward Gold Ore is Ideal for Sorting
The success of the laser sorting technology at Reward Gold Mine is attributed to several geological and mineralogical factors: the liberation of quartz from host rock at the targeted size fraction, the strong association of gold with quartz, and the effective separation of greywacke from quartz during blasting and crushing. These factors enable the sorter to efficiently distinguish and separate valuable ore from waste.
Looking Ahead
Vertex Minerals’ adoption of TOMRA’s laser sorting technology positions the company at the forefront of sustainable gold processing innovation. As commissioning progresses, the market will be watching closely for operational metrics that confirm the anticipated improvements in ore grade, cost efficiency, and environmental impact.
Bottom Line?
Vertex’s laser sorter commissioning could redefine cost and sustainability benchmarks in gold processing at Hill End.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the sorter’s performance metrics translate into actual cost savings and production increases?
- What are the potential operational challenges during full-scale integration of the laser sorter?
- Could this technology be scaled or adapted to other Vertex Minerals projects or similar gold operations?
