Soma Gold Corp is advancing its mineralised materials upgrading technique at its El Bagre operation in Colombia by the implementation of TOMRA Mining’s sensor-based sorting expertise, combining XRT expertise with superior synthetic intelligence by OBTAIN™ and CONTAIN™, TOMRA says.
Following optimistic take a look at work outcomes carried out on the TOMRA Check Middle in Germany, the corporate is transferring ahead with the set up of a COM Tertiary XRT 1200 sorter to enhance course of effectivity and maximise the worth of its mineralised materials.
A gold mining firm targeted on exploration, improvement and manufacturing in Colombia, Soma’s operations are centred within the Antioquia area, the place the corporate is concentrated on optimising efficiency throughout its property whereas sustaining robust operational effectivity and useful resource utilisation.
At its El Bagre operation, Soma processes gold-bearing materials from each its personal mines and third-party sources, requiring a versatile and environment friendly method to dealing with various mineralised materials varieties and grades.
Like many gold operations, Soma faces the continued problem of managing variable mineralised materials traits whereas sustaining steady and environment friendly plant efficiency. A key precedence is to cut back the quantity of non-valuable materials getting into the processing circuit, notably in energy-intensive levels akin to crushing and grinding.
By eradicating waste materials early within the course of, the corporate goals to enhance feed consistency, optimise downstream capability, and scale back pointless put on and power consumption.
Mark Bren, VP Operations at Soma (pictured beneath), stated: “The take a look at work confirmed that sensor-based sorting can play a key function in how we handle our mineralised materials extra effectively. TOMRA demonstrated extra constant and dependable efficiency outcomes underneath modelled plant circumstances in our take a look at work. By eradicating waste early within the course of and concentrating the precious materials stream, we see clear potential to enhance total plant efficiency.”
On the core of the answer is TOMRA Mining’s X-ray Transmission (XRT) expertise, which allows the differentiation of fabric based mostly on its atomic density, permitting exact separation of mineralised materials and non-valuable materials. The system deployed at Soma combines dual-energy XRT sensing with superior synthetic intelligence algorithms to realize extremely correct particle classification.
TOMRA’s newest improvements, OBTAIN and CONTAIN, play a key function on this functionality, TOMRA says. OBTAIN introduces deep learning-based particle classification, enabling high-precision sorting on the particular person particle stage even at excessive throughput, guaranteeing constant efficiency no matter belt occupancy. CONTAIN, designed for advanced inclusion-type materials, makes use of superior neural networks to detect helpful mineralisation which may be embedded inside host rock and troublesome to establish utilizing typical strategies.
Bren added: “For us, the worth lies not solely in upgrading the fabric, but additionally in enhancing how the whole plant operates. If we are able to reject non-valuable materials earlier, we are able to optimise downstream capability and course of the mineralised materials extra successfully.”
To guage the applying of this expertise, Soma carried out a benchmark take a look at program at TOMRA’s Check Middle, utilizing consultant materials from its Colombian operations. The outcomes demonstrated a transparent improve of the mineralised materials, offering robust validation of the expertise, TOMRA says.
The take a look at program evaluated materials throughout completely different dimension ranges and mineralised materials varieties, confirming the robustness of the system underneath various feed circumstances. Explicit consideration was given to efficiency in difficult eventualities, together with small particle sizes and excessive belt occupancy, the place the system demonstrated exact detection and dependable sorting outcomes.
Bren explains: “What stood out was not solely the extent of improve achieved, but additionally the consistency of the outcomes throughout completely different materials varieties and dimension fractions. That gave us confidence to maneuver ahead with implementation.” Bren provides.
Fernando Romero, TOMRA Mining, stated: “The take a look at work additional demonstrated how sensor-based sorting can effectively separate lower-value materials from mineralised materials streams, enabling a extra managed and optimized processing method.”
A key differentiating issue noticed throughout testing was the power of the sorter to keep up excessive precision even underneath demanding working circumstances. The system confirmed robust efficiency throughout each coarse and fantastic particle dimension ranges, in addition to in dense materials flows.
The combination of TOMRA’s high-speed TS100 ejection module additionally allows a big discount in compressed air consumption – as much as 70% – whereas sustaining correct and dependable separation. This contributes not solely to operational effectivity but additionally to decrease working prices.
Following these outcomes, Soma moved ahead with the following part of the venture, putting an order for a COM Tertiary XRT 1200 sorter to be built-in immediately into its most important processing flowsheet, enhancing materials dealing with circumstances and total plant effectivity.
The combination of the sorter into the continual course of allows extra environment friendly materials dealing with and improves total plant efficiency. By working as a part of the primary processing flowsheet, the system contributes to optimized materials stream and enhanced course of stability, in keeping with TOMRA.
The venture is being developed in shut collaboration with DISMET, TOMRA’s native integrator, supporting the design and implementation of an answer tailor-made to the precise necessities of the El Bagre operation.
One of many key benefits of TOMRA’s sensor-based sorting options is the power to concurrently enhance course of management and materials worth. By eradicating non-valuable materials early, operations can higher handle the amount and consistency of feed getting into the plant, whereas growing the worth of the processed stream.
“By rejecting waste early, you comprise variability and pointless processing load, whereas acquiring a higher-value materials stream. This has a direct affect on how effectively the plant can function,” Romero added.
Via the mix of TOMRA’s XRT sensing, deep studying and exact ejection expertise, TOMRA allows mining operations to stabilise processing circumstances, scale back pointless throughput and unlock worth from materials which will in any other case be thought of marginal.
As Soma progresses towards full implementation at El Bagre, sensor-based sorting is anticipated to turn into an integral a part of its operational technique, TOMRA says. By combining validated take a look at work with superior XRT and AI-driven applied sciences, the corporate is positioning itself to additional improve efficiency and effectivity throughout its Colombian operations.
