Characteristics of sensor-based sorting technology and implementation in mining

The study introduces the basic components of senso-based sorting plants and the respective requirements. Both stationary and semi-mobile installations are evaluated and two developed semi-mobile plants described. As semi-mobile installations are relatively compact they allow for flexible application at strategic logistical positions which is in many cases close to the mining face. This requires the implementation into the mining system, especially due to the resulting backfill activities. Process efficiency testing of sensor-based sorters is effective with applied tracers and partition curves. Sensor-based sorting can be applied as a sampling tool for liberation analysis and process efficiency testing. The variographic analysis is identified as highly applicable for process efficiency testing and evaluation of the Total Sampling Error. The study at hand evaluates the technical and financial characteristics of senso-based sorting technology as well as for its implementation in mining applications. It introcduces a framework and methodology for project development and evaluation, for implementation, for efficiency testing and optimisation and for future research and development.