The mining division of Norwegian-based Tomra Sorting Solutions, CommodasUltrasort, will showcase its dry X-ray transmission (XRT) coal sorting technology when it exhibits at the 2012 Investing in African Mining Indaba, in Cape Town.

The company will also present the significant developments in dry chrome and other mineral beneficiation pro- cesses using XRT sorting, says CommodasUltrasort South Africa GM Lütke von Ketelhodt.

He explains that this focus is the result of the increasing demand for XRT coal sorting on a global level and especially in sub- Saharan Africa.
“The company will present a small, focused stand, with a video showcasing its full range of sensor sorting technologies playing continuously,” notes Von Ketelhodt.
He says that, in the sub-Saharan Africa coal sector, the use of sensor-based sorting has taken off because of the technology’s increased efficiency and appropriate design for the region’s operating conditions.

“The technology has been particularly well received in various projects in South Africa and in Africa as it is less capital intensive. It also does not require the extensive infrastructure and water-handling requirements associated with dense-medium separation,” he points out.

These advantages have contributed to the significant developments in XRT coal, diamond and chrome sorting on the continent.

In an XRT sorter, coal is radiated with X-rays and the amount of radiation that passes through the coal is measured. More radiation is absorbed by stone than by coal, making it possible to distinguish between coal and shale.

“Sensor-based sorting, especially the XRT sorting of coal, is a revolutionary technology, which is increasingly gaining ground over more conventional coal processing techniques worldwide. In conventional coal processing, the density difference between coal and shale or stone is used to separate the coal from the unwanted contaminants, while XRT sorters are able to distinguish lighter coal from heavier minerals based on the differences in their atomic density,” Von Ketelhodt explains.

He says CommodasUltrasort has had significant success at previous Mining Indabas through personal presentations to import- ant decision-makers in the mining industry. This is one of the main reasons the company is investing in this year’s Indaba.

“We hope to network with many of these high-level decision- makers from local and cross- border mines and communicate to them our strategy of leading a revolution in mineral processing.

“The presentations given at the Mining Indaba are also extremely valuable as they give us the opportunity to learn about the current thinking and trends in the mining business and generally keep in touch with this fast-moving, expanding industry,” Von Ketelhodt comments.

He says Southern Africa is rich in resources and growing mining activity paints a pleasing picture of the future. “We are seeing that many new mining operations and companies are eager to invest in CommodasUltrasort’s groundbreaking technology owing to its incomparable advantages.”

He stresses that, although growth potential is heavily weighted towards coal and diamonds, which are important niches, CommodasUltrasort is excited about opportunities in all the commodities in Africa, including chrome, platinum and base metals.

However, he says the industry in Africa is experiencing increasing processing, energy and water costs – perhaps the most important challenge as this places significant pressure on the bottom line of miners.

“Our beneficiation solutions are appropriate in these circumstances and can alleviate cost pressures, as they are less expensive and more efficient in terms of water and energy,” Von Ketelhodt enthuses.

In relation to this, South African Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu stated at the 2010 Mining Indaba that sensor ore sorters are a promising technology in a country such as South Africa and many other African countries that are water and energy intensive, as well as where the consumption of these resources needs to be more efficient.

Edited by: Tracy Hancock

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