The ability to apply methods to upgrade coarse feed in gold plants through a process of selective processing has always been of interest. The level of interest has waxed and waned over the last 30-40years, but improvements in methods and pressure to increase the efficiency of resource utilization, have driven greater attention. The resources in question, not simply being the orebody itself, but the requirements for energy and water and the level of intensity applied. Despite various advances in technology, the market penetration of selective coarse upgrading, either via physical means (screening, DMS) or sensors (particle or mass sorting), is still limited. In relation to gold, such uptake is further compounded by low concentration and the lack of commercial sensors for direct detection. In this paper, the authors examine some of the key factors impacting the rate and degree of uptake of preconcentration in the gold sector.
CITATION:Bearman, R A, Bowman, D J and Dunne, R, 2019. Decision support for ore sorting and preconcentration in gold applications, in Proceedings World Gold 2019, pp 413429 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).