X-ray transmission sorting of tungsten ore

The Deutsche Rohstoff AG, TOMRA Sorting Solutions|
mining and the RWTH Aachen University have performed
a study on the applicability of sensor-based sorting in the process
of tungsten ore for theWolfram Camp Mine in Australia. The aim
of this project was pre-concentrating of tungsten ore by removal
of barren material. The pre-concentration can lead to energy
and water savings, decrease of reagent input in downstream processes
and increase minerals reserve utilization by lowering the
cut-off grade. A comprehensive research programme concluded
that the best suited sensor-technology for this material was XRay
Transmission (XRT). The XRT sensor provides a highly efficient
system for classifying and sorting different materials based
on their atomic density. XRT sorting is already applied as well in
the recycling as in the minerals industry. The results of the test
runs have shown that XRT sorting can effectively remove and reduce
barren material and that it is an effective technology for the
pre-concentration of tungsten ore.