Andrada Mining has acquired TOMRA XRT sensor-based sorting technology for the tin plant at its flagship Uis Mine.
TOMRA Sorting Mining designs and manufactures sensor-based sorting technologies for the global mineral processing and mining industries.
As the world market leader in sensor-based ore sorting, TOMRA is responsible for developing and engineering cutting-edge technology made to withstand harsh mining environments.
Andrada Mining owns the open-pit Uis tin mine, which represents one of the largest tin reserves in Namibia.
The company is implementing expansion plans at the mine, which include introducing a pre-concentrating circuit of ore sorters to increase tin concentrate from 1,500 to 2,600 tpa.
The sorters acquired by Andrada Mining feature TOMRA’s latest innovation, the groundbreaking OBTAIN™ software for the ore sorting pre-concentration circuit in the dry process section of the plant.
Andrada Mining expects to increase the tin content of the feed to the wet processing plant by 50%.
Andrada Mining CEO Anthony Viljoen said TOMRA’s proven ability to adapt solutions for fast-growing companies like Andrada ensures a smooth and swift implementation process.
Viljoen also said TOMRA’s XRT sorters are game-changers that combine high-tech sensors, powerful sorting valves, and industry-leading software for exceptional reliability.
“With TOMRA’s OBTAIN™ imaging software, we can boost production output while maximizing mineral recovery and ore quality, which is a win-win for efficiency and earnings,” Viljoen said.
TOMRA’s area sales manager for Southern Africa, Helga van Lochem, expressed excitement about teaming up with Andrada Mining and helping them unlock value at the Uis mine.
Lochem said the XRT sorters, the first to incorporate the OBTAIN™ Deep Learning feature, were unveiled just a few months ago.
“We will be at their side throughout the installation process and beyond, ensuring the sorters perform as required, meeting and even exceeding expectations,” Lochem said.
A COM Tertiary XRT 1200 will be dedicated to the coarse size fraction, while two COM Tertiary XRT Fines sorters are equipped with the high-resolution TS100C ejection module for small particle sizes, which delivers high precision in high-capacity applications.
The module uses 90% less compressed air to eject the particles, reducing energy consumption dramatically and consequently significantly cutting operating costs while delivering a high-quality product.
TOMRA says the XRT sorters feature its groundbreaking AI-powered OBTAIN™ software, which leverages Deep Learning to deliver single-particle precision in high-throughput ore sorting—an industry first.
It uses a Neuronal Network to identify the properties of each particle accurately and independently of the sorter’s capacity, achieving unparalleled precision and reliability in detection and ejection.
In addition to enhancing the sorters’ performance and taking capacity, quality, and recovery to a new level, OBTAIN™ will provide Andrada Mining with a wealth of detailed and accurate data, which will help them optimize the process with better-informed decision-making.
