• The ore sorter at Vertex’s Hill End gold plant is now being commissioned
• Vertex is using Tomra’s ore sorting technology with technicians at site this week
• First production and sales slated for February

Special Report: Near-term gold producer Vertex Minerals has started the commissioning process of the recently installed Tomra ore-sorter and pre concentrator at the Hill End gold plant in New South Wales.

Tomra technicians are at the site this week, commissioning the laser sorter and incorporating it into the Hill End gravity gold plant while the gravity concentrator is processing gold ore.

Vertex (ASX:VTX) believes the ore-sorting technology can positively impact the sustainability and profitability of the company’s operations through a variety of ways.

Tomra’s laser system detects, classifies and ejects quartz from the relatively low to nil-grade host rock before it enters the processing plant, resulting in reduced planting running time, operator hours, energy and water consumption, and carbon footprint.

The process essentially increases the ore grade, with the laser sorter technology creating ore with 79% mass reduction and 337.20% increase in grade in the 8mm to 50mm range last year during a scoping test.

Commissioning completion in February

Vertex is commissioning the project in under 12 months since an updated prefeasibility study was carried out.

The ore sorter, which is a separate module to the gravity plant, is ahead of time and within budget, and is expected to be commissioned in early February.

Commissioning is using the stockpiled gold ore sitting next to the plant as its focus of first production and sales.

The company snagged the Gekko plant last year with expectations of dramatic cost reductions and earlier production targets.

‘Perfectly suited’

“The ore sorting installation and commissioning is very exciting as this presents incredible commercial and environmental benefits for Vertex,” VTX executive chairman Roger Jackson said.

“It has been shown that Reward gold ore is perfectly suited for this technology.

“Upgrading the Reward high-grade ore material to an even higher grade, significantly reduces the processing costs and increasing the returns per tonne.”

This article was developed in collaboration with Vertex Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.