We are world-leading experts in the integration of ore sorting technology, including world-first UV laser tech which cannot be sourced anywhere else.
STARK has the expertise to implement almost every mining technology in the field to brownfield sites. Dense Media Separation (DMS) plants, RFID tracers, selective milling, magnetic separation; whatever your needs, we can deliver. As we are experts in delivering Greenfield plants from scratch, we can enhance and recalibrate virtually every aspect of your plant, delivering huge cost benefits with a rapid payback time.
However, STARK can also deliver some solutions that no other operator can.
The advantages of implementing ore sorting technology at Tier-1 projects:
- Install integrated modular solutions, which can be ready within two weeks of arrival on site
- Deliver rapid payback time, often of only a few months
- Increase minable tons, reclaim waste dumps, divert ore types to access previously inaccessible revenue, decrease haulage costs and reduce tailings
- Reduce water consumption by up to 100%, and energy consumption by up to 80%
- Minimise reagent use
After initial orebody analysis, our focus is on immediate cash benefits, as all improvements which result in an increased yield from the orebody constitute 100% additional profit.
Our clients and partners say
Lucara's Karowe mine stands alone in the global context of large diamond recovery as the only location to recover 4 diamonds larger than 1,000 carats. As an early adaptor of sensor-based primary diamond recovery from sized run of mine material, the Stark Team over the years has been instrumental in the design, process flow, construction and commissioning of the XRT circuits. The results are a testament to incredible team work, excellent process flow, and an innovative circuit combined with a truly unique diamond deposit.
John Armstrong
Vice President Technical Services
We acquired an updated stand-alone XRT plant and within a very short space of time recovered the 91O ct D-colour Lesotho Legend diamond at Letšeng. This must surely rank as one of the best ROIs that has ever been seen!
Clifford Elphick
Chief Executive Officer
During COVID lockdown the team replaced 5 COMS XRT sorters, washing screens along with XRT building expansion. This was planned remotely with the Karowe Process and Engineering teams, and executed on the ground. At the height of the global pandemic this work was completed safely, on time and on budget, under challenging circumstances - a testament to their ability to plan and execute.
John Armstrong
Vice President Technical Services
Is a single test sufficient for determining ore sorting suitability in an orebody?
You may be under the misconception that ore sorting suitability can be determined with a single test. The sensors and software advancements available with modern technology are continuously evolving, and many assets have only been tested with one type of ore sorter. STARK uses the most advanced orebody analysis techniques to check whether a different approach might yield positive results. We’re able to source ore sorters from the entire market.
Beyond this, assets need to be comprehensively tested, with multiple samples taken from material including a high, low, and average expected feed. Tier 1 miners may think they need more advanced capacities than STARK can provide, but it’s often the case that only a small segment, or a specific size class, of total feed streams needs to be sorted for value add.
Other objections can include fears that original plant designs didn’t include sorting, or that it adds an extra layer of complexity to a simple, already smooth operation. However, this is another misconception — we independently integrate and apply equipment to reduce downstream chemical processing requirements and tailings, which makes the operation easier as well as cheaper.
At the very least, it’s worth a brief call to see whether we can help.
The two key sorting approaches we use
are XRT sorting and UV laser sorting.
XRT Sorting
XRT sorting is based on the mining principle that different materials absorb X-rays to varying degrees. For example, lithium-bearing ores absorb X-rays differently to host rocks such as clays or granites.
By measuring the intensity of the X-rays which make it through material, XRT sorting equipment can distinguish between valuable and worthless material, like how a doctor can distinguish bone through soft tissue on an X-ray scan.
Waste rock rejection by XRT sorting is typically coarse (within the -50 to +10mm fraction), and high capacity, targeting the specific atomic density of the waste rock. It’s the unique density range which sees waste removed from the feed material, improving the ore grade being fed into subsequent unit processes.
World-first laser sorting technology
Of course, you often only need XRT sorting to generate a saleable product. However, where a product still needs to be upgraded – in the case of lithium ore, up to SC6 quality – we roll out our unique selling point: the world’s first UV laser ore sorting technology. The valuable material that has made it through the XRT sorters is sent through the plant process to UV sorting.
Although STARK doesn’t develop or supply the technology itself, the company has facilitated the integration of the world’s first UV sorting application in hard rock lithium mining.
UV sorters separate
spodumene
In a lithium operation, for example, UV sorters separate spodumene from its host rock, and are unique in that they can directly ‘see’ the spodumene. It requires the spodumene to be well liberated but usually achieves larger mass reductions and lower losses.
The process works by exploiting the intrinsic chemical properties of a target mineral – with spodumene, the unique UV fluorescence of its crystal lattice impurities, which is an obvious difference to waste rock.
Before running an amenability UV sorting test, samples
are subjected to spectral analysis to find the optimum
sorting configuration settings.
UV lasers and sensors are used to scan ore particles, creating raw images of processed material. The technology then merges the raw images to classify the ability of an ore particle to fluoresce within a pre-set range. On site, an ore particle that can fluoresce shows up green from multiple angles, while other materials will appear grey.
Increase profit by up to 390%
STARK has evidenced that adding a dry beneficiation stage of laser sorting can increase profit by up to 390% within two years, compared to a traditional DSO crushing and screening plant, depending on the liberation size of the ore. STARK can deliver a high-grade solution direct to site in a container, ready for plant integration, and explicitly designed to speed up access to SC6 from complex ores.
For perspective, clients who implement a STARK Resources modular plant design, combining XRT sorters alongside laser ore sorting, can see a traditional DSO yielding 1.5% Li2O upgrade to +5.5% Li2O (SC6) in a best-case scenario.
Increase profit by up to 390%
STARK has evidenced that adding a dry beneficiation stage of laser sorting can increase profit by up to 390% within two years, compared to a traditional DSO crushing and screening plant, depending on the liberation size of the ore. STARK can deliver a high-grade solution direct to site in a container, ready for plant integration, and explicitly designed to speed up access to SC6 from complex ores.
For perspective, clients who implement a STARK Resources modular plant design, combining XRT sorters alongside laser ore sorting, can see a traditional DSO yielding 1.5% Li2O upgrade to +5.5% Li2O (SC6) in a best-case scenario.
Additional benefits to your business
+
INCREASED
PROFITABILITY
Run your mineral processing operation more efficiently and profitably by integrating our RFID tracer technology. Monitor your plant in real time with no shut-down time to introduce the tracers.
+
REAL-TIME
DATA
Mining is about volume and efficiencies. Monitor your fit-for-purpose, custom-built dashboard and have access to actionable data to make smart decisions and optimise immediately.
+
RESPONSIBLE USE
OF RESOURCES
Reduce the negative impact of mining and do as little harm as possible. Reduce waste, don’t lose any ore that will need to be reprocessed and ensure efficient allocation of resources. Improve the safety of your employees.
Contact us
Any questions?
We are always at your service.
Ryan Szabo
B.Tech Mech Engineering
PROJECT MANAGER: AUSTRALIA
ryan@stark-resources.com
+49 177 242 5901