Historic Site Meets Modern Technology
Vertex Minerals is introducing TOMRA Mining’s advanced LASER ore sorting technology at its Hill End gold project in New South Wales. The site lies 200 kilometres northwest of Sydney, between Bathurst and Mudgee, within the Eastern Lachlan Fold Belt. The region has yielded more than 1.6 million ounces of gold, including the Holtermann Nugget discovered in 1872. That specimen weighed around 285 kilograms and held about 93 kilograms of gold. The site remains significant for its historical importance in Australia’s early gold rush.
Goldfield Offers High-Grade Potential
Vertex executive chairperson Roger Jackson highlighted the site’s heritage and potential. “The reason why this site is so historically significant is that it was one of the first places where the gold rush started. They found this incredible deposit of high-grade gold, very significant for the Australian mining industry,” Jackson said. He added, “Vertex decided to open up this mine because it was already permitted, it was a high-grade gold mine, and we could see an opportunity to have one of the best high-grade gold mines in Australia.”
TOMRA Technology Enters the Workflow
TOMRA Mining’s sensor-based LASER ore sorting system now plays a key role at the Hill End site. The technology separates ore from waste rock using advanced sensors, improving the feed grade before processing. This move supports Vertex’s goal of reducing environmental impact and increasing efficiency. The ore sorting complements existing gravity separation methods used at the site.
Testwork Confirms Technology Efficiency
To assess compatibility, Vertex sent 160 kilograms of ore from the Reward mine to TOMRA’s Sydney test facility. The sample was screened to a 20–60mm size fraction before processing through the LASER sorter. The sorter targets quartz-rich particles linked to gold mineralisation in the Chesleigh Formation and Crudine Group. Results showed strong gains:
- Feed: 3.71g/t gold, 94kg, 100%
- Product: 16.2g/t gold, 19.4kg, 21%
- Waste: 0.46g/t gold, 74.6kg, 79%
TOMRA’s area sales and technical manager, Rech, shared insights. “The tests’ findings indicate a 337 per cent increase in gold grade and a 79 per cent reduction in mass, with minimal gold loss, demonstrating the technology’s effectiveness in upgrading ore prior to processing,” Rech said.
Ore Sorting Enables Broader Mining Scope
Jackson spoke on operational advantages gained through sorting. “We can mine bigger stopes and then sort it all and still get the same gold back through the process plant,” he said. The process reduces volume before it reaches the crushing and milling stages, saving energy and resources.
Environmental Gains Highlight ‘Green Gold’ Approach
Vertex has adopted the LASER sorter as part of its sustainable mining plan. The system reduces reliance on chemical processing and decreases tailings production. Jackson said, “We have reduced power, water and time we’ve got to run the plant because it’s so efficient in sorting out the waste from the gold ore.” Rech added, “The material discarded by the sorter is proper barren material that can be used as road base or aggregate and disposed of responsibly.”
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Legacy Systems Receive a Modern Upgrade
TOMRA views the partnership with Vertex as a step forward in mining innovation. Rech said, “What excites me about this project is to work with a team like Vertex and this beautiful historic site, and mine in a more efficient and intelligent way.” The company’s LASER technology has demonstrated strong results in other commodities and now enters the Australian gold sector through Vertex.
Future Operations Look to Expand Capabilities
The success of TOMRA’s sorter at Hill End has encouraged Vertex to continue upgrading its processing plant. The existing infrastructure includes crushing, ball milling and gravity concentration equipment. The LASER sorter enhances throughput and lowers operational costs by pre-concentrating ore. Vertex aims to increase gold production while maintaining environmental performance.
TOMRA and Vertex Align for Industry Evolution
Rech reflected on TOMRA’s long-term goals in mining. “It’s important that TOMRA is part of the industry change we’re seeing, with companies like Vertex stepping in to take an old traditional system and mine it in a more efficient way, with low energy, zero chemicals, no tailings dam,” Rech said. “That’s something TOMRA definitely wants to be a part of.”
Conclusion
Vertex Minerals has combined modern sensor-based technology with historical mining grounds to create a more efficient gold operation. The integration of TOMRA’s LASER ore sorter delivers higher gold grades, reduced energy use and lower environmental impact. This collaboration signals a broader shift in Australia’s mining sector towards smarter, more sustainable operations.
