Vertex Minerals (ASX: VTX) is transforming gold processing at its Hill End project in New South Wales by integrating TOMRA LASER sorting technology, a breakthrough that enhances ore grade, lowers environmental impact, and strengthens operational efficiency.
The Hill End site, steeped in history, is now becoming a testing ground for cutting-edge gold processing technology that challenges conventional approaches.
A Historic Goldfield Meets a Modern Transformation
Located roughly 200 kilometers northwest of Sydney in the Eastern Lachlan Fold Belt, the Hill End goldfield has produced more than 1.6 million ounces of gold, including the famed Holtermann Nugget—a quartz specimen containing 93 kilograms of gold unearthed in 1872.
“The reason why this site is so historically significant is that it was one of the first places where the gold rush started,” said Roger Jackson, Executive Chairperson of Vertex Minerals. “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.”
The project’s orebody, characterized by quartz veins in the Chesleigh Formation and Crudine Group, lends itself well to gravity separation techniques—avoiding the need for chemical processing. This makes it ideally suited for integration with TOMRA’s sensor-based sorting technology, particularly its advanced LASER capabilities.
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Integrating TOMRA LASER Sorting Technology
In a move to boost both recovery rates and sustainability, Vertex Minerals recently adopted TOMRA’s LASER ore sorting technology. The system distinguishes quartz-rich, gold-bearing material from waste rock, effectively concentrating ore before it reaches the processing plant.
The test phase saw 160 kilograms of ore from the Reward Gold Mine processed at TOMRA’s Sydney test facility. Screened to a 20–60mm size fraction, the sample was run through the LASER sorter with impressive results:
| Size Fraction | Category | Au Grade (g/t) | Mass (kg) | Mass (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–60mm | Feed | 3.71 | 94 | 100% |
| 20–60mm | Product | 16.2 | 19.4 | 21% |
| 20–60mm | Waste | 0.46 | 74.6 | 79% |
“The findings show a 337% increase in gold grade and a 79% mass reduction, with minimal loss of gold,” said Gavin Rech, Area Sales and Technical Manager for Australia at TOMRA Mining.
Roger Jackson adds, “We can mine bigger stopes, sort it all, and still recover the same amount of gold through the process plant.”
Operational and Environmental Payoff
The adoption of TOMRA LASER sorting at Hill End is not just about operational gains. The environmental benefits are equally compelling. By pre-concentrating ore, Vertex significantly reduces energy and water use, minimizes tailings, and eliminates the need for chemical leaching.
“The material discarded by the sorter is proper barren material that can be used as road base or aggregate,” Rech noted, underlining the potential for secondary usage and responsible disposal.
Vertex’s commitment to sustainable mining practices aligns with TOMRA’s broader vision. “The TOMRA ore sorter has been a game-changer for this site,” said Jackson. “It’s efficient in sorting out waste, reducing the power, water, and time needed to run the plant.”
Looking Ahead: Green Gold and Scalable Innovation
With this successful rollout, Vertex Minerals positions itself at the vanguard of the green gold movement. Future plans may include scaling TOMRA’s gold processing technology across similar sites, maximizing recovery while preserving Australia’s natural heritage.
“It’s important that TOMRA is part of the industry change,” Rech concluded. “Companies like Vertex are stepping in to take an old traditional system and mine it in a more efficient way—with low energy, zero chemicals, no tailings dam. That’s something TOMRA wants to support.”
As gold miners face increasing pressure to reduce environmental footprints and improve resource utilization, Vertex’s integration of TOMRA LASER sorting offers a blueprint for how historic mines can thrive in a modern, eco-conscious world.
