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Soma Gold Corp, a significant entity in the mining industry, has garnered attention by securing a substantial agreement for the installation of a sensor-based sorting facility at its flagship site, El Bagre, in Antioquia, Colombia. This development follows favorable results from bench-scale testing, suggesting a promising potential for improved operational efficiency.
The budget for this pilot installation is roughly US$2.2 million, with the commissioning of the sorting facility expected in the first half of the upcoming period.
This initiative seeks to revolutionize Soma’s approach to processing mineralized material, enhancing both efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Table of Contents:
Understanding the sensor-based sorting technology
Sensor-based sorting technology (SBS) enables the separation of valuable minerals from waste material based on their physical properties. In recent tests conducted by Soma, a 990 kg bulk sample was analyzed and divided into three distinct sub-samples: a coarse fraction, a middling fraction, and a combined sample. This approach assesses the effectiveness of the sorting process across various grades of material encountered in Soma’s operations.
Test results and implications
Results from recent tests demonstrate significant potential for mineral processing. The coarse sample showed a mass rejection rate of 40% while achieving a metallurgical recovery of 97%. In the middling sample, the mass rejection reached 50%, with a recovery rate of 84%. Combined feed tests revealed a mass rejection of 55% and an impressive metallurgical recovery of 95%. Notably, the sorting process enhanced the gold grade of the output material by 62.5%.
This data underscores the effectiveness of sensor-based sorting technology, indicating that mineralized materials from the Cordero Mine are well-suited for this advanced method. The combination of high mass rejection rates and minimal metal loss significantly boosts the potential for profitable operations.
Future prospects for Soma Gold Corp
Mark Bren, Vice President of Operations at Soma, expressed optimism regarding the results from the Cordero complex. He anticipates similar successes with materials sourced from their satellite operations, which include formalization targets and projects managed by small contractors. The implementation of sensor-based sorting technology is expected to transform operations, enabling increased gold production without the necessity of expanding plant capacity.
Strategic investments and sustainability
Investing in this advanced technology will allow Soma to process previously unfeasible mineralized material that did not meet processing cutoff grades. By establishing a pilot plant for this technology, the company can scale its operations to a commercial level. This setup will facilitate ongoing evaluations of material from various sources while fine-tuning sorting parameters to optimize processing outputs.
Soma Gold Corp is expanding its operations while prioritizing sustainability and community engagement. The company controls over 430 square kilometers of mineral concessions along the productive OTU fault. It operates two fully permitted mills that can process a combined 675 tons per day. With ongoing exploration initiatives, Soma is well-positioned for future growth in the gold mining industry.
In addition, the company is assessing several small-scale mining projects near the El Limon Mine and the Machuca Project. This strategy aims to diversify its operational capacity and resource base.
Soma Gold Corp enhances gold extraction with new technology
Soma Gold Corp’s recent agreement to implement a sensor-based sorting facility represents a pivotal advancement in gold extraction processes. The company has reported promising test results, showcasing its commitment to technological innovation. This initiative positions Soma to optimize operational efficiencies and maintain its growth trajectory in Colombia’s competitive mining sector.
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