New Horizon Copper (NHC) has taken another important step forward in its drive to improve operational efficiency and technological capability with the arrival of a highly significant new piece of equipment for its flagship operation, Kombat Mine.
The newly delivered system, supplied by global technology leader STEINERT GmbH, introduces “Sensor-Based Sorting” (SBS) technology to the operation. This innovative ore-sorting solution will help unlock additional value from existing mineralised material while supporting the company’s long-term production ambitions.
The investment reflects NHC’s core corporate values of Sustainable and Future, ensuring the company continues to develop responsibly while strengthening the long-term viability of its operations.
Driving Sustainability Through Innovation
NHC’s commitment to sustainability focuses on ensuring the long-term success of the Kombat operation through operational efficiency, safety, and effective utilisation of resources.
The introduction of sensor-based sorting technology is a key part of this strategy. By enabling the early separation of waste rock from mineralised material, the technology improves processing efficiency while reducing energy consumption, water usage, and overall environmental impact.
Equally, the investment supports the company’s Future value - continuing to innovate and develop its resource base responsibly for the benefit of future generations.
What Sensor-Based Sorting Technology Delivers
Sensor-Based Sorting (SBS) is a dry ore pre-concentration technology that analyses individual rocks as they move along a conveyor belt.
Using X-Ray Transmission (XRT) sensors, the system measures the atomic density of each particle. Based on this information, the system determines whether the rock contains valuable mineralisation or represents barren waste.
Waste material is then identified and removed from the conveyor, allowing only the higher-grade ore to continue into the processing plant.
This approach provides several important operational advantages:
- Early rejection of barren rock
- Increased mill feed grade
- Reduced downstream processing costs, including crushing, grinding, and flotation
- Lower water, energy, and reagent consumption
- Reduced tailings volumes
Supporting the Expansion of Kombat Operations
The introduction of SBS technology also plays a critical role in supporting the next phase of development at Kombat.
As part of Phase 1 expansion of the Asis West deposit, NHC target is to increase plant throughput to 60,000 tonnes per month (60 ktpm). However, the hoisting capacity of the existing infrastructure - specifically the #1 and #3 shafts - is currently limited to approximately 45 ktpm.
To bridge this production gap, the company has identified an additional feed source.
Historic mining operations at Kombat left behind stockpiles of low-grade mineralised waste and oxide ore from previous open-pit activity. With the introduction of STEINERT’s XRT sorting technology, NHC will be able to recover economically viable oxide ore from these stockpiles.
From NHC’s perspective, the SBS technology system will in practical terms:
- Process historical stockpiles on surface
- Separate oxide ore from low-grade mineralised waste
- Provide supplementary plant feed to help achieve the 60 ktpm production target
Flexible Technology for Future Operations
The SBS unit will initially operate on surface for approximately two years, sorting material from existing stockpiles located near the historic low-grade ore dumps.
Construction of the new processing facility is expected to begin in late April, with commissioning of the SBS system scheduled for the end of June and will include a crushing plant, screening circuit and the new sensor-based sorting unit.
Importantly, the technology offers flexible. Once stockpile processing is completed, the sorter can potentially be relocated underground to support future mining operations if required.
Looking Ahead
For NHC, the arrival of the new sorting system marks an exciting milestone as the company continues to modernise operations at Kombat.
By combining innovative technology with responsible resource development, the company is positioning itself to increase production, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact.
As installation progresses over the coming months, NHC will share further updates as this important new capability becomes operational.
Additional Notes
Look at what has just arrived at New Horizon Copper (NHC)
Exciting times.
Part of NHC’s drive for efficiency improvements through business and technology improvements.
A highly significant piece of technology solution has just arrived at NHC’s Kombat mine.
The investment in this world-call technology is aligned to NHC’s ‘sustainable’ and ‘future’ values.
Sustainable
Ensure sustainability of our operations through operational efficiency, safety and effective utilisation of our resources, to ensure a successful future.
Future
To ensure our long-term viability and expansion of our resources, through continued innovation and excellence, which if developed responsibly, will benefit our future generation.
What Steinert’s “Sensor-Based Sorting” Technology will delivery for NHC?
What “Sensor-Based Sorting (SBS)” means
SBS is a dry ore pre-concentration technology where individual rocks are scanned by sensors as they pass along a conveyor. Based on the detected properties, the machine decides whether the particle is ore or waste and ejects the unwanted material.
Uses XRT - X-Ray Transmission sorting (density-based detection).
Particles identified as waste are removed from the belt, leaving higher-grade ore to continue to the plant.
Why NHC is adopting SBS technology at Kombat
Aligned to the ambition to increase production, Phase 1 expansion of Asis West necessitates matching the plant front end with the existing back end i.e. 60 ktpm, however, 1# shaft and 3# shaft only have a 45 ktpm hoist capacity.
Supplementary feed source is required.
There is an existing stockpile of low-grade, mineralised waste and oxide ore from past pit mining operations that can be exploited.
Steinert’s XRT technology will sort this stockpile for oxide ore that can be used in the plant.
In summary: The SBS will be used on surface to sort the existing stockpile to support increasing capacity at the main plant to 60 ktpm.
The SBS will be used on surface for at least the next 2 years, it can then be taken underground if required.
NHC will begin to build the processing plant in late April and the commissioning of the SBS will begin towards the end of June.
Plant includes a crushing and screening plant and then the SBS as well. It will be constructed on surface close to the old low-grade ore stockpiles.
We look forward to celebrating more updates as we install the SBS.
Sensor-based sorting is usually applied after primary crushing as a pre-concentration step to:
- Reject barren rock early
- Increase mill feed grade
- Reduce downstream processing costs, including crushing, grinding, and flotation
- Lower water, energy, and reagent consumption
- Reduce tailings volumes
- XRT - X-Ray Transmission sorting (density-based detection).