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Sensor-Based Particle Sorting on Critical Minerals Ore Samples
for Lithium, Scandium and Other Rare Earth Elements
Patrick H.J. Mercier, Olivier Gravel
Corem, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Antonio Di Feo, Shahrokh Shahsavari, Maziar Sauber
Natural Resources Canada/CanmetMINING, Ottawa, ON, Canada
ABSTRACT: Corem has conducted a series of tests funded by Natural Resources Canada to assess sensor-
based sorting potential for different critical minerals using a Comex ® OCXR–1000 system. Three case studies
on lithium, scandium, and rare earth element (REE) ore samples from Canadian deposits are presented. Static
imaging tests were first performed to discern rock differences and formulate calibration algorithms. Dynamic
sorting tests were then conducted to establish optimal sorting strategies for subsequent production tests.
The lithium ore sample showed promising recovery rates, while the scandium ore sample revealed negligible
upgrading. The REE ore sample demonstrated varied preconcentration for different elements and overall
marginal sorting performance.
INTRODUCTION
The Government of Canada, through Natural Resources
Canada (NRCan, 2023), has developed a list of 31 miner-
als deemed critical for the sustainable success of the country
and its allies. With its robust expertise in mining and min-
eral processing, and a strong reputation in environmental,
social, and governance practices, Canada is well-positioned
to become a global leader in supplying clean and advanced
technologies essential for a low-emissions economy. Central
to these efforts is the NRCan’s CanmetMINING research
centre, which focuses on the research and development of
these critical minerals, including rare earth elements (REE),
nickel, cobalt, vanadium, graphite, and lithium. The goal is
to advance Canadian mining projects to production, maxi-
mizing the value and benefits for Canada.
A key review by J.R. Goode and Associates (2016) on
coarse ore preconcentration for REE minerals indicated
that methods such as ore sorting or dense media separation
could offer significant economic advantages in Canadian
REE production scenarios. This latter study noted that ore
sorting on three REE samples showed promising results,
with certain materials responding very positively. The find-
ings suggested an improved rejection of barren rocks from
ores as well as enhanced processing feed grade. Motivated
by these insights, the present study extended the investiga-
tion to include additional critical minerals. Sensor-based
sorting (SBS) was explored as a potential preconcentration
method for minerals such as lithium, scandium, and REE
from other Canadian deposits. The article presents pre-
liminary ore sorting evaluations conducted after Natural
Resources Canada/CanmetMINING mandated Corem to
perform SBS testwork on samples of these critical minerals.
The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of sensor-based
particle sorting in optimizing the extraction of critical
minerals from these ore samples, thereby supporting their
potential application in various industrial processes.
Sensor-Based Particle Sorting on Critical Minerals Ore Samples
for Lithium, Scandium and Other Rare Earth Elements
Patrick H.J. Mercier, Olivier Gravel
Corem, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Antonio Di Feo, Shahrokh Shahsavari, Maziar Sauber
Natural Resources Canada/CanmetMINING, Ottawa, ON, Canada
ABSTRACT: Corem has conducted a series of tests funded by Natural Resources Canada to assess sensor-
based sorting potential for different critical minerals using a Comex ® OCXR–1000 system. Three case studies
on lithium, scandium, and rare earth element (REE) ore samples from Canadian deposits are presented. Static
imaging tests were first performed to discern rock differences and formulate calibration algorithms. Dynamic
sorting tests were then conducted to establish optimal sorting strategies for subsequent production tests.
The lithium ore sample showed promising recovery rates, while the scandium ore sample revealed negligible
upgrading. The REE ore sample demonstrated varied preconcentration for different elements and overall
marginal sorting performance.
INTRODUCTION
The Government of Canada, through Natural Resources
Canada (NRCan, 2023), has developed a list of 31 miner-
als deemed critical for the sustainable success of the country
and its allies. With its robust expertise in mining and min-
eral processing, and a strong reputation in environmental,
social, and governance practices, Canada is well-positioned
to become a global leader in supplying clean and advanced
technologies essential for a low-emissions economy. Central
to these efforts is the NRCan’s CanmetMINING research
centre, which focuses on the research and development of
these critical minerals, including rare earth elements (REE),
nickel, cobalt, vanadium, graphite, and lithium. The goal is
to advance Canadian mining projects to production, maxi-
mizing the value and benefits for Canada.
A key review by J.R. Goode and Associates (2016) on
coarse ore preconcentration for REE minerals indicated
that methods such as ore sorting or dense media separation
could offer significant economic advantages in Canadian
REE production scenarios. This latter study noted that ore
sorting on three REE samples showed promising results,
with certain materials responding very positively. The find-
ings suggested an improved rejection of barren rocks from
ores as well as enhanced processing feed grade. Motivated
by these insights, the present study extended the investiga-
tion to include additional critical minerals. Sensor-based
sorting (SBS) was explored as a potential preconcentration
method for minerals such as lithium, scandium, and REE
from other Canadian deposits. The article presents pre-
liminary ore sorting evaluations conducted after Natural
Resources Canada/CanmetMINING mandated Corem to
perform SBS testwork on samples of these critical minerals.
The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of sensor-based
particle sorting in optimizing the extraction of critical
minerals from these ore samples, thereby supporting their
potential application in various industrial processes.