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This study evaluates sensor-based pre-concentration using XRT technology as an alternative to selective mining for low-grade European copper ores (0.48% Cu), addressing the need for sustainable beneficiation amid declining ore grades and environmental pressures in green mining initiatives. Copper ore samples from Złote Hory mine (Czech Republic) were selectively extracted, mixed (1:1:1 ore 8–16 mm/ore 16–32 mm/waste rock 8–32 mm), and analyzed on Comex’s LSX-MAX laboratory sorter with dual-energy XRT sensors, calibrated for maximum product recovery via density-based classification into High-Density (product) and Low-Density (waste) fractions. Sorting achieved a 1:1 product-to-waste mass split from feed (Cu = 0.5%, 100% mass), yielding pre-concentrate at 0.91% Cu (52.08% mass yield, 95.67% recovery) and waste at 0.04% Cu (47.92% mass, 4.33% loss)—a 1.82x grade upgrade superior to mixed feed and 1.42x superior to selective mining (0.64% Cu at 66.21% yield). Combined approaches promise further optimization; future work will assess downstream grinding/flotation impacts, industrial scaling, and economic/environmental benefits.
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1 Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnologies, Technical University of Košice, Letná 1/9, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia; [email protected] (J.P.); [email protected] (J.K.); [email protected] (M.M.); [email protected] (M.S.), Comex Polska Sp. z o. o., ul. Kamieńskiego 51, 30-644 Kraków, Poland, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
2 Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnologies, Technical University of Košice, Letná 1/9, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia; [email protected] (J.P.); [email protected] (J.K.); [email protected] (M.M.); [email protected] (M.S.)
3 Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland