# Comparative Analysis of Selective Mining and XRT Sensor-Based Sorting for Copper Ore Pre-Concentration: Preliminary Studies Assessing Method Potential

## TL;DR

This paper compares XRT sensor sorting and selective mining for upgrading low-grade copper ores, showing XRT achieves better copper concentration and recovery.

## Contribution

The study introduces XRT sensor-based sorting as a more effective pre-concentration method for low-grade copper ores compared to selective mining.

## Key findings

- XRT sorting achieved a 1.82x grade upgrade in copper concentration compared to mixed feed.
- XRT sorting outperformed selective mining by 1.42x in copper recovery.
- The pre-concentrate reached 0.91% Cu with 95.67% recovery and 52.08% mass yield.

## Abstract

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.