Vancouver-based Novo Resources has begun mechanical sorter trials at the Nullagine gold project in Western Australia.

In the past few weeks, Novo has mobilised, constructed, and commissioned the infrastructure adjacent to Novo's Golden Eagle processing plant at the gold project. Novo has delivered 50 samples from its Comet Well, Purdy's Reward, Egina, and Talga Talga projects for crushing and screening.

Novo will now turn its attention to turning the sorter to various geological types and sizes and train operators, then process samples. Novo then plans to establish assay protocols for sorter concentrate ‘accepts' and ‘rejects'.

Chrysos PhotonAssay at the Perth-based Intertek laboratory will process smaller concentrate masses, while larger masses will be sent to the Acacia reactor and electrowinning apparatus in the gold room at the Nullagine gold project.

Phase 3 of the testwork program will focus on the Comet Well project next year to test up to 20,000 tonnes of bulk samples.

The sorter includes feed and product transfer conveyors, which enables the sorter to produce gold-bearing concentrates in a single pass.

The mechanical sensor-based sorting uses X-ray technology, 3D colour laser, and metal induction to identify gold in bulk material. A high-pressure air jet then sends the particles into a collection system, which then produces concentrate for additional downstream processing.

Novo aims to complete Phase 2 before May 2022. Phase 3 is slated to begin in May 2022, pending approval of permits, and will see Novo move the sorter to the Comet Well deposit for bulk testwork.