The new lithium sorting plant is located at the Pilgangoora project in Western Australia. The site is described as the "world's largest, independent hard-rock lithium mine," producing a spodumene and tantalite concentrate.

"This new facility to be constructed at our Pilgangoora project will be the world's largest lithium mineral ore sorting plant," said Dale Henderson, managing director and chief executive of Pilbara Minerals.

Henderson added: "TOMRA's experience in large global sorting installations, innovative technology, and ability to provide local support were significant factors in our decision to work with them. From the start, the TOMRA team has been working side by side with us and our engineering partner DRA Global to deliver this important project."

One of the issues TOMRA will address at Pilgangoora is processing spodumene feed ore contaminated with barren host rock. To meet Pilbara's needs, TOMRA Mining will provide ore sorting solutions utilising high sensor resolution and ejection accuracy.

"TOMRA has 50 years' experience in sensor-based sorting technologies and has designed and built 90% of the world's large-scale mining sorting plants with a capacity above 300t/h," the statement read.

Primero Group has been selected to construct the plant and has commenced the initial earthworks. Completion is slated for later this year.