TOMRA sorting technology stars in lithium project

A year after Pilbara Minerals commissioned the world’s largest lithium ore sorting plant in Australia, TOMRA Mining’s sensor-based sorting technology is delivering measurable value — with clear significance for the Africa market

The technology is now delivering measurable value at the Pilgangoora Operation in Western Australia, contributing to the strongest quarterly production of FY25, significantly reduced costs and enhanced resource utilisation.

As investors get to grips with Africa’s strategic importance in critical minerals, including lithium, the search is on for effective, powerful solutions and innovations that can streamline and boost productivity.

Powered by TOMRA Mining’s advanced sensor-based sorting technology, the Pilgangoora Operation has achieved impressive results, boosting production, reducing costs and unlocking value from previously uneconomical ore.

In its June Quarter FY25 results, Pilbara Minerals reported a 77% increase in production volume and a 10% reduction in unit operating costs (FOB) compared to the previous quarter.

These gains stem from the ramp-up of the P1000 expansion and the integration of TOMRA Mining’s cutting-edge sorting technology.

“The June Quarter marked the strongest performance of the year, clearly demonstrating the impact that TOMRA’s technology can deliver at scale,” said Gavin Rech, area sales and technical manager Australia at TOMRA Mining.

“By unlocking value from lower-grade contact ore previously considered uneconomical, the operation now accesses more lithia units from the pit, enhancing resource utilisation and mine flexibility.”

Commissioned in August 2024 as part of the P680 Expansion Project, the crushing and sorting plant is the largest lithium ore sorting facility in the world, with a capacity of more than 1,000 tonnes per hour.

TOMRA Mining’s sensor-based technology enables early waste rejection, significantly improving lithium recovery and final product quality while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.

The sorting plant successfully addresses a key challenge in lithium mining: managing spodumene ore within barren host rock.

It includes 10 high-precision TOMRA sorters – four TOMRA COM Tertiary XRT for fines, three TOMRA COM XRT 2.0 for mid-sized particles, and three TOMRA PRO Primary Color for coarse-sized particles.

By removing barren material upstream, the plant enhances the efficiency of downstream processes, reduces energy use by 8–15 GWh annually, and ensures consistent product quality.

This success is the result of several years of collaboration between TOMRA Mining, Pilbara Minerals and engineering partner DRA Global.

The project was delivered on time and on budget, following extensive testwork at TOMRA’s Sydney Test Centre that demonstrated the technology’s capability to deliver high lithium recovery and effective waste separation across varied ore domains.

This strategic choice also supports Pilbara Minerals’ long-term goals of cost optimisation and sustainable growth.

The ore sorting facility boosts Pilgangoora’s production capacity and lays the foundation for future expansions under the P2000 project.

As the lithium market evolves, the company is well-positioned to lead through innovation and resilience.

With the P1000 expansion now complete and the P2000 feasibility study underway, TOMRA Mining’s proven technology and industry-leading expertise continue to support Pilbara Minerals’ long-term strategy for scalable, cost-efficient and responsible lithium production.

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