01 · CHARACTERISE THE ORE
The ore comes first.
Within the planned NMC testwork function, the mine provides a representative ore sample for technical assessment. Before any process or equipment is proposed, the material is characterised to establish what kind of ore we are dealing with.
We look at the ore type, how the gold occurs in the material, whether it appears free or locked in other minerals, and whether physical recovery is likely to be suitable. Where required, the assessment is supported by further laboratory analysis and testwork.
The sample must represent the material that will actually be processed. A poor sample can lead to a poor process decision.
NORSE PRINCIPLEThe ore determines the process — not the other way around.
02 · TEST LIBERATION & RECOVERY
Find out what the ore actually needs.
Once the ore has been characterised, the planned NMC testwork function is intended to test how the gold can best be liberated from the surrounding material and physically recovered.
Different particle-size ranges and physical separation methods may be compared. The aim is to find sufficient liberation without unnecessary processing.
This work also shows whether gravity-based recovery is suitable. If the gold remains locked in minerals that the NORSE physical process cannot treat effectively, that should be identified before equipment is selected.
NORSE PRINCIPLETest the ore first. Select the technology second.
03 · DESIGN THE PROCESS
Build more than one possible route.
Using the characterisation and test results, NORSE develops two or three alternative process-line configurations that appear technically suitable for the material.
The objective is to create a small number of realistic routes that can be compared against the same ore.
NORSE PRINCIPLEDo not assume the first design is the right design.
04 · RUN THE PROCESS
Test the alternatives as complete flows.
The selected process configurations are then tested using the ore so that NORSE can see how the material behaves through the complete process, not only in an individual stage.
The alternatives can be compared for recovery, stability, material handling, operating complexity and overall efficiency.
NORSE PRINCIPLETest the complete process — not just the individual machine.
05 · SELECT THE PROCESS
Let the results decide.
When the alternatives have been tested, the results are compared and NORSE selects the route that provides the most suitable overall solution for that specific ore.
The highest recovery is not automatically the best process if the setup is unnecessarily complex, unstable or inefficient to operate.
NORSE PRINCIPLEThe final process is selected by evidence.
