Soma Gold (TSXV: SOMA; US-OTC: SMAGF) installed Tomra Mining's advanced sensor-based sorting equipment at its El Bagre operation in Colombia to boost efficiency and extract more value from processed materials.
The Vancouver-based gold producer chose Tomra Mining's COM Tertiary XRT 1200 sorter after successful tests showed the technology could separate valuable ore from waste rock early in the processing chain. The system combines X-ray transmission sensors with artificial intelligence to identify and sort materials by atomic density.
Technology addresses processing challenges
"The test work confirmed that sensor-based sorting can play a key role in how we manage our mineralized material more efficiently," Mark Bren, vice president of operations at Soma Gold, said. "TOMRA demonstrated more consistent and reliable performance results under modeled plant conditions in our test work."
The technology addresses a common challenge in gold mining - managing varying ore grades while maintaining steady plant performance. By removing waste material before energy-intensive crushing and grinding, Soma aims to reduce wear on equipment and cut energy costs.
Tomra's system uses two proprietary AI features called OBTAIN and CONTAIN. OBTAIN applies deep learning to classify individual particles at high speeds, while CONTAIN detects gold mineralization embedded within host rock that traditional methods might miss.
Test results drive implementation decision
Soma tested representative Colombian ore samples at Tomra's facility in Germany before committing to the installation. The trials showed consistent upgrades across different material types and particle sizes, even under challenging conditions.
"What stood out was not only the level of upgrade achieved, but also the consistency of the results across different material types and size fractions," Bren added. "That gave us confidence to move forward with implementation."
The sorter integrates directly into Soma's main processing circuit at El Bagre, where the company processes gold-bearing material from its own mines and third-party sources. The operation requires flexibility to handle varying ore characteristics efficiently.
Operational benefits and cost savings
Fernando Romero from Tomra Mining says the technology helps operators control their processes better while increasing material value. "By rejecting waste early, you contain variability and unnecessary processing load, while obtaining a higher-value material stream," he explained.
Photo: Tomra Mining
The installation also cuts compressed air consumption by up to 70% compared to older ejection systems, reducing operating costs. Local integrator DISMET supported the design and implementation tailored to El Bagre's specific requirements.
Soma Gold focuses on gold exploration, development and production in Colombia's Antioquia region, where it aims to optimize performance across its assets while maintaining operational efficiency.
More information is available at www.SomaGoldCorp.com and www.Tomra.com
April 14, 2026
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