Precision Detection. Instant Insights.
OreSense® by Plotlogic was designed for broad applicability across the mining industry. It is not limited to any single commodity or deposit type. Wherever minerals are present, OreSense® can deliver value, supporting the identification, quantification, separation, and processing of materials that matter.
Built on the distinctive physics of minerals, the system provides meaningful insights across multiple levels, from elemental chemistry to complex mineralogy, empowering better decisions from pit to plant.
1. What can OreSense® detect?
OreSense® is engineered for broad applicability across mining operations, not just specific
commodities or deposit types. It can identify, quantify, and differentiate key mineralogical and
geochemical features including:
- Chemistry: Elemental presence inferred from mineral compositions (e.g., Fe, Al₂O₃, P)
- Mineralogy: Identification of key minerals that influence processing or geotechnical
outcomes (e.g., clays, sulfides) - Ore vs Waste Classification: The combination of mineral or chemical characteristics can be
used to categorise materials as Ore or Waste.
The concept of “detectability” is not absolutely defined. The reason for this is that for the same mineral type, different mining operations will have different requirements and thresholds. Whether a given mineral can be detected for a Client use case is rigorously evaluated prior to commercial deployment. it to plant.
Nevertheless there are some general guidelines for the major mineral groups found in mining situations:
Silicates
This is the dominant rock-forming mineral group. It is relatively less important in terms of ore bearing minerals but very important from a processing, mapping and geotechnical perspective.
Sub types which can be relatively well detected are the sheet silicates, including clays and micas. Pyroxenes, amphiboles, garnets and some feldspars can also be detected.
Sulfides
This is an important group for base and precious metal ores. Detectability is quite variable across this group. OreSense® has achieved good results for detection and estimation of chalcopyrite, pyrite and pyrrhotite.
Oxides and Hydroxides
This is an important group for various commodities, including iron ore and some base metals. OreSense® has achieved excellent results for hematite and iron oxide-hydroxides
Carbonates
This group is important in many ore deposits. One application is mapping the alteration related to ore-forming process. The presence of a halo of carbonate minerals for example, is a distinctive feature in many gold deposits.
Another application is to assess the acid buffering potential of ore and waste materials. This is important for long term environmental remediation plans and also for control of ore feed into mineral processing plants. Carbonates as a group have distinctive response and can be detected and estimated by the system.
Sulfates
This group is important as an alteration or weathering feature associated with many primary base and precious metal sulfide deposits. Some sulfates are economically important ore species. In general, sulfate minerals are detectable by OreSense.
Phosphates, halides and Others
These minerals are important in the fertilizer and industrial markets. Some also have individual importance either as ore or contaminant minerals. For example, apatite is a phosphate mineral which carries undesirable phosphorous contamination in iron ore.
OreSense® has been successfully used to map and quantify Phosphorous levels in iron ore mining faces for exactly this reason.
OreSense® adapts to your mineral landscape, delivering what matter, where it matters.
2. Is detectability the same across all sites?
No, and that’s a strength. OreSense® detectability is validated per operation to match your mineral mix and decision needs. Prior to deployment:
- Client-specific minerals and thresholds are evaluated
- Use-case requirements define acceptable tolerance levels
- The system is tuned for the minerals that matter to you
Detectability is defined by your operational needs, not by general assumptions.
Final Thought: Filling a long-standing gap in operating mining practices
OreSense® is a field proven system delivering operational intelligence where it counts. By closing the gap between scanning and decision-making, it helps operations reduce waste, improve yield, and trust the data behind their most critical decisions.
From elemental composition to material classification, OreSense® delivers high-precision, accurate imaging of mining faces — fast, reliable, repeatable, and ready for decisive action.
