K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel\/Germany, a major salt producer, turned to TOMRA Sorting Mining, Wedel\/Germany, for a solution for the replacement of the existing sorting system at its rock salt mine in Grasleben, in Lower Saxony\/Germany. The two companies have a long-standing research and development relationship, focused on exploring the application of TOMRA\u2019s technologies to salt sorting.<\/p>\n
K+S Minerals and Agriculture operates in a sector that is recording a growing trend. According to the \u201cGlobal salt market size 2019 \u2013 2025\u201d report published by market and consumer data provider Statista, the global salt market was valued at about 28 bn US$ in 2019 and is forecast to exceed 32 bn US$ by 2025. The industry growth is driven by a rise in the demand for salt applied in the chemical manufacturing industry \u2013 especially in chlorine-alkali chemicals production.<\/p>\n
At the Grasleben mine, rock salt is extracted from a high-quality underground deposit that stretches across two federal states. It is processed into a wide range of products, from de-icing salt for winter road services to food-grade table salts and lick stones for livestock and domestic animals. For K+S, consistently achieving certified and guaranteed high purity, compliant with the strict standards of the food industry, is a priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sorting of rock salt is complex and demanding due to its crystalline properties. This leads to strong fluctuations in the appearance of the material\u201d, states Sven Raabe, Technisches B\u00fcro Mechanik, K+S Minerals and Agriculture.<\/p>\n
TOMRA recommended using COLOR sorting technology: \u201cWith a customized set-up of the light sources we can detect the difference in transparency of the different particles, ensuring the high quality of the rock salt,\u201d explains Mathilde Robben, Key Account Manager at TOMRA. The team also advised installing the sorter in the underground mine as requested (Figure 1), so that \u201cafter an initial underground sorting stage, only the coarsely crushed rock salt undergoes further grinding and sieving above ground. Only the valuable product needs to be transported in the shaft, and the final result is high-quality, pure rock salt products in various grain sizes, which are ideal for this application. Furthermore, waste rejects can be backfilled underground, avoiding storage and emissions on the surface.\u201d<\/p>\n
TOMRA conducted a demonstration of the proposed solution at its Demonstration and Test Center in Wedel. Raabe attended the test with colleagues from K+S\u2019s technical team. Seeing the technology in action was decisive: \u201cThe tests were very well prepared,\u201d says Raabe. \u201cThe on-site team quickly developed a feel for our product. The uncomplicated adaptation of the program to the different material qualities also convinced us. An important factor in our purchasing decision was the positive test result achieved with the system, using transmitted light to obtain more efficient separation. This has the added benefit of resource conservation. It is possible to react quickly and individually to changing situations during dismantling. We expect this to be more effective, and the ease of use of the system was also convincing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the positive experience at the Test and Demonstration Center and the results of the test, K+S placed the order for TOMRA\u2019s solution, with installation planned for September 2020. The negotiations were conducted via video conference due to the Covid-19 travel restrictions and lockdown. The order was entered in TOMRA\u2019s production plan and the Factory Acceptance Test was conducted on 23rd September 2020. The sorter was transported to the Grasleben mine, where it was placed in position underground on 30th September 2020 and installation was completed on schedule.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first solution we provide for underground sorting, which raises specific challenges due to the dimensions and weight limitations of the mine shaft,\u201d concludes Robben. \u201cIn this project we also had to contend with the difficulties created by the Covid-19 pandemic. I am very pleased that we have been able to meet K+S\u2019s requirements and deliver on schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n