The two air-pulsed jigs, one of which is utilised to process lumpy ore while the other processes fines material, operate on the well-proven, simple principle of employing an underlying air pulse to lift and segregate material according to density.

Although the technology has a proven track record internationally, it is considered new in South Africa. The project has drawn much interest from industry as the jigs are reported to be producing above expectations, with 50,000t of ore processed while ramping up in May.

The overall project involved the installation of an additional crushing, screening and jigging plant with a water reticulation system. Humboldt Wedag SA was the turnkey contractor for the jig plant and, with its associates, supplied a turnkey processing plant incorporating the two jigs, and ancillary equipment including screens, bucket elevators and material handling systems.