The Radiometric Bulk Uranium Ore Sorter (RBUOS) was developed to selectively remove from bulk uranium ore below cut off material and thus to increase the uranium ore grade of uranium ore to be processed.
The RBUOS is based on the monitoring of the gamma radiation emitted by uranium ore on a 750 mm or 1,000 mm conveyor belt by a series of lead shielded gamma radiation detectors. When a narrow 'parcel' of ore with a programmed ore grade is detected and confirmed that parcel of ore is removed from the belt by a hydraulics flap that is controlled by the microcontroller.
The operator programs the 'reject' ore grate cutoff into the microcontroller. The RBUOS reports via a radio link to the control room an approximate uranium ore grade of separated ore and its approximate amount in 10, 30 or 60 minute intervals.