Systems and methods for sorting and collecting enhanced metal-bearing ores of a desired size from metal-bearing ores

A system for producing pieces of a product metal-bearing ore by processing pieces of an input metal-bearing ore, the input metal-bearing ore having a metal therein, the product metal-bearing ore having a desired target average percentage by weight of the metal therein, said system comprising:

• a first conveyor configured to receive the input metal-bearing ore;
• a second conveyor configured to carry pieces of the product metal-bearing ore for collection after said system has processed the input metal-bearing ore;
• a first magnetic resonance analyzing unit and an associated controller configured for measuring the percentage by weight of the metal in the input metal-bearing ore on said first conveyor at successive points in time, calculating the average percentage by weight of the metal in the input metal-bearing ore on said first conveyor measured over first predetermined length intervals of time, establishing a cut-off value of the average percentage by weight of the metal in the input metal-bearing ore on said first conveyor for producing the product metal-bearing ore, producing select signals when the average percentage by weight of the metal in the input metal-bearing ore on the first conveyor is equal to or greater than said cut-off value, generating an estimate of the average percentage by weight of the metal in the product metal-bearing ore, and dynamically adjusting said cut-off value up or down to an adjusted value to produce said select signals if the average percentage by weight of the metal in the input metal-bearing ore on said first conveyor is below or above the estimate of the average percentage by weight of the metal in the input metal-hearing ore on said first conveyor;
• a diverter configured for receiving the input metal-bearing ore from said first conveyor and directing the input metal-bearing ore on said first conveyor to a collection path in response to said select signals when the average percent by weight of the metal in the input metal-bearing ore on said first conveyor is equal to or greater than said adjusted value and directing the input metal-bearing ore on said first conveyor to a waste path when the average percent by weight of the metal in the input metal-bearing ore on said first conveyor is less than said adjusted value;
• and
• a second magnetic resonance analyzing unit configured for measuring the percentage by weight of the metal in the product metal-bearing ore on said second conveyor and for providing to said controller signals to fine tune said adjusted value up or down to a tuned adjusted value to produce said select signals if the average percentage by weight of the metal in the product metal-bearing ore on said second conveyor is below or above the desired target average percentage by weight of the metal in the product metal-bearing ore, thereby causing said diverter to direct the input metal-bearing ore on said first conveyor to said collection path when the average percent by weight of the metal in the input metal-bearing ore on said first conveyor is equal to or greater than said tuned adjusted value and to direct of the input metal-bearing ore on said first conveyor to said waste path when the average percent by weight of the metal in the input metal-bearing ore on said first conveyor is less than said tuned adjusted value.