Vertex Minerals and Gekko Systems have come together to breathe new life into the historic Hill End gold field in New South Wales. Their collaboration has not only revived a second-hand Gekko modular processing plant but also implemented technology that sets a benchmark for sustainable, high-efficiency gold recovery in Australia’s mining sector.
Gekko and Vertex redefine sustainable gold processing
At the core of the Hill End Reward plant is an innovative pre-concentration circuit, combining sensor-based ore sorting with Gekko’s InLine Pressure Jig (IPJ). This system is designed to maximise ore grades and reject waste rock.
“This small but high-tech plant utilises advanced ore sorting and gravity methods to process high-grade gold without the use of chemicals or a large ball mill,” said Roger Jackson, Executive Chairman of Vertex Minerals. With more than 90% of the total gold expected to be recovered through gravity separation, the project exemplifies how modern engineering can align with environmentally conscious practices.
Gekko Systems has successfully refurbished, installed, and commissioned the gold processing plant. The achievement showcases Gekko’s capabilities and commitment to delivering rapid, high-quality outcomes. “I would like to express our gratitude to the efforts made by Gekko on their professionalism in taking a second-hand plant and refurbishing it to an excellent standard within a very short lead time,” Jackson added.
The IPJ is pivotal in enhancing overall recovery. Its flexibility in handling a wide range of particle sizes allows it to adapt to various ore types, increasing efficiency while maintaining low water and power consumption. This positions the IPJ as both a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to other separation technologies, offering a reduced plant footprint and lower capital cost requirements.
Nigel Grigg, General Manager – Global Sales and Solutions at Gekko Systems, emphasised the importance of the collaboration: “Gekko Systems is pleased to have engaged in a productive partnership with the Vertex team. We successfully developed a cost-effective flowsheet within a short lead time, and we look forward to the project’s success.”
The project’s success appears to be imminent. The ore sorter and the Gekko gravity gold plant are fully installed and commissioned, with the first concentrates already being sold. The mine is now well on its way to being developed to access the high-grade hard-rock ore. Gekko’s technical team has been working closely with Vertex’s plant operators to ensure a smooth transition to full commercial production. All plant personnel are onboarded and operational, setting the stage for underground ore to be processed.
As Vertex targets the commencement of underground mining by July 2025, the Hill End, Reward project, with a current resource of 419,000 tonnes at an impressive 16.7g/t for 225,200 ounces of contained gold (May 2025), stands to become a showcase for how legacy mining operations can be revitalised.
The partnership between Gekko Systems and Vertex Minerals is more than a refurbishment story; it is a demonstration of how collaboration, innovative technology, and sustainability can come together to redefine gold processing in Australia.
