TOMRA Mining has confirmed that its work connected to the Nalunaq gold mine remains ongoing under a confidentiality agreement. The company also says it has supplied or proposed sorting equipment, or discussed potential applications, in connection with “a few” other Greenland mineral projects covered by nondisclosure agreements (NDAs).
Oxana Penning, TOMRA’s global marketing manager for mining, told GreenlandEnergy.com in written responses that Greenland has significant potential as a growth market for the company’s sensor-based ore sorting technologies.
TOMRA says Nalunaq work remains ongoing
AEX Gold, now Amaroq Minerals, first announced test work with TOMRA at the Nalunaq gold project in 2020.
Approximately 500 kilograms of mineralized material from Nalunaq’s historical underground workings were tested at TOMRA’s facility in Wedel, Germany. Laser sorting recovered between 90.2 and 99.4 percent of the gold while rejecting between 58 and 62 percent of the incoming material as waste.
AEX said at the time that the tests demonstrated Nalunaq material was highly suitable for ore sorting and that the technology could potentially reduce processing costs and increase mill throughput. The company planned a second campaign for 2021 to optimize the detection parameters of its laser and X-ray transmission sorters and improve confidence in gold recovery. Read the 2020 results
Asked whether TOMRA had undertaken any subsequent testing, technical studies or commercial discussions concerning Nalunaq, Penning replied:
“The project is ongoing, but with an NDA in place.”
Penning did not disclose whether the current activity concerns additional testing, technical studies, equipment proposals or commercial negotiations.
Amaroq reported that Nalunaq entered production in late 2024. The company reported gold production of 6,350 ounces during its 2025 trial mining phase and has issued 2026 guidance of between 25,000 and 35,000 ounces. Read about Amaroq’s Nalunaq project
Additional Greenland projects under confidentiality agreements
Penning confirmed that TOMRA’s activity in Greenland extends beyond Nalunaq. She said the company has supplied or proposed sorting equipment, or discussed possible applications, for “a few” additional projects, all covered by NDAs.
Separately, Penning identified historical TOMRA test work involving the Black Angel zinc, lead and silver mine in West Greenland. She said material from Black Angel was successfully tested by TOMRA in 2009.
Amaroq acquired the property in 2025 and is examining its redevelopment as part of a new West Greenland mining hub.
Black Angel operated between 1973 and 1990 and produced approximately 11.2 million tonnes of ore grading 12.6 percent zinc, 4.1 percent lead and 29 grams of silver per tonne. Amaroq says it is targeting first production in 2028. Read about Amaroq’s Black Angel plans
Gold, zinc, molybdenum and anorthosite opportunities
Penning said TOMRA’s sorting technologies can be applied across a broad range of commodities found in Greenland, including gold, silver, lead, zinc, tin, rubies, diamonds, nickel, molybdenum and anorthosite.
For gold contained in quartz veins, TOMRA’s laser technology can identify the quartz-bearing rock that acts as a tracer for the gold. For gold associated with sulfides such as chalcopyrite or arsenopyrite, the company generally uses X-ray transmission technology.
Penning said TOMRA’s newer XRT systems use artificial intelligence to improve particle detection and classification. OBTAIN technology uses deep learning to detect and classify individual particles even when they are clustered, while CONTAIN technology analyzes X-ray images to classify rocks according to the likelihood of subsurface mineral inclusions.
These tools can support the separation of mineralized rock from waste before downstream processing.
Removing barren material early can reduce the amount of rock sent through crushing, milling and other downstream processes. This may lower energy and water consumption while increasing the grade of material entering a processing plant.
Greenland’s remote operating challenges
Penning pointed to complex logistics involving sea freight, helicopters and other specialized transport. Long lead times, short summer installation windows, extreme weather and limited local infrastructure can complicate the delivery and maintenance of sorting equipment.
“Almost everything required for the operation, from equipment and spare parts to tools and consumables, must be transported to the mine site, making logistics a critical factor in project execution and long-term support,” Penning said.
Greenland as a growth market
Asked whether TOMRA regarded Greenland as a potentially important growth market as Greenland’s gold, rare earth, molybdenum, zinc and other critical mineral projects advance, Penning answered:
“Absolutely yes, although we would exclude rare earth oxides (REOs), as their suitability depends very much on the specific deposit characteristics and project economics. More broadly, Greenland has significant potential as a growth market for TOMRA’s technologies as exploration and development activities continue to advance across a range of commodities, including gold, silver, zinc, lead, tin, nickel, molybdenum, diamonds, and industrial minerals.”
Penning’s qualification concerned rare earth oxides specifically. Any potential application would depend on the characteristics of the deposit and the economics of the project.
TOMRA’s responses indicate that its Greenland work extends beyond the Nalunaq tests disclosed in 2020. The company says a few additional projects are covered by NDAs, while Penning identified successful 2009 testing of material from Black Angel. The identities of the other projects and the stage of TOMRA’s involvement in each remain undisclosed.
GreenlandEnergy.com provides independent analysis of Greenland’s energy landscape, critical minerals development, and Arctic geopolitics. For corrections or feedback: press@greenlandenergy.com
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