A S.H.O.T. at smarter gold processing

Jenike & Johanson's selective heat ore treatment - S.H.O.T. - is reshaping gold processing, using microwave technology to pre-crack ore, boost recovery and cut energy use.

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Gold producers, like so many other miners, have always searched for ways to reduce processing costs while improving recovery rates. One of the biggest challenges lies in the crushing and grinding stages of mineral processing, where large amounts of energy are required to break down ore and liberate valuable minerals. And that challenge is becoming even more significant as the global gold sector enters one of its strongest cycles in decades.

Australia's gold industry generated around $71 billion in 2025, buoyed by record prices and strong production across the country.

High prices have fuelled renewed investment in exploration and mine development, with companies expanding operations and pushing to bring new ounces online.

The rally has also encouraged miners to process lower-grade ore and more complex deposits, placing additional pressure on processing plants to operate more efficiently.

For many operations, this means extracting more gold from every tonne of ore while keeping energy consumption under control.

Bulk material engineering firm Jenike & Johanson believes it may have found a solution through a microwave-based technology designed to weaken ore before it enters the grinding circuit.