Novo Resources Corp. announced that it has received encouraging results from initial testing of mechanical rock sorting of gold-bearing conglomerate from its Karratha gold project. The potential viability of mechanical rock sorting was tested by subjecting four bulk samples to crushing, screening, and sorting using a TOMRA mechanical rock sorter. Sorted rock concentrates of very small volume were generated returning high gold contents. Assays of the sorted waste material, undersize (-6 mm) fraction and oversize fraction (+63 mm) have returned allowing for further evaluation of this technique. Samples KX234 and KX237 generated 81.1% and 89.4% recovery of gold, respectively, from the 6-63 mm fraction that was sorted. These recoveries are considered very encouraging considering these tests are first pass and un-optimized. Interestingly, the best recovery is from the lowest grade sample, KX237. Although samples KX235 and KX236 generated lower recoveries, the fine (-6 mm) unsorted fraction of each of these samples displays higher grade than the respective calculated head grade. Novo believes the well-oxidized, crumbly nature of the rock comprising these bulk samples may have played a role in lower recoveries. Gold particles appear to have preferentially reported to the fines rather than remain encapsulated in rock that was sorted. Such oxidation persists to about 1-2 m below surface at Karratha. Below this level, Novo believes the targeted conglomerate will be harder and less crumbly. Sorter tailings commonly display gravity recoveries of gold of over 50% indicating significant coarse gold remains in this material. Novo believes crushing to somewhat finer size, perhaps 50 mm, may improve sorter recoveries because X-rays will more readily penetrate smaller rock particles making it easier for the mechanical sorter to identify gold particles. Although testing was conducted on rock particles down to 6 mm size, further work is needed to determine the lowest range of particle size that can effectively be sorted. Further crush testing is also required in order to determine means of minimizing generation of fines and maximizing the fraction of material that can be sorted. Gravity recoveries of gold from the undersize (-6 mm) fraction of the four bulk samples tested during this study range between 44%-64%. This data suggests gravity recovery of gold from unsorted fines may be a viable treatment option. Novo considers mechanical sorting a potentially low cost means of concentrating gold that is particularly suitable for the nuggety conglomerates Novo is exploring in the Pilbara. Novo is currently undertaking a thorough review of recent mechanical sorting test data to determine means of optimizing crushing and sorting and what further testing is needed.