The quiet revolution in ore/rock grinding
In the last 20 years, the large-scale introduction of autogenous grinding methods in ore and rock processing plants has created considerable savings in investment and operating costs for a variety of raw mineral materials. The intrinsic limitations of autogenous processes, however, demand more care in material handling from mine to mill feed. To obtain good results, a thorough knowledge of the deposit and a close cooperation between mining and processing are essential. To circumvent the grinding problems that may arise, a number of flowsheet adaptations have been introduced, considerably expanding the use of autogenous methods. This article discusses the material handling aspects of autogenous grinding development.
Mining and processing of ore and rock is the largest bulk handling operation in the world. This industry forms the backbone of all our industrial activities, from the large-scale building enterprises that change the surface of our globe to the tiniest chips that govern modern people in work and pleasure.