Copper Ore Grinding Mill in Mineral Pre-processing Applications
In the mineral processing circuit for copper ores, the grinding mill is a fundamental unit operation in the pre-processing stage, situated after primary crushing and before the concentration process (flotation). Its performance directly governs the liberation degree of copper-bearing minerals (like chalcopyrite, bornite) from the gangue, thereby determining recovery rates and concentrate grade.
Application in the Pre-processing Circuit:
Run-of-mine copper ore is first crushed to a size suitable for mill feed (typically below 20-25mm). The primary grinding stage, usually performed in large Semi-Autogenous Grinding (SAG) mills or Autogenous (AG) mills, reduces the ore from crusher product size (F80 ~150mm) down to a coarse grind (F80 ~1-3mm).
These mills use a combination of the ore itself as grinding media (autogenous) and a small charge of steel balls. They are energy-intensive but effective for handling variable and hard ores.
These mills use a combination of the ore itself as grinding media (autogenous) and a small charge of steel balls. They are energy-intensive but effective for handling variable and hard ores.
