How technology is evolving to improve grinding efficiency

There is no doubt that comminution is the hot topic in mineral processing at the moment. It is by far the greatest energy consumer, so methods are being sought to improve efficiency by new and improved machines and circuits, and better control and optimisation of the circuits.

All these aspects of comminution will be highlighted at Comminution '14 in 3 months time, so it is an opportune time for me to recommend an excellent article published in the CIM Magazine.

Authored by Eavan Moore, the article is a series of interviews with the top names in comminution, many of whom will be presenting work at Comminution '14, including MEI Consultant Malcolm Powell, Steve Morrell, Grant Ballantyne and conference sponsor Metso's Jonathan Allen and Walter Valery.

The paper discusses energy efficiency and circuit improvements, and ends with the question "what will a standard circuit look like in 10 years' time?". Alan Muir, of AngloGold Ashanti asks the provocative question "Can comminution be done away with altogether?" He thinks that this is a question worth posing, and will be addressing it in a keynote lecture at Comminution '14.