Ore comminution process
OwnerJames Anthony Jude Tumilty, Vilim Ser +2inventors
InventorsJames Anthony Jude Tumilty, Vilim Ser, Carlos Mauricio Feldman, Jan Tjeerd Smit
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Abstract
The invention provides a method and installation for processing heterogeneous value bearing material by pressure comminution. The material is compressed in a bed of particles, at low pressures and at low bulk material densities, and preferably no more than is necessary to liberate the desired values, thereby to minimise the formation of fines. The compressive bed pressure applied to the material does not exceed 300 MPa, and the process is preferably operated in an open circuit mode. Surprisingly, these measures lead to enhanced liberation of values compared with conventional comminution techniques.
Claims22
A method of processing heterogeneous value bearing material by pressure comminution, the method comprising compressing the value bearing material in a bed of particles, at low pressures and at low bulk material densities, thereby to liberate the value preferentially and to minimise size reduction of the material beyond the degree necessary for value liberation.
An installation for processing heterogeneous value bearing material by pressure communication comprising:
- at least a first crusher arranged to subject the value bearing material to one or more compression cycles in a bed of particles;
- control means for adjusting the operation of the crusher so that the value bearing material is subjected to bed pressures not exceeding 300 MPa, in order to produce desired proportions of a value-enriched fine fraction and a value-depleted coarse fraction, thereby to liberate said value preferentially while minimising size reduction of the material beyond the degree necessary for value liberation;
- and
- at least first separating means for separating the fine fraction from the coarse fraction of the crushed material.
A method of processing heterogeneous value bearing material substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the examples.
An installation for processing heterogeneous value bearing material substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.