A METHOD OF GRINDING A MINERAL-CONTAINING ORE

摘要

A method of grinding a mineral-containing ore, which includes grinding the mineral-containing ore in a primary milling process and thereafter fine grinding the mineral-containing ore in a secondary ball-mill. A composite grinding medium comprising a mixture of steel balls and pebbles is used in the secondary ball-mill. The pebbles have an average size which is relatively smaller than the average size of the balls. The grinding medium includes an optimum mixture of approximately 25% pebbles and 75% steel balls by volume. The pebbles have a hardness which is substantially equivalent to or relatively harder than the hardness of the mineral-containing ore. The use of the composite grinding medium including the optimum mixture of steel balls and pebbles results in significant savings in energy consumption together with a reduction in ball consumption.