Case Study: Investigating the effects of high chrome grinding media on pulp chemistry and flotation
Customer: Rosh Pinah mine (Namibia)
Background
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Solution
In mid-2010, laboratory tests provided compelling evidence for the advantages of transitioning from eclipsoid to high chrome grinding media. This transition not only led to a shift towards oxidizing Eh values and an increase in dissolved oxygen but also yielded a significant reduction in EDTA extractable iron. The implementation of high chrome media improved lead and zinc recoveries as well as flotation kinetics. Building upon these findings, a plant trial utilising Magotteaux mining grinding media, One Cast High Chrome, was conducted in early 2011, focusing on its implementation in the ball mill.
Results
The results showed that grinding with high chrome grinding media:
- Reduced the wear rate by 63%
- Changed the pulp chemistry by increasing the Mill D/C Eh by 75 mV and reducing the oxygen demand and EDTA extractable iron by half.
- Increased lead concentrate grades and recoveries by 3.6% and 4.0%, respectively with no change in Zn or Ag recoveries.
+60% Reduction
in wear with Magotteaux mining grinding media One cast high chrome
