Crushing / Crushers

Comminution (size reduction) in mining and mineral processing is necessary to unlock or liberate minerals from the waste rock (gangue). Comminution of material begins at the mining stage using explosives, excavators or scrapers to generate materials that are easily transportable by haul trucks or conveyors. Crushing is the second step in the comminution of mined materials and is carried out to produce particles of a given size distribution and particle shape.

Crushers utilize one or more methods to achieve particle size reduction/shape including compression, impact, abrasion and attrition. Choosing a crusher type is dependent on the material type and properties, amount of size reduction required, particle shape, particle distribution, throughput, maintenance, energy requirements and overall processing cost per ton. Crushers are often categorized as primary, secondary or tertiary crushing, with particle size getting progressively smaller. Common types of crushers include gyratory crushers, jaw crushers, cone crushers, vertical shaft impact crushers, horizontal shaft impact crushers, hammer mill crushers and roller crushers. Crushers come in all sizes, from laboratory use and small scale pilot plants to full production continuously run equipment.

FLSmidth Minerals, Metso Minerals, Sandvik Mining and Construction, Retsch Inc. images.