3710 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
operational personnel. This spatial consideration is impera-
tive to ensure peak grinding circuit availability. As such, a
mill layout evaluation was conducted to compare overall
grinding mill footprint with regards to width when a con-
stant clearance is considered between mills. Figure 9 depicts
the grinding mill layout comparison between grinding line
options. After review, it was determined the two (2) geared
mills resulted in a 14% smaller layout when comparing
overall width to the three (3) gear-driven mills. Both gear-
less and gearless mills can be installed indoors and out-
doors, but this optimization of overall grinding area width
is increasingly more impactful for indoor installations if
applicable where building size can be greatly decreased,
resulting in significant capital cost savings.
SUSTAINABILITY EVALUATION
Mechanical Mill Consumables
When comparing the three (3) smaller 27ft diameter ball
mills to the two (2) larger 30ft diameter ball mills, there
are very minimal differences in the carbon footprint and
sustainability effects during operation. Overall weights
attributed to steel liners within the mills, as well as operat-
ing grinding media charge weights, are nearly identical. As
such, when equal liner and media wear rates are evaluated,
the results are the same. Therefore, this aspect has not been
highlighted or investigated in further detail.
Figure 9. Layout Comparison
operational personnel. This spatial consideration is impera-
tive to ensure peak grinding circuit availability. As such, a
mill layout evaluation was conducted to compare overall
grinding mill footprint with regards to width when a con-
stant clearance is considered between mills. Figure 9 depicts
the grinding mill layout comparison between grinding line
options. After review, it was determined the two (2) geared
mills resulted in a 14% smaller layout when comparing
overall width to the three (3) gear-driven mills. Both gear-
less and gearless mills can be installed indoors and out-
doors, but this optimization of overall grinding area width
is increasingly more impactful for indoor installations if
applicable where building size can be greatly decreased,
resulting in significant capital cost savings.
SUSTAINABILITY EVALUATION
Mechanical Mill Consumables
When comparing the three (3) smaller 27ft diameter ball
mills to the two (2) larger 30ft diameter ball mills, there
are very minimal differences in the carbon footprint and
sustainability effects during operation. Overall weights
attributed to steel liners within the mills, as well as operat-
ing grinding media charge weights, are nearly identical. As
such, when equal liner and media wear rates are evaluated,
the results are the same. Therefore, this aspect has not been
highlighted or investigated in further detail.
Figure 9. Layout Comparison