Study on the Selection of Comminution Circuits for a Magnetite Ore in Eastern Hebei, China

Standard drop weight, SMC, and Bond ball work index tests have been conducted to investigate the comminution circuit of a magnetite ore located in Eastern Hebei, China. In addition, simulations based on JKSimMet and Morrell models have been performed to compare the specific energy consumption of various comminution circuits. According to the desired capacity and the ore communition characteristics observed, a simulation was conducted to determine the size and driving power of the grinding mills. The SMC and Bond ball work index experiments as well as the Morrell model indicated that the order of the specific energy consumption of comminution was “Jaw crusher + HPGR mill + ball mill” < “Jaw crusher + ball mill”< “SAG mill + ball mill”.