Grinding circuits lie at the heart of the minerals processing flowsheet. And at the heart of the grinding circuit are SAG mills. These mills are generally well understood from an operational, maintenance, and consumables standpoint, with operating plants able to achieve high equipment availability and productivity.
But for all their benefits, these mills present challenges when it comes to energy consumption, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions. As mining companies increasingly look to balance economics with environmental impact, it's worth asking: what is the future for SAG mills?
A group of leading experts weigh in.