Method and apparatus for reducing the size of materials

摘要

A method of reducing the size of material, such as rocks of mined ore, is disclosed. The method comprises comminuting and electro-fracturing rocks of the material and thereby reducing the rock size.

主权项

1. A method of reducing the size of a material which comprises supplying rocks of the material to a comminution apparatus and simultaneously comminuting and electro-fracturing the rocks in the apparatus; wherein comminuting comprises crushing or grinding using crushing rolls having roll surfaces that are electrically conductive and electrically isolating the rolls to facilitate passing electrical current through rocks in the nip via the roll surfaces whereby, when the rocks are in the nip and contact the roll surfaces directly or indirectly, they are in intimate contact with an electrical conducting surface on opposed sides of the rock.