How to select crushing and milling equipment.

• Position: THE "HOW TO GUIDE"

To the average eye, there appears to be little difference between the numerous rocks and minerals around Northern Ontario, but when it comes to choosing the right milling and crushing equipment, all rocks are not created equal.

The types of rock you are working with will have an impact on the type of equipment you need to get the job done. Before buying equipment, you need to take a long look at the type of rock and ask the following questions: How hard is the material? How abrasive is the stone? How compressed is the material? What size is the material you are crushing?

Before selecting any machinery, you need to find out if you are working with a hard and abrasive substance, like copper ores, or a softer stone, like a limestone-type material.

You need to ensure the appropriate crusher will be used to handle the type of material you are crushing. To do this, you should determine if you need a single- or double-toggle crusher.

Even though the majority of single toggle crushers are well-built, due to the motion of the machine, they should be reserved for use with softer and non-abrasive materials. Hard rocks and ores, those with 18,000 to 20,000 PSI, are more economically crushed in double-toggle crushers.

You should also give consideration to how many tonnes of rock a day you expect to crush in the machine, and whether or not there will be a second, or even a third step in the process before the rock reaches its final size. A...