Prediction of rock properties using grinding characteristics of ball mill

Knowledge of physico-mechanical properties of rocks is essential starting from the preliminary exploration to processing in mining projects. The strength properties of rocks considered necessary for mine planning and design, selection of equipment, use of suitable processing technique, etc. Sophisticated laboratory facilities are required to determine various properties of rocks using some international standards like ISRM, ASTM, etc., which is time consuming and costly affair. In this study, an attempt is to predict some of the rock properties like density, tensile strength using grinding characteristics of ball mill. Laboratory experiments conducted on samples of granite, limestone, slate and BHQ varying different parameters like quantity of feed, charge ratio, size of balls, grinding time, etc., at constant RPM of ball mill. Grinding characteristic curves used to obtain 25%, 50%, 80% cumulative passing sieve sizes. In addition, laboratory experiments carried out to find physico-mechanical properties like density, tensile strength, Protodyakonav's strength index, rebound hardness number. Regression analysis carried out with the data obtained from experiments.