Latest revision as of 10:59, 1 July 2024

Abstract

In mineral processing, ore fracture is an essential first step for which the objective is to increase the exposed surface area of the valuable mineral, thereby increasing the likelihood of liberation in subsequent separation stages. This process is well known to be energy-intensive, and increasing scrutiny around sustainable practices has heightened the need to examine the efficiency of current industry approaches. Factors such as mineralogical structure and inherent weakening in the form of micro cracks are known to affect ore breakage mechanisms. However, isolating and investigating individual factors under experimental conditions is challenging and typically impractical. Numerical techniques such as the Bonded Particle Model-Discrete Element Method (BPM-DEM) have been developed as a means of investigating in isolation, the effects of different factors on ore breakage behaviour under closely controlled breakage conditions. In this work, the robustness of the BPM-DEM in predicting fracture characteristics during SILC impact breakage is evaluated. Thereafter, the BPM-DEM is used to analyse the internal mechanical response of a simulated rock specimen under impact loading commensurate with that of the SILC. The method is shown to be an insightful opportunity to study intrinsic and extrinsic rock properties during dynamic loading and breakage

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