Skip to main content
Log in

Semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill liner design and development

  • Invited feature
  • Published:
Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

SAG mill liner development draws primarily on practical experience from SAG milling operations supported by computer-based modeling of charge motion in SAG mills and on established good design practice. Liner design needs to respond to the process aspects of mill liner action that are critical to good SAG mill performance, i.e., the impact of shell liners on the grinding action and of grates and pulp lifters on pulp discharge. In recent years, the trend in large SAG mills has been to use wide-spaced shell lifters with large lifter face angles, primarily to reduce packing and ball/liner damage, and to use larger, hence fewer, mill liner parts to reduce downtime at liner change-outs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cleary P.W., Sinnott, M., and Morrison, R.D., 2006, “Prediction of slurry transport in SAG mills using SPH fluid flow in a dynamic DEM based porous media,” Minerals Engineering, Volume 19, Issue 15, December 2006, pp. 1517–1527.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, R., Fenwick, K., and Royston, D., 2006, “Northparkes mines sag mill operations,” International Conference on Autogenous and Semiautogenous Grinding Technology (SAG2006), 23 to 27 September, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Vol. 1, pp. 104–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart, S., Valery, W., Clements, B., Reed, M., Song, M., and Dunne, R., 2001, “Optimization of the Cadia Hill SAG Mill Circuit,” International Conference on Autogenous and Semiautogenous Grinding Technology (SAG2001), 30 September-3 October, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Vol. 1 pp. 11–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herbst, J.A., and Lichter, J.K., 2006, “Use of multiphasics models for the optimization of comminution operations,” Advances in Comminution, S. Komar Kawatra, ed., SME, pp. 193–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, S.M., Jr., 2006, “Autogenous and semi-autogenous mills 2005 update,” International Conference on Autogenous and Semiautogenous Grinding Technology (SAG2006), 23–27 September, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Vol. 1, pp. 398–425.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mclvor, R., 1983, “Effects of speed and liner configuration on ball mill performance,” Mining Engineering, Vol. 35, No. 6, June, pp. 617–622.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mokken, A.H., 1978, “Progress in run-of-mine: (autogenous) milling as introduced and subsequently developed in the gold mines of the Union Corporation Group,” Proc. 11th Commonwealth Mining and Met. Congress, Hong Kong.

    Google Scholar 

  • Napier-Munn T.J., Morrell, S., Morrison, R.D., and Kojovic, T., 1996, “Mineral comminution circuits their operation and optimization,” JKMRC Monograph Series in Mining and Mineral Processing, Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, Indooroopilly, Old., Vol. 2, Chap. 7.

  • Powell, M.S., and Nurick, G.N., 1996, “A study of charge motion in rotary mills, Part 1 “Extension of the theory,” Minerals Processing, Vol. 9, No. 2., pp 259–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, M., Smit, I., Radziszewski, P., Cleary, P., Rattray, B., Eriksson, K-G., and Schaeffer, L., 2006, “Selection and design of mill liners,” Advances in Comminution, S. Komar Kawatra, ed., SME, pp. 331–376.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordell L.K., Potapov, A.Y., and Herbst, J.A., 2001, “Comminution simulation using discrete element method (DEM) approach—From single particle breakage to full-scale sag mill operation,” International Conference on Autogenous and Semiautogenous Grinding Technology (SAG2001), 30 September-3 October, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Vol. 4, pp. 235–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajamani, R.K. and Mishra, B.K., 2001, “Three dimensional simulation of charge motion in plant size SAG mills,” International Conference on Autogenous and Semiautogenous Grinding Technology (SAG2001), 30 September-3 October, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Vol. 4, pp. 48–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajamani, R.K., Latchireddi, S., and Mishra, B.K., 2003, “Discrete element simulation of ball and rock charge and slurry flow through grate and pulp lifters,” Preprint 03–108, presented at the SME Annual Meeting, 24–26 February, Cincinnati, Ohio.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royston, D., 2000, “Grate and pulp-lifter interaction in SAG/AG mills,” Seventh Mill Operators’ Conference, AusIMM, 12–14 October, Kalgoorlie, WA, Australia, pp. 63–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royston, D., 2001, “Interpretation of charge throw and impact using multiple trajectory models,” International Conference on Autogenous and Semiautogenous Grinding Technology (SAG2001), 30 September-3 October, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Vol. 4, pp. 115–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royston, D., 2004, “ Review of recent experience with large-angle, wide-spaced shell lifter-liners,” Mining Engineering, Vol. 56, No. 12, Dec, pp. 73–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royston, D., 2006, “SAG mill pulp-lifter design, discharge and backf low,” Mining Engineering, Vol. 58, No. 9, Sept., pp. 57–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, J., 2007, “Advanced grinding mill relining—A key operational control (not simply a’must do’maintenance function),” Ninth Mill Operators’ Conference, AusIMM, 19–21 March, Perth, WA, Australia, pp. 113–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D., 2006, “Grinding mill relining technologies for all liners, great and small,” International Conference on Autogenous and Semiautogenous Grinding Technology (SAG2006), 23–27 September, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Vol.3, pp. 104–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taggart, A.F., 1947, Handbook of Mineral Dressing Ores and Industrial Materials, Wiley, Chapter 5, pp. 78–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veloo, C, DelCarlo, B., Bracken, S., King, D., Royston, D., Schick, G., and Kingdon, G., 2006a, “Optimization of the liner design at Kennecott Utah Copper’s copper concentrator,” International Conference on Autogenous and Semiautogenous Grinding Technology (SAG2006), 23–27 September, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Vol. 3, pp. 167–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veloo, C., DelCarlo, B. Bracken, S., King, D., and Royston, D., 2006b, “Holistic approach to SAG mill control,” International Conference on Autogenous and Semiautogenous Grinding Technology (SAG2006), 23–27 September, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Vol. 3, pp. 223–233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weidenbach, M., and Griffin, P., 2007, “Liner optimisation to improve availability of the Ridgeway SAG mill,” Ninth Mill Operators’ Conference, AusIMM, 19–21 March, Perth, WA, Australia, pp125–129, October.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wills, B.A., and Napier-Munn, T., 2006, Wills’ Mineral Processing Technology, Elsevier, Chapter 7, pp. 146–185.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Paper number MMP-07-002. Discussion of this peer-reviewed and approved paper is invited and must be submitted to SME Publications Dept. prior to Feb. 29. 2008.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Royston, D. Semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill liner design and development. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 24, 121–132 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403206

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403206

Key words

Navigation