Equipment selection guide
Orebodies differ in mineralogy, hardness, and liberation size. Choosing from a catalogue without understanding these factors leads to wrong equipment, costly downtime, and poor performance. Metallurgical testwork on your ore sample provides the data that narrows thousands of equipment options to the few suited to your specific process needs. Only then can you select with confidence.
| Category | Stage | Leading selection variables |
|---|---|---|
| Crushing Equipment | Comminution | Maximum run-of-mine feed size; Ore hardness and abrasiveness; Moisture and clay content; Target closed-side setting |
| Screening Equipment | Comminution | Aperture size; Feed size distribution; Throughput; Required screening efficiency |
| Grinding Equipment | Comminution | Bond work index or measured grinding energy; Feed and product particle size; Pulp density; Throughput |
| Classification Equipment | Comminution | Target cut size; Feed pressure and density; Slurry specific gravity; Throughput |
| Agitation Equipment | Conditioning | Tank volume and residence time; Pulp density and particle size; Slurry viscosity; Impeller type |
| Flotation Equipment | Separation | Ore floatability; Particle size; Pulp density; Cell volume |
| Gravity Separation Equipment | Separation | Density difference between minerals; Liberation size; Size range treated; Feed density |
| Magnetic Separation Equipment | Separation | Specific magnetic susceptibility of the mineral; Field strength and gradient; Particle size; Dry or wet circuit |
| Gold Extraction Equipment | Separation | Circuit type (CIP, CIL or zinc precipitation); Slurry throughput; Gold grade; Leaching residence time |
| Non-Metallic Mineral Processing Equipment | Separation | Surface contamination of the mineral; Clay content; Particle size; Scrubbing intensity |
| Thickening Equipment | Dewatering | Solids flux; Settling testwork; Feed density; Target underflow density |
| Filtration Equipment | Dewatering | Particle size; Filterability testwork; Feed density; Target cake moisture |
| Drying and Pelletizing Equipment | Dewatering | Initial and target moisture; Heat sensitivity of the material; Heat source; Residence time |
| Feeding Equipment | Material Handling | Maximum lump size; Bulk density; Moisture and stickiness; Feed capacity |
| Conveying Equipment | Material Handling | Conveying capacity; Distance and lift; Lump size and material temperature; Inclination angle |
| Steel Silos | Material Handling | Effective volume; Bulk density of the stored material; Flowability; Silo wall pressure |
| Slurry Pumps and Valves | Material Handling | Design flow and head; Slurry density and particle size; Abrasiveness and corrosiveness; Net positive suction head |
| Dust Collection Equipment | Material Handling | Air volume; Inlet dust concentration; Particle size; Temperature and humidity |
| Mine Automation and Control Systems | Control | Measuring range and accuracy; Sampling representativeness; Response time; Communication protocol |
What we need from you to size equipment
The testwork sequence begins with sample preparation and detailed mineralogical analysis to identify element composition, mineral phases, and liberation size. Exploratory tests then screen viable process routes. Condition tests follow, optimising grind, reagents, and pulp density. Locked-cycle testing validates performance before continuous pilot trials.
To begin an equipment selection study, send a representative ore sample along with target throughput, site conditions, and any known process constraints. The laboratory will design a test programme that answers your specific questions, not a generic one.
Catalogue figures are standard-model data. Capacity, cut size, cake moisture and recovery all shift with ore properties, feed gradation and circuit conditions. No number on this site is a guaranteed performance value for your ore. Sizing is confirmed by testwork, flowsheet calculation and a written confirmation from the manufacturer.
Selection articles
- Apron Feeder Selection: Duty, Sizing and Wear
How to choose an apron feeder: pan width vs lump size, speed range, chain and drive duty, skirt and liner wear, and the variables you must supply. - Ball Mill Liner Selection and Wear
Ball mill liner selection affects grinding efficiency and downtime. Learn how lifter profile controls charge motion; compare rubber, steel, and composites. - Dewatering Screens: Duty, Sizing and Limits
How dewatering screens work, the moisture they can reach, particle size limits, and sizing variables for sand dewatering and mineral processing. - Flotation Cell Types and How to Pick One
Mechanical, column, and pneumatic flotation cells compared by duty, air supply, cell volume, and circuit position. Xinhai selection guidance. - Grinding Media: Size, Charge and Consumption
How to select grinding media size and ball charge for your mill, and what drives media consumption in ore grinding circuits. Includes forged vs cast media. - Ore Sorting: Pre-concentration Before the Mill
Ore sorting removes barren rock before grinding, lifting mill throughput and cutting energy use. Learn XRT, optical, NIR, and EM sensors plus amenability testwork. - Paste Thickener: How It Differs and When to Use It
Learn how a paste thickener differs from conventional, high-rate, and high-compression units. Compare density, torque, flocculant dosing, and water recovery.
Send the duty, get a sized proposal
Tell us the ore, the throughput and the target product. Our process engineers come back with a flowsheet position, a model shortlist and the testwork we would need to confirm it.