A mill for a diamond mine is a crucial processing facility where raw ore extracted from the mine is crushed, ground, and processed to recover diamonds. The milling process involves several stages to separate diamonds from the surrounding rock and other minerals. Below is an overview of key components and processes in a diamond mill:
1. Crushing & Grinding
– Primary Crushing: Large chunks of ore are reduced using jaw or gyratory crushers.
– Secondary & Tertiary Crushing: Further size reduction via cone crushers or high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGR).
– Milling: Ball mills or rod mills grind the ore into fine particles to liberate diamonds.
2. Scrubbing & Washing
– Removes clay and soft materials that could interfere with diamond recovery.
– Uses trommels, scrubbers, or log washers.
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3. Dense Media Separation (DMS)
– A widely used method where crushed ore is mixed with a dense liquid (ferrosilicon slurry).
– Heavier materials (including diamonds) sink, while lighter waste floats and is discarded.
4. X-ray Sorting & Recovery
– X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) or X-ray Transmission (XRT): Detects diamonds based on their luminescence under X-rays.
– Automated sorters eject diamond-bearing material for further processing.
5. Grease Table Recovery
– Diamonds stick to grease-coated surfaces while other minerals wash away.
– Used as a final recovery step for high-value stones.
6. Final Sorting & Quality Control
– Hand sorting by experts to separate diamonds by size, shape, and quality.
– Advanced scanning technologies may also be used.
7. Tailings Management
– Waste rock (tailings) is stored in engineered facilities to prevent environmental contamination.
– Water recycling systems minimize resource wastage.
Key Considerations for Diamond Mills:
– Energy Efficiency: High energy consumption in crushing/grinding requires optimization.
– Water Usage: Diamond processing often requires significant water; recycling is essential.
– Security: Strict measures to prevent theft due to high diamond value.
– Environmental Compliance: Proper tailings disposal and dust control are critical.
Would you like details on specific mill designs or technologies used in diamond processing?