Forged SAG Mill Grinding Media – Gold Mining Operation in Australasia Case Study

An Australasian gold mining operation undertook a marked SAG ball wear test in September 2022 comparing Molycop and competitor forged SAG balls.

  • Molycop’s 125mm NG SAG ball delivered an 11.7% lower wear rate than the competitor’s SAG ball.
  • The marked ball wear test demonstrated Molycop’s NG SAG balls are well suited to high‑impact SAG milling environments.
  • Molycop forged SAG grinding media is available globally.

A gold mining operation in Australasia decided to undertake a marked ball wear test in September 2022, comprising SAG balls from two suppliers. Marked 125mm SAG balls were charged into the SAG mill under normal operating conditions.

The marked ball wear test indicated the competitor’s SAG ball wore at a rate of 41.9 µm/h, while Molycop’s 125mm NG SAG balls wore at a rate of 37.5 µm/h.

The most cost‑effective SAG ball was Molycop’s 125mm NG forged SAG ball, outperforming the competitor’s equivalent product by 11.7%.

The test was completed following a total of 306 SAG mill operating hours.


 

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