In 2002 the Argyle Diamond Mine upgraded the process plant's recrush circuit to include a High Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR), or High Pressure Rolls Crushers (HPRC) as they are termed in the diamond industry. HPGR have generated considerable interest over the last decade, though there are still technical/processing unknowns to its effectiveness as a primary diamond ore crusher._x000D_
The upgrade of the Recrush circuit at Argyle Diamonds has gone a long way to answering some of the key questions, and thus it has reduced the unknowns to a level more acceptable to the industry._x000D_
This paper focuses on the results from the HPRC at Argyle, in particular the performance of the studded wear surfaces, comparison of energy efficiency against traditional quaternary cone crushers and the resultant increased liberation. Issues that have arisen, including edge wear of the studded surfaces, will be discussed and the steps taken to reduce this issue are presented._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:Gerrard, M, Costello, B and Morley, C, 2004. Operational experiences and performance assessment of HPGR technology at Argyle Diamond Mine, in Proceedings New Leaders' 2005, pp 63-74 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).