Even 30 years ago pilot testing would still have most often played the leading role in comminution circuit design, even though mathematical models that describe comminution machine behaviour date back to the 1800s. Nowadays piloting is quite rare, instead modelling in its various forms is relied on in the choice and sizing of most new comminution circuits. This paper traces the history of comminution circuit modelling and describes a number of modelling approaches that are currently available to the comminution circuit designer such as so-called power-based and simulation modelling. The pros and cons of each are discussed as well as the accuracy that can be expected from their use in sizing comminution equipment using data that compare their predictions with values that have been measured from full scale operating plants.
CITATION:Morrell, S, 2019. Modelling approaches and their application in comminution circuit design, in Proceedings World Gold 2019, pp 1432 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).