Eficiência na britagem começa na detonação da rocha

Crushing efficiency starts with rock detonation

Crushing efficiency in mining begins with the detonation of the rock, as this detonation must generate material that is compatible with the size of the primary crusher mouth.

Thus, the process that begins with the removal of rocks from the mine, also called matacos, becomes more efficient when the material arrives to be crushed at the quarry or mining facility.

The Máquinas Furlan team explains the details of this relationship. They also reveal the losses that a mining company may suffer due to the breakdown of equipment and parts due to stones that are not designed for this purpose.

You will also learn the importance of choosing a supplier with experience in the market, such as Furlan.

The benefits of strategic rock blasting

Rock blasting is a crucial step in the mining industry, whether it generates end products for industry, agribusiness or aggregates for construction. In general, strategic blasting results in higher productivity, lower cost per crushed ton and less wear and tear on equipment.

One of the stages of this work involves an analysis of the characteristics of the rock, in terms of factors such as hardness and abrasiveness, among others, in order to make the best use of the benches where the detonations will be carried out.

Optimal fragmentation facilitates primary crushing, reducing energy consumption and crusher wear while optimizing material flow. Good blasting generates fewer boulders and reduces the need for additional operations to adapt the rock to the size of the primary crusher discharge port.

We have a video that shows this crusher's work in an assertive way. Watch it.

It is also worth highlighting the importance of detonation taking place safely for people, an item that is increasingly improved in mining companies.

Rock blasting and primary crusher mouth size

Quarries usually hire a company that specializes in blasting. This company analyzes the characteristics of the existing rock and then defines a blasting mesh. In general, the larger the mesh opening, the more likely it is to absorb the coarser grain size curve of the plant's feed, and the smaller the mesh, the finer the curve.

The analyses also take into account that there are more broken rocks, and others that are deeper.

However, there are differences in rocks coming from the same bush. Therefore, some of them may have problems entering the crusher.

There are quarries that separate larger rocks immediately after blasting. Before being crushed, these fragments undergo a second dismantling, generally done with a drop ball or a breaker hammer. This makes them suitable for entering the crusher without causing damage or unexpected downtime.

This is the ideal scenario. However, the mining facility is at risk when rocks larger than the crusher mouth appear. Some quarries use a clamp near the crusher mouth, close to the primary crusher. In simpler cases, repositioning the material at the crusher mouth is enough to continue production, but in more complex situations it is necessary to remove it and place it outside the facility.

However, the Máquinas Furlan team emphasizes that solutions adopted at the mine are the most efficient. The main losses, when a rock that does not meet specifications enters the crushing process, involve downtime.

When the material gets stuck in the primary crusher's mouth, the crusher can continue to work, but without producing anything. The mining company's personnel are forced to concentrate their energy on resolving the issue.

In re-crushing, any errors in the specification regarding the size of the cone intake port can cause premature wear of both the cone lining. Another situation related to the secondary crusher is related to the wear of the primary crusher jaws, as they tend to deliver a product with a more lamellar shape when the jaws are more worn.

Stones that do not meet specifications make it difficult for them to flow into the machine, causing a production problem.

Monitoring the work of the cones in the tertiary or quaternary stages is another important action on the part of mining companies. At this stage, the material has generally already undergone some type of classification, so it is important to analyze whether the rock will be crushed inside the chamber, whether the Opening of the Closed Position (APF) is regulated, among other points.

The procedure will also help in selecting the best type of coating for operation in those conditions.

Equipment must operate at the highest possible load

In conversations with customers, Furlan engineers are always asked about the best conditions to avoid losses due to machine breakdowns and wear parts.

The answer is simple: mining companies must always operate the equipment at the highest possible load, neither “flooded” nor empty.

The cone still needs to be fed correctly. The rocks must enter the chamber in a centralized manner, without segregation to one side of the chamber. This way, when the material enters the chamber in a centralized manner, it will be evenly distributed.

Under adverse conditions, rocks cause premature wear on coatings and also harm production as a whole.

What to consider when choosing a machinery and parts supplier

Now, all the care that the quarry takes during the blasting phase will be useless if there is noise when choosing the supplier for its mining plant. Máquinas Furlan is one of the leaders in the supply of mining equipment, accessories and steel castings for wear and replacement.

This is the result of a focus on innovation and a culture of offering solutions to customers, improved over more than 60 years of activity. Around 150 models of equipment are produced at its industrial unit in Limeira (SP) - see here . 

In the casting area, Furlan gains market share by offering a diversified portfolio of wear and restoration parts, covering renowned national and international brands.

Talk to our team and find out more – click here 

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