The influence of particle shape in rock fracture

Understanding the fracture process of rock is of particular interest to the mining industry. In terms of energy utilisation, size reduction is an Achilles heel – utilising approximately two per cent of total global energy. Reducing this cost is a major driver in the industry. There are a number of ways to reduce this energy consumption. One of them is to gain a fundamental understanding of the fracture process of rock that can then be used to optimise breakage in various comminution devices and processes. Numerical tools such as Discrete and Finite element methods can be used to visualise and enhance the fundamental understanding of the fracture process. Successful quantitative modelling will enable researchers to quantify, and thus potentially control, the energy utilisation. There is little work looking at the infl uence of shape on rock fragmentation and utilising it to reduce comminution energy. It is hypothesised that particle shape and the way force is applied to the particle infl uence energy absorption and utilisation in fracture. The implication is that energy reduction during comminution can be achieved by controlling and using the shapes of rock particles to advantage. Controlled tests have been conducted to verify the effects of shape ranging from quasi static to dynamic breakage tests. Initial findings show that strength of ore is greatly influenced by shape and direction of loading. This information has significant implications to the standard test procedures used quantify the ore hardness in minerals industry