Crushing and Grindig Plant Design and Layout Considerations

In mining operations, the layout of crushing plants and ancillary equipment and structures is a crucial factor in meeting production requirements while keeping capital and operational costs to a minimum. This paper addresses the critical design parameters as well as the consideration of orecharacteristics, geographical location, climatic conditions, expected operational life, expansionpotential, safety,environment, and operability and maintainability.

There are three main steps in designing a good crushing plant: process design, equipment selection, and layout. The first two are dictated by production requirements and design parameters, but the layout can reflect the input, preferences and operational experience of a number of parties.These can include the owner’s engineering staff, safety personnel, operations and maintenance personnel, equipment manufacturers, and the engineering consultant. Ideally, the consultant combines his knowledge and experience with an understanding of all parties’ needs, to provide a balanced, workable, safe and economic plant design.