Mineral grinding mills are essential in the mining, construction, metallurgy, and chemical industries. These machines help process raw materials into fine powders, supplying downstream industries and boosting profitability.
For example, in mining, iron ore needs to be finely ground to improve smelting efficiency. A high-performance iron ore grinding equipment ensures the final product meets industrial requirements.
Applications of mineral grinding mill:
- Mining: Grinding iron ore, gold ore, copper ore, etc.
- Construction: Processing limestone, gypsum, dolomite into fine powders
- Metallurgy: Preparing ore powder for steel production
- Mining: Grinding iron ore, gold ore, copper ore, etc.
- Chemical industry: Ultra-fine grinding of calcium carbonate, talc, bentonite, etc.
Both metallic and non-metallic minerals require different mineral grinding machines to achieve optimal grinding performance based on their characteristics.
What are the types of mineral grinding mills?
Mineral grinding mills primarily use grinding processes (rather than crushing) to grind minerals, rocks, or ores to the required fineness.
However, the mineral grinding industry still faces challenges such as high energy consumption, low grinding efficiency, and insufficient product fineness.
To address these issues, FTM Machinery offers the following high-efficiency grinding equipment:
| Grinding machine types | Suitable minerals | Key advantages |
| Ball mill | High-hardness metal or non-metal minerals | Ideal for large-scale mineral grinding, supports both dry and wet grinding methods |
| Raymond mill | Medium-hardness non-metal minerals | Low investment, moderate energy consumption, suitable for small to medium-sized businesses |
| Ultra-fine mill | Medium to low-hardness non-metal minerals | Ultra-fine grinding, high product fineness, low energy consumption, and compact design |
1. Ball mill Get a quote
The ball mill is suitable for grinding high-hardness and large-capacity ores. It can grind both metal and non-metal ores, as well as materials like cement clinker, making it ideal for large-scale industrial production.
A ball mill uses grinding media (such as steel or ceramic balls) to crush and grind materials into the desired size. It is suitable for coarse grinding and intermediate fineness grinding.
- Metallic ores: Gold ore, copper ore, iron ore, chromite
- Non-metallic ores: Quartz sand, feldspar, potassium feldspar, limestone, marble
- Chemical materials: Zircon sand, cement clinker, slag, glass
Feeding size: ＜25 mm
Final particle size: 0.074–0.89 mm (20–200 mesh)
Capacity: 1.1–208 t/h
Want to learn more about particle size, mesh, and microns? Check out our detailed guide here.
Ball mill features:
- Low dust emissions: Enclosed grinding to reduce pollution
- Wet & dry grinding: Supports both grinding methods for various materials
- Special material grinding: Can be filled with inert gas, suitable for explosive materials.
- Stable operation: Maintenance cycle extended to 2,000 hours
- Cost-effective: Affordable grinding media, easy to replace
- Flexible use: Suitable for batch and continuous grinding
Customer case: iron ore grinding project in Australia
A client struggled with low-grade iron ore, and traditional grinding equipment couldn't achieve the required recovery rate.
FTM Machinery customized a ball mill system, optimizing the grinding process for finer and more uniform iron ore powder.
Results:
- Iron recovery rate increased by 20%, boosting concentrate production
- Energy consumption reduced by 12%, lowering operating costs
- Finer and more uniform final product, meeting steel production standards
2. Raymond mill Get a quote
If you need an economical and efficient mineral grinding machine, a Raymond mill is the ideal choice. It is perfect for medium-hard non-metallic minerals such as gypsum, limestone, kaolin, talc.
Feeding size: ≤25 mm
Final particle size: 0.173–0.044 mm (80–325 mesh)
Capacity: 1–22 t/h
Unlike the ball mill, the Raymond mill processes softer materials with lower output. However, it produces finer and more uniform powder at a lower investment cost, making it suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.
Raymond mill features:
- Uniform fine grinding: 99% pass rate for 325-mesh powder
- Adaptive to material moisture: Works even with ±3% humidity fluctuations
- Low investment, high return: Lower cost compared to ball mills
Customer case: 500TPD gypsum powder production in Vietnam
The client faced unstable product quality due to varying moisture levels in gypsum powder. Additionally, their old equipment had high energy consumption.
FTM Machinery engineers configured a Raymond mill, cyclone collector, and pulse jet system to optimize humidity control and reduce energy consumption.
Results:
- Moisture issue resolved within 72 hours
- Production rate increased to 101.3% of target
Vietnamese customer feedback:
"FTM engineers solved our humidity control issue within three days. The equipment runs stably, and our production efficiency has exceeded expectations!"
3. HGM ultra-fine grinding mill Get a quote
For industries that require ultra-fine powder, the HGM grinding mill is the most advanced option.
This grinding mill is suitable for high-precision ultrafine powder processing industry and can grind phosphate rock, barite, calcium carbonate, kaolin, talc, feldspar, etc.
Feeding size: ＜40 mm
Final particle size: 0.25–0.015 mm (60–800 mesh)
Capacity: 0.4–40 t/h
HGM ultra-fine mill features:
- Energy-efficient: 30% lower energy consumption than traditional mills
- Superior fineness: 97% of particles ≤5μm
- Automated control: Smart grinding parameter adjustment
Customer case: calcium carbonate processing in Thailand (30TPD)
A Thai client needed ultra-fine, high-whiteness calcium carbonate for the paint industry. Their existing machines couldn't meet the required fineness, affecting market competitiveness.
FTM Machinery provided an HGM ultra-fine mill and optimized the grinding process.
Results:
- Final product whiteness: 97%, boosting market value
- Energy consumption reduced by 15%, lowering costs
- Consistent product fineness, improving customer satisfaction
How to choose the right mineral grinding machine?
Selecting the right mineral grinder requires careful consideration of five key factors:
1. Mineral hardness: Choose equipment suitable for the material's hardness to avoid excessive wear or damage.
2. Target fineness: For coarse grinding of metal ores, a ball mill is ideal. For medium-fine grinding, a Raymond mill is cost-effective. For ultra-fine powders (e.g., 800-mesh calcium carbonate), choose HGM ultra-fine mills.
3. Production capacity: Large-scale operations benefit from ball mills, while Raymond mills and ultra-fine mills suit smaller businesses.
4. Investment cost: Raymond mills are the most affordable; ball mills have higher costs, while ultra-fine mills offer better energy control for high-value powder industries.
5. Reliable grinding mill manufacturer: Choosing an experienced manufacturer ensures stable performance, easy maintenance, and customized solutions.
Equipment selection guide:
- For high-capacity iron ore grinding, a ball mill is recommended. It is designed for large-scale metallurgy and hard mineral processing.
- For 300-mesh talc powder production on a budget, a Raymond mill is the best choice. It offers high efficiency at a lower investment, ideal for small to medium businesses.
- For 800-mesh calcium carbonate production with low energy consumption, the HGM ultra-fine mill is the optimal option, providing ultra-fine grinding capability.
A mineral grinding machine is a key investment in ore processing and fine powder production. Choosing the right equipment boosts efficiency, reduces costs, and maximizes output.
FTM Machinery has over 40 years of industry experience, providing high-quality grinding machines worldwide. Contact us for custom solutions and a free quote! Contact us
