Core Resources recently presented the fifth session in its technical webinar series, focusing on practical and innovative solutions for minerals processing and hydrometallurgical projects. This session introduced the Geopyörä rock breakage test, a state-of-the-art method for characterising rock breakage, developed to enhance geometallurgical modelling and comminution circuit design.
Comminution tests are essential in the design and operation of mineral processing plants. Traditional methods for assessing rock breakage characteristics are often laborious, expensive, and require large sample sizes, limiting their applicability in comprehensive geometallurgical programs. The Geopyörä test addresses these challenges by enabling efficient testing of large quantities of samples at a lower cost and with smaller sample requirements.
The Geopyörä device utilises counter-rotating wheels to apply controlled forces to rock particles, directly measuring the energy and force required for breakage. This approach allows for the accurate estimation of standard comminution parameters and rock mechanical properties, including:
t10 Axb parameter
Energy and force distributions (probability of breakage)
Drop Weight Index (DWi)
Bond Work Index (BWi)
Point Load Test Strength Index (Is)
Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS)
The test’s efficiency and low sample mass requirements make it ideal for integration with geochemical analysis, enhancing variability mapping and supporting geometallurgical applications.
The webinar was presented by Dr. Marcos Bueno, CEO of Geopyörä, who has over 15 years of experience in mining and mineral process engineering. Dr. Bueno’s expertise includes the design and optimisation of comminution circuits and geometallurgy. He developed the Geopyörä breakage test during his tenure as a senior researcher and lecturer at the University of Oulu, with financial support from Business Finland.
For those who missed the live session, a recording of the webinar is available here.
This webinar underscores Core Resources’ commitment to providing innovative metallurgical testing and process engineering solutions that address complex challenges in the mining industry.
