Selection criteria for SAG mill drive systems

The author examines the various options available for large horsepower mill drive systems, their impacts on mill design. and relative capital and operational costs, He presents a brief history of large mill drive systems and discusses state-of-the-art mill design, mechanical design considerations, design for fixed-speed or variable-speed operation, capital cost factors that influence design, and operational cost factors to consider in design. The choice of drive system is seen to be dependent on the size of the mill, its critical speed, and the horsepower required. Several areas of concern are outlined for each drive system design. The author develops criteria for selecting the best design for large mills.<>