Relation between the crushability and the mineralographic and petrographic composition in ores from the copper pyrites deposits of the urals

Abstract

1. The mechanical and strength properties of ores and rocks are governed by their mineralogical and petrographic compositions, the quantity of sulfides (pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and bornite), and their degree of recrystallization and grain sizes. 2. Increase in the ore mineral contents of medium and coarse-grained copper pyrite ores promotes weak cohesion of the minerals and the development of cracks dueto dynamic shocks. 3. Increase in sulfide content improves the crushability of the ore. 4. In calculating the para meters for blasting operations we must take account of the mineralogical composition of the ores, their metal content, and the grain-size composition of the minerals. For pyrite ores the most reliable criterion in the calculations in the total quantity of sulfides (sum of sulfides), which can be fairly accurately and rapidly determined from the chemical analysis data.