Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration

https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-019-0051-0

Characterization and Comminution Studies of Low-Grade Indian

Iron Ores
T. Santosh 1 & S. I. Angadi 1 & Nilima Dash 1 & C. Eswaraiah 1 & Sunil Kumar Tripathy 2

Received: 7 December 2018 / Accepted: 14 January 2019

# Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc. 2019

Abstract
Banded hematite quartzite (BHQ) and banded hematite jasper (BHJ) ores represent a promising potential iron ore resource in the
near future. The hematite and quartz in BHQ and the hematite and jasper in BHJ are closely related and require fine grinding for
the liberation of hematite phases. The present study investigates the mineralogical features and comminution properties of BHQ
and BHJ ores. In the BHQ ore, it is observed that thick bands of hematite have fine inclusions of silicate minerals, whereas silica
bands have few grains of iron-bearing minerals. The hematite and quartz minerals in the iron and silicate bands of the BHJ ore
appear to be more intricately associated and complex in nature, presenting difficulties for liberation. Bond work index studies
were carried out for the BHQ and BHJ ores with different product fineness in order to evaluate the energy requirements in fine
grinding. A higher Bond work index value was found for the BHJ ore (15.4 kWh/ton) than for the BHQ ore (12.4 kWh/ton). A
decrease in the product particle size was associated with an increase in the work index value. Single-particle breakage experi-
ments were designed by varying feed particle size and input energy. The specific energy consumption for the BHJ ore was higher
than that for the BHQ ore. The comminution parameters showed that the BHJ ore is harder to grind than the BHQ ore, which may
be due to the mineral composition and association of hematite phases with the silicates.

Keywords Characterization studies . Comminution . Bond work index . Test mesh size . Specific comminution energy . Product
fineness

1 Introduction
Banded hematite quartzite (BHQ) and banded hematite jasper
(BHJ) ores are low-grade iron ores with high silica and alu-
mina content, found in the Indian subcontinent. BHQ ores
generally contain 35–38% Fe, 42–45% SiO2, and 0.5–2.5%
Al2O3, while BHJ ores contain 40–45% Fe, 38–40% SiO2,
and 1–1.5% Al2O3 [1–3]. These low-grade iron ores require
beneficiation before they can be used in a blast furnace. The
overall productivity and profitability of steel plants depends
on the quality of iron ores fed into the blast furnace. The
alumina/silica ratio in the feed ore should be less than 1%
for efficient blast furnace operation. An alumina-to-silica ratio
* S. I. Angadi
shivakumar@immt.res.in
1
Mineral Processing Department, CSIR-Institute of Minerals and
Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar 751013, India
2
Research and Development Division, Tata Steel Ltd.,
Jamshedpur, India
that is greater than that in low-grade ores typically poses seri-
ous operational problems during sintering and subsequent
steelmaking processes. The problem in processing low-grade
iron ores is the association of alumina and silicate minerals
along with the iron-bearing phases. Therefore, characteriza-
tion studies play an important role in the recovery of minerals
from low-grade iron ores. These low-grade ores require com-
plex beneficiation flow sheets, as the iron phases are associat-
ed with fine gangue minerals. Many researchers [4–11] have
reported that the mineral composition and liberation properties
dictate the processing methods and subsequent utilization of
the iron ore concentrates.
Comminution is needed for the beneficiation of many ores,
as liberation of valuable and gangue minerals occurs at fine
and ultrafine particle sizes. Size reduction of ore is an extreme-
ly energy-intensive process [12–17], where energy is inverse-
ly related to the required particle size. Parameters such as
Bond work index and single-particle breakage are widely used
to measure the energy requirements for size reduction in the
analysis of ore properties.
The Bond work index test is a standard method of ore
characterization used to assess the energy required for size
 Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration

reduction, and finds wide application in the design of commi-
nution circuits [18–20]. The work index indicates the resis-
tance of the material to grinding. This method was devel-
oped by Fred Bond in 1952, and a number of correction
factors were subsequently added to accurately predict the
energy requirement. Bond’s ball mill grindability test has
been widely used for evaluating the energy requirements in
a ball and rod mill and for the selection of suitable plant-
scale comminution equipment. The Bond grindability test
is currently used in the minerals industry to provide funda-
mental data for designing commercial milling installations
[21–24]. This index is commonly used for comparing the
hardness of different materials and estimating the energy
required for grinding.
The drop-weight test is one of the simplest methods for
investigating the breakage characteristics of materials
[25–28]. In this test, a single particle is subjected to breakage
between two solid surfaces, where the drop-weight can be a
steel ball or plate. In these investigations, the input energy is
correlated with the new surface area produced or the product
particle size. A fundamental understanding of the relationship
between input energy and size reduction is still is still lacking,
due the complexity of the energy utilization patterns, in that
about 1% of the input energy is used in the breakage. Herbst
and Fuerstenau [29] used a standard number of impacts to the
single particle or to a bed of particles. The drop-weight test
can be used for estimating product size distribution for a spec-
ified input energy resulting from an impact event in the mill-
ing device [30]. A few articles have addressed the particle size
reduction property along with mineral particle characteristics,
texture, and morphology [1, 3, 31–33].
In the present work, investigations were carried out on
banded hematite quartzite (BHQ) and banded hematite jasper
(BHJ) ores in order to determine the effects of the ore proper-
ties on the comminution parameters. Characterization studies
were conducted using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction,
and scanning electron microscopy to understand the mineral
composition and textural association of the ores. The commi-
nution parameters were investigated using the Bond ball mill
work index and single-particle breakage tests.
Table 1 Analysis results for BHQ and BHJ ores
Sample % Fe % SiO2 % Al2O3 Bulk density, g/cm
BHQ 38.0 42.5 2.5 3.39
BHJ 41.0 38.0 1.5 3.26
features of these ores are different. The characterization stud-
ies were carried out by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction,
and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive
spectroscopy. Optical microscopy studies were carried out
on the polished sections prepared according to the convention-
al procedure using the Leica Orthoplan microscope with a
DFC420 C digital camera attachment. Scanning electron micros-
copy was carried out using a ZEISS (model no. EVO18) operated
at 20 kV with a working distance of 8.5 to 9.0 mm. The X-ray
diffraction studies were carried out using a PANalytical X’Pert
PRO with a cobalt target unit operated at 30 mA and 40 kV.
2.1 Bond Work Index
A standard 12″ × 12″ laboratory Bond ball mill was used to
conduct the work-index experiments. About 50 kg of each of
the BHQ and BHJ samples was prepared in −3.35 mm size by
a jaw crusher followed by a roll crusher. Size analysis results
for the crushed products of the BHQ and BHJ samples are
shown in Fig. 1. It can be observed from the figure that the
size distribution of the BHQ ore is coarser (F80-2560 μm) than
that of the BHJ ore (F80-2211 μm).
Work index experiments were conducted according to the
procedure described in the literature [34]. In the first cycle,
700 cc of −3.35 mm dry material was taken in the ball mill and
operated for 100 revolutions. After grinding, material from the
mill was removed and screened on a test sieve (Pi), and the
undersize fraction was weighed. A fresh feed weighing equiv-
alent to the undersize fraction was added to the oversize
100
90 BHQ BHJ
80

70
Cum. Wt.% Finer

2 Materials and Methods 60

F80-2560µm
50
Experiments were carried out on banded hematite quartzite
40
(BHQ) and banded hematite jasper (BHJ) ores collected from
30
different mines of Odisha, India. As-received samples were
subjected to physical and chemical characterization, and the 20
results are presented in Table 1. 10 F80-2211µm
It can be observed from the table that the chemical constit- 0
uents and bulk density of BHQ and BHJ ores indicate that 10 100 1000 10000
both samples have quite comparable chemical and physical Particle size, µm
properties. However, megascopic appearance and textural Fig. 1 Size analysis of BHQ and BHJ samples
Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration
material to bring its weight back to the original charge. The
reconstituted feed was returned to the mill for a second revo-
lution cycle calculated to produce 250% of the circulating
load. The procedure was continued until the grindability
(Gbp) attained a constant value in the last three cycles, typi-
cally over four to six cycles. The final grinding cycle product
was subjected to a complete sieve analysis to evaluate the P80
particle size. The work index was calculated using the follow-
ing equation:
44:5
Wi ¼   ð1Þ
10 10
Pi 0:23
 Gbp 0:82
 pffiffiffi − pffiffiffiffi
P F
where F is the 80% passing size (μm) of the fresh feed, P is
80% passing size (μm) of the product of the final grinding
cycle, Pi is the test mesh size, and Gpb is the grindability
expressed as the quantity of undersize product generated per
mill revolution (g/rev). Work index experiments were also
conducted at different test mesh sizes, namely, 150, 106, 75,
and 45 μm, where the product size separation below the test
sieve of 106 μm was prepared by wet sieving, drying, and
weighing.
2.2 Single-Particle Breakage Tests
The single-particle breakage experiments were conducted on a
drop-weight test apparatus using different size fractions.
About 100 kg of each BHQ and BHJ sample were prepared
for the experimental work. The samples were crushed in a
laboratory jaw crusher, and the products were subjected to
sieving to generate different size fractions. A description of
the drop-weight test apparatus used in the present study is
presented elsewhere [35]. Briefly, the drop-weight test setup
consists of a hemispherical-shaped steel anvil, a drop ball
60 mm in diameter made of a manganese-steel alloy, and an
adjustable height arrangement to hold the ball. The drop ball
weighs 893 g, which is facilitated to maintain a drop height of
a maximum of 1.5 m and minimum of 0.25 m. Particles are
placed on top of the steel anvil, and the ball is lifted to a certain
height and then released to fall on the ore particle to generate
the fragments. The steel anvil is enclosed in a stainless steel
basket that prevents scattering of the material. The assembly
design is similar to the ball-ball contact features of the ball mill
environment. The broken fragments are collected and ana-
lyzed for the particle size distribution. Single-particle break-
age experiments were carried out with different input energy
levels and particle sizes. About 100 g of each size fraction was
subjected to the breakage test. Daughter fragments of all ex-
periments were collected and analyzed for the particle size,
and corresponding specific comminution energy (Ecs) values
were calculated as a function of drop height and particle mass.
A total of 34 experiments were performed by varying the feed
particle size and input energy.
3 Results and Discussion
3.1 Characterization Studies
Characterization studies play an important role in the process-
ing of ores. These studies help to identify the major and
minor minerals, textural association, grain size, grain bound-
ary relationship, and intergrowths. This is vital information
for determining the liberation size and subsequent comminu-
tion and concentration stages. In the present paper, mineral-
ogical studies were carried out in detail using optical micros-
copy, scanning electron microscopy with EDS, and X-ray
diffraction analysis. Representative samples collected from
both BHQ and BHJ ores were prepared by polishing sections
for optical and scanning electron microscopic studies, while a
feed sample was ground to 75 μm for the X-ray diffraction
analysis.
3.1.1 Optical Microscopy
Microscopy studies of the BHQ sample shows that hematite,
martite, and magnetite are the major iron minerals. Figure 2a
shows the presence of skeletal martite and euhedral hematite
grains in silicate matrix, whereas martite and magnetite are
also observed in the silicate ground mass shown in Fig. 2b.
In addition, fine specularite is marked in a silicate matrix
along with clay in the BHQ sample are also observed.
Characterization of the BHQ sample from the same region
reported earlier by Panda et al. [36] shows the presence of
hematite and quartz as the major iron mineral phases, and
magnetite, goethite, limonite and kaolinite were also present
in minor quantity. The hematite grains present in the BHQ ore
are of various sizes. Fine hematite grains occupy the inter-
granular space of the silicates minerals. Many fine particles
of hematite and silicates are interlocked posing difficulties in
the liberation.
Reflected light microscopy studies on the BHJ sample re-
veal that the ore consists mainly of different iron oxide min-
erals along with varying amounts of silicate minerals includ-
ing quartz and clay. Hematite is the major iron-bearing min-
eral. The ore shows the presence of alternating bands of iron-
rich and silica-rich minerals, shown in Fig. 2c. In Fig. 2d, the
iron minerals are intricately associated with the silica min-
erals. The banded iron formation is due to the presence of
alternating iron-rich and silica-rich bands. Generally, the
bands are parallel, and the concentration of iron-bearing min-
erals is largely uniform in the iron-rich bands, while the con-
centration is erratic in the silica-rich bands. Some silica grains
are also found to be intermixed with hematite bands. Goethite
 Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration

a b

H
M
S

S
S
H

c d

S S
H H

Fig. 2 (a, b) Optical micrographs of BHQ showing distribution of euhedral hematite and martite in silicate matrix. (c, d) Optical micrographs of BHJ
showing alternating iron-rich and silica-rich bands. S: silica-rich, H: hematite, M: martite

and specular hematite are the secondary iron-bearing minerals
present in the low-grade ores of Odisha, India.
3.1.2 Scanning Electron Microscopy
Scanning electron microscopic studies were used to de-
termine the mineral and textural differences between the
BHJ and BHQ ores. According to [37] and [38], the
hematite band of BHJ shows the presence of acicular
hematite with interstitial spaces occupied by the quartz
minerals, whereas, in the quartz band, fine inclusions of
hematite grains are evident. The presence of irregularly
shaped quartz minerals is common in the hematite ma-
trix. Mosaic textural growth was observed between the
hematite and quartz minerals, indicating the complexity
in the liberation.
Scanning electron microscopy studies of BHQ and BHJ
samples are presented in Fig. 3. In BHQ, the euhedral grains
of hematite are disseminated within the silicate matrix, and
energy-dispersive spectroscopy ( EDS) results depict the pres-
ence of Fe (36%) and Si (29%) in the form of oxides (Fig. 4a).
The thick jasper bands with very fine dispersion of hematite
grains are shown in Fig. 4b. The EDS results confirm the
presence of Fe (39%) along with Si (28%), constituting two
different phases in BHJ ore.
3.1.3 X-Ray Diffraction
X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies are widely used in mineral pro-
cessing to identify the mineral phases of an ore [1, 3]. The repre-
sentative samples of BHQ and BHJ were ground finer than
75 μm and subjected to X-ray diffraction studies for the identifi-
cation of major and minor minerals. The analysis results shown in
Fig. 5 indicate the presence of iron-bearing minerals hematite and
magnetite in the BHQ ore, with a minor amount of goethite, and a
major peak is observed for quartz. The XRD pattern of the BHJ
sample shows that the major minerals present in the ore are he-
matite and quartz, with a minor amount of goethite and kaolinite.
3.2 Comminution Studies
There are several ways to evaluate the comminution properties
of the minerals. Properties such as Bond work index,
Hardgrove index, and shutter index, are widely used to eval-
uate the hardness of various minerals. The Bond work index is
used to evaluate the energy requirements in dry and wet grind-
ing for different types of ores. In the present study, comminu-
tion properties of BHQ and BHJ ores were investigates out
using Bond ball mill work index and simple drop-weight test
experiments. Results of the comminution properties are
discussed in the subsequent paragraphs.
Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration

a b

c d

Fig. 3 (a, b) Scanning electron micrographs of BHQ showing disseminated euhedral hematite grains (bright) within the silica matrix (gray). (c, d)
Scanning electron micrographs of BHJ showing alternating iron-rich (bright) and silica-rich bands (gray)

3.2.1 Bond Work Index
Liberation of iron-bearing phases from gangue minerals in the
low-grade (BHQ and BHJ) ores can be achieved at -45 μm fine
particle size. The work index values calculated by the standard
procedure using the test mesh sizes of 150 or 106 μm would
mislead the mill selection. In order to calculate the energy require-
ment for fine grinding, many authors [18, 39] have calculated the
work index values at different test mesh screens. In the present
investigation, Bond work index values were calculated at 45, 75,
106 and 150 μm test mesh screens. The mill circulating load of
250% was kept constant in all the experiments. The mill products
obtained at different test screens were subjected to particle size
analysis, and the results are presented in Fig. 6. It can be observed
from the figures that a decrease in test screen size decreases the
product particle sizes. For a given test screen size, the BHQ prod-
uct size distribution P80 is higher than that for the BHJ ore, which
indicates that the BHQ ore generates more fines than the BHJ ore.
The ball mill work index experiments were carried out by
varying the test mesh size so as to vary the product particle size.
Figure 7 shows the influence of product fineness (P80) on the
work index. It can be observed that the P80 of BHQ and BHJ
ores exhibit a similar trend, that is, decreased product fineness
(P80) increases the work index values. This may be because
decreased product particle size increases the specific surface area
of the particles, which is directly proportional to the comminu-
tion energy [18, 21, 40, 41]. Grindability (Gbp) is an important
comminution property, which is expressed as the amount of fines
generated per mill revolution. The amount of fines is directly
related to the hardness of the material. The Gbp values are higher
for the BHJ ore than the BHQ ore at all product particle sizes,
indicating that the BHJ ore is harder than the BHQ ore.
3.2.2 Single-Particle Breakage Test/Breakage Properties
The single drop-weight test apparatus was used in the present in-
vestigations to study the breakage properties of BHQ and BHJ ores.
Single-particle breakage tests were conducted with four input ener-
gies and different particle sizes. An approximately 100-g sample
was used in each experiment, which was prepared by wet sieving
 Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration

a Element Weight %

OK 34.56

SiK 29.0

FeK 36.44

b Element Weight %

OK 32.13

SiK 28.13

FeK 39.74

Fig. 4 (a) Area analysis of discrete hematite grains within silica in BHQ and (b) jasper band with fine dispersion of hematite in BHJ, along with their
EDS revealing the compositional distribution of Si, Fe, and O

and drying into different size classes. In these tests, the specific
comminution energy (Ecs) was calculated and analyzed as a func-
tion of the input energy and particle mass. The term Bspecific
comminution energy^ is defined as the comminution energy per
unit mass that is transmitted to the particle during breakage and is
expressed as kWh/ton. Figure 8a and b shows the effect of input
energy on specific comminution energy for BHQ and BHJ ores.
It can be observed from the figures that the single-particle
breakage test results for different particle sizes of BHQ and
BHJ ores exhibit similar variations in specific comminution
energy. Increased input energy increases the quantum of ener-
gy available for size reduction, and as a result, specific com-
minution energy increases [14, 25, 27]. It was also observed
from the experimental data that as particle size decreased from
Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration

Fig. 5 XRD pattern of different

mineral phases in BHQ (1) and H
BHJ (2) samples. H: hematite, Q:
quartz, G: goethite, K: kaolinite, G
Q K
M: magnetite H K
H KK
BHJ G H G H H
K G H HH
Q Q G Q Q Q Q Q
K

Intensity
Q

H
G H
M
G H
Q H Q HQ H H
BHQ G GHQ G Q Q
Q MH
M

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Position 2

−40 + 20 mm to −3 + 2 mm, the specific comminution energy
increased. This indicates that the coarser particles −40 + 20
and −20 + 10 mm consume less input energy than the fine
particles −10 + 5, −5 + 3, and −3 + 2 mm, as shown in Fig.
8a and b. The Ecs values are linearly related to the input
energy. It can be seen from the figures that for a given particle
size and input energy, the Ecs values for BHJ are higher than
for BHQ ore. For example, the particle size −3 + 2 mm ex-
hibits an Ecs value of 5.064 kWh/ton at 10.95J (1.25 m height)
for the BHJ ore, whereas the BHQ ore shows 3.798 kWh/ton.
This indicates that high specific comminution energy is need-
ed for size reduction of the BHJ ore compared to the BHQ ore.
Single-particle breakage experiments were carried out on four
input energies at different particle sizes to study the effect of input
energy on product fineness. A total of 34 tests were conducted
for both ores. Daughter fragments for each experiment were dry-
sieved for 20 min using a set of sieves to determine the product
fineness. The product size distribution from the breakage of par-
ticles is plotted by the particle size against the cumulative weight
percentage passing to lower sieves. In such plots, a curve with a
steep slope is observed over coarser fractions, and a smooth
transition to a straight line of lesser slope is observed for the finer
sizes. Figure 9a and b shows the effect of input energy on product
fineness. The experimental results presented in the figures show
that the BHQ and BHJ ores display a similar trend in product
fineness relative to input energy, with increased input energy
associated with decreased product fineness. Similar observations
were reported by [28]. Further, it has been observed that the
product particle size varies in a systematic pattern with input
energy [25, 27]. Finer feed particles −10 + 5, −5 + 3, and −3 +
2 mm generate finer products compared to the coarser feed
−40 + 20 and −20 + 10 mm, as shown in Fig. 9a and b. These
figures reveal that for a given input energy and particle size BHQ
ore generates finer products compared to BHJ ore.

100 100

90 90
BHQ Ore BHJ Ore
80 Test mesh size, microns 80 Test mesh size, microns

150 150
70 70
Cum. Wt., % Finer

Cum. Wt., % Finer

106 106
60 60
75 75
50 45 50 45

40 40
P80-113µm P80-109µm
30 30
P80-78µm P80-73µm
20
20
P80-57µm P80-53µm
10
10
P80-44µm
0
P80-40µm
0
10 100 1000
10 100 1000
Size in microns
Size in microns

Fig. 6 Size analysis of mill products at different test mesh screens

 Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration

20 20

19 19
BHQ
18 18
BHJ

Work-index (BWi), kWh/t

Work-index (BWi), kWh/t
17 17 BHQ

16 16 BHJ

15 15

14 14

13 13

12 12

11 11

10 10
10 30 50 70 90 110 130 0 0.5 1 1.5 2
P80, µm Gbp, g/rev
Fig. 7 Relation between the product particle size and grindability with the work index

Fig. 8 Effect of input energy on 4.0 5.5

Particle size, mm Particle size, mm (b)
specific comminution energy for 5.0
3.5 -40+20
(a) BHQ and (b) BHJ ores -20+10
-20+10 4.5
3.0 -10+5 -10+5
-5+3 4.0
-5+3
Ene rgy, kWh/t

Energy, kwh/t
2.5 -3+2 3.5 -3+2
3.0
2.0
2.5
1.5 2.0
1.0 1.5
1.0
0.5
0.5
0.0 0.0
2 4 6 8 10 12 2 4 6 8 10 12
Input energy, J Input energy, J

Fig. 9 Effect of input energy on 35 20

Parcle size, mm
product fineness for BHQ and
30 -20+10
BHJ ores
-10+5
15
25 -40+20 -5+3
d80, mm

-20+10 -3+2
d80, mm

20
-10+5
10
15 -5+3
-3+2
10
5
5
(a)
(b)
0
0
2 4 6 8 10 12
2 4 6 8 10 12
Input energy, J
Input energy, J
Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration
4 Conclusions
Characterization and comminution studies were carried out on
low-grade iron ores BHQ and BHJ. Optical microscopy, X-
ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy with EDS
were performed to ascertain the ore composition and textural
association of different minerals. The comminution behavior
was studied using the Bond ball mill work index and single-
particle breakage tests.
Characterization studies by optical microscopy confirmed
the presence of alternating iron-rich and iron-poor silica-rich
bands in both BHQ and BHJ ores. The investigations showed
that the scale of banding was different in each ore and that it
varied from micron level to thick bands. Scanning electron
microscopy studies on the BHQ sample revealed that hematite
grains were disseminated throughout the silicate matrix. The
BHJ sample scanning electron microscopy studies revealed
that the thick jasper bands showed fine dispersion of hematite
grains, posing difficulties in liberation. The iron and silicate
bands in the BHJ sample showed a mosaic textural growth. X-
ray diffraction studies revealed that hematite and magnetite,
along with a minor amount of goethite, were the main iron-
bearing minerals present in the BHQ ore. The silicate minerals
were mostly quartz. The BHJ sample revealed that the major
minerals in the ore were hematite and jasper, and goethite and
kaolinite were the minor minerals.
Bond work index tests were carried out on both BHQ and
BHJ ores by varying the test mesh sizes. The work index
values indicate the energy requirements in reducing the parti-
cle size. Hard ores possess higher work index values than
softer rocks. In the present research, the BHJ ore showed a
higher (15.4 kWh/ton) work index value than the BHQ ore
(12.4 kWh/ton). Work index values showed an increasing
trend with decreasing product fineness.
Single-particle breakage experiments were carried out to
analyze the effect of input energy on specific comminution
energy and product particle size. The single-particle breakage
test results revealed that an increase in input energy increased
the specific comminution energy and decreased the product
particle size. It was also found that decreased particle size
increased the specific comminution energy. The BHJ ore
showed high specific comminution energy for size reduction
compared to the BHQ ore. The information obtained from
these tests could be used to compare material hardness as well
as to evaluate energy requirements in grinding.
Acknowledgements The first author, Mr. T. Santosh, would like to ac-
knowledge the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB), New
Delhi, for the Junior Research Fellowship under a grant-in-aid project
entitled BEnergy efficient advanced comminution processes to treat low
grade Indian ores for energy conservation^ (Ref. No.: SB/EMEQ-153/
2014). The authors would also like to thank the director of the CSIR-
Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, India, for
allowing publication of this work.
Compliance with Ethical Standards
Conflict of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of
interest.
Publisher’s Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to juris-
dictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
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