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🌟 Unlocking Efficiency: How the Vertimill® Revolutionizes Gold Mining

In the relentless pursuit of efficiency and sustainability, the mining industry has embraced innovative technologies that push boundaries. One such standout is the Metso Vertimill®, a vertical grinding mill that’s quietly transforming how gold is extracted and processed. But how does it work—and why is it so effective?

Let’s dig in.

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🛠️ What Is the Vertimill®?

The Vertimill® is a low-speed, vertical stirred grinding mill designed to handle fine and ultra-fine grinding tasks. Unlike traditional horizontal ball mills, which rely on impact forces, the Vertimill uses attrition grinding—a method where particles are ground by friction and pressure between smaller grinding media.

This design is particularly suited for:

• Secondary and tertiary grinding
• Regrinding of concentrates
• Fine grinding of ores
• Lime slaking applications

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⚙️ How Does It Work?

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the Vertimill’s operation in gold mining:

1. Feed Introduction

• Crushed ore or slurry is fed into the top of the Vertimill.
• The feed size can be up to 6 mm, and the target grind size is often 80% passing 20 µm, ideal for liberating fine gold particles.

1. Stirred Grinding Mechanism

• Inside the vertical chamber, a screw agitator stirs the grinding media (typically small ceramic or steel balls).
• The vertical orientation ensures that gravity keeps the media in constant contact with the ore, maximizing grinding efficiency.

1. Attrition-Based Grinding

• Unlike ball mills that rely on impact, the Vertimill uses continuous pressure and friction.
• This method is more energy-efficient and results in finer particle sizes—critical for gold recovery from refractory ores.

1. Discharge and Classification

• Ground material exits from the bottom.
• It can be sent to flotation, leaching, or other downstream processes depending on the gold recovery method used.

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🌱 Why Is It Ideal for Gold Mining?

Gold ores—especially refractory ores—require ultra-fine grinding to liberate gold particles trapped within sulfide minerals. The Vertimill excels here:

✅ Energy Efficiency

• Uses up to 40% less energy than traditional ball mills A.
• Lower operating costs and reduced carbon footprint.

✅ Smaller Footprint

• Requires 30–35% less space than horizontal mills A.
• Easier to install in tight plant layouts or retrofit into existing operations.

✅ Versatility

• Handles a wide range of feed types and grind sizes.
• Can be paired with high-speed mills like the Stirred Media Detritor (SMD) for even finer grinding B.

✅ Sustainability

• Lower media consumption and reduced wear.
• Supports sustainable mining practices by minimizing waste and energy use A.

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🧠 Real-World Applications

In gold mining, Vertimills are often used in:

• Regrinding flotation concentrates to improve recovery
• Fine grinding before leaching to enhance gold dissolution
• Processing complex ores that require ultra-fine liberation

As gold deposits become harder to access and more complex, technologies like the Vertimill are essential for maintaining profitability and environmental responsibility.

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🏁 Final Thoughts

The Vertimill isn’t just a piece of equipment—it’s a strategic asset in modern gold mining. By combining efficiency, precision, and sustainability, it helps miners unlock more value from their ore while reducing environmental impact.

Whether you’re designing a new plant or optimizing an existing one, the Vertimill deserves a serious look.