Brief Introduction
AG mill (autogenous tumbling mill), or media-free mill, combines crushing and grinding. Using ore itself as media, it reduces material by impact and attrition. It accepts run-of-mine or coarse-crushed ore directly, eliminating secondary and tertiary crushing. Reduction ratio: 4,000–5,000, over 10× that of ball/rod mills.
Types: dry (air-swept) and wet (cascade); wet is widely used. Wet: water-assisted, high moisture tolerance, avoids hard-particle buildup, aids beneficiation. Dry: air classification, strict moisture limits, usable in water-scarce areas. Wet systems: fewer auxiliaries, 5–10% lower investment, 25–30% lower energy consumption.
