STEP 1
Sample Selection
The SMC Test® uses either crushed rock pieces that are very closely sized ("crush and select" method), or particles that are cut to similar size from drill core using a diamond saw ("cut core" method). The latter approach is used when limited drill core sample is available. Almost any drill core size is suitable, even core that has been quartered (slivered).
Consult your nearest laboratory for information about sample quantities. Note that products from the SMC Test can be re-used for other laboratory tests, such as Bond ball work index testing.
STEP 2
Laboratory Testing
The chosen rock particles are broken using a closely controlled range of impact energies on a JK Tech Drop Weight Tester (JKDWT). The high degree of control imposed on both the size of particles and the energies used to break them means that the test is largely free of the repeatability problems which plague tumbling mill rock characterisation tests.
STEP 3
SMC Data Processing
The results from conducting the SMC Test® are used to determine the drop-weight index (DWi) which is a measure of the strength of the rock as well as the comminution indices Mia, Mih and Mic. In conjunction with the Bond ball mill work index they can be used to accurately predict the overall specific energy requirements of circuits containing: AG and SAG mills, Ball mills, Rod mills, Crushers, High Pressure Grinding Rolls (HPGR).
The SMC Test® also generates the JK rock breakage parameters A, b, Axb and ta as well as the JK crusher model's t10-Ecs matrix, all of which are generated as part of the standard report output from the test. These values can be used to simulate crushing and grinding circuits using JKTech's simulator – JKSimMet.