Grinding balls: Why are they important in the Peruvian mining industry?

Peru is a major exporter of this key mining tool.

In mining and construction, grinding balls are crucial for crushing materials with rock crushers and mills.

Grinding balls, as the name implies, are balls made from tough materials like iron, steel, chrome-plated steel, rubber, and silicon. They are used to crush and shrink objects to separate ore from rock. This is achieved through two methods: regular grinding and SAG (semi-autogenous) grinding.

The toughness of grinding balls depends on their size and the material they are made from. To increase their toughness, as well as their ability to resist rust and impacts, they undergo a special heat treatment. Forging technology is the most common method for making these tools.

Photography: Shutterstock

OVERVIEW OF THE MINING INDUSTRY

Peru is among the top countries known for exporting this tool. Based on data from Exportemos.pe Peruvian exports of forged steel grinding balls hit USD 16.6 million in 2022, a 19 % increase from the previous year.

Between 2020 and 2023, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of Peruvian exports of grinding balls was 20.7 %. The main export destination is Chile, with a total value of USD 16 million during the same period. Chile makes up 96.4 % of the export market, followed by Venezuela and Suriname at 2.7 % and 0.7 % respectively.

Photography: Shutterstock