Mechanized Mining and Machinery

This will be a fun topic to discuss.

Often times people use the terms "rock breaking" and "rock crushing" interchangeably. This not factually correct since both these terms refer to distinctly different processes.

Let's take a look into the differences from a mechanized mining perspective.

*Rock crushing - A mining process that ore bodies undergo in order to reduce its physical dimensions or size, typically by applying a compression force or by means of an impact force. Rock crushing also allows for the handling and size reduction of the ore body in bulk.

*Rock breaking - A mining process that oversized parts of ore bodies undergo in order to reduce its physical dimensions or size. Rock breaking is done typically through percussion (hydraulic hammer and chisel, or simply put hydraulic breakers) to reduce the ore body physical dimensions down to a more manageable size to support your rock crushing process. Rock breaking does not allow for bulk breaking, but is rather implemented to accept Run-Of-Mine ore bodies with occasional oversized rocks, without disrupting the mining process while maintaining production efficiencies.

Have i missed something in my brief summary? Please feel free to share your thoughts, experience and input on the topic.