The initial research projects undertaken at the JKMRC from the 1960s were in comminution and the earliest technology transfer activities of JKTech were in comminution design and optimisation. The long history of comminution studies at the JK Centre has included the development of laboratory testing procedures to provide material characterisation data that could be used in conjunction with machine specific data for use in modelling and simulation techniques, particularly with respect to autogenous and semi-autogenous grinding mills.

The first testing device, now superseded, was the famous JKTech pendulum. The pendulum provided very useful data but was slow in delivering results. It is notable that it was with significant input from our laboratory technicians and workshop staff that the now industry standard JK Drop Weight Tester was developed. To provide even faster and cheaper measurement of comparative rock hardness, a reduced version of the Drop Weight Test, the SMC Test, provides the Drop Weight Index (DWi).

JK Drop Weight Test
SMC Test
Bond Rod Mill Index Test
Bond Ball Mill Index Test
Point Load Test
Isa Mill Test
High Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR) Test