SAG stands for Semi-Autogenous Grinding Mill, which is a type of grinding mill used to grind raw materials into powder without the help of a secondary grinding machine like a ball mill. This type of mill uses a large cylindrical shell that rotates on its axis and contains a grinding medium such as steel balls, rock, or ore. As the mill rotates, the grinding medium breaks down the raw materials, resulting in a finer powder.
A ball mill, on the other hand, is a type of grinding mill that uses steel balls as the grinding medium. It consists of a hollow cylindrical shell that rotates on its axis horizontally, and the steel balls inside the shell grind the material as it rotates.
The primary difference between the two types of mills is their grinding medium. A SAG mill uses a grinding medium to break down the raw material, while a ball mill uses steel balls to grind the material. Because the SAG mill is much larger than the ball mill, the raw material is processed in a much shorter time, resulting in a higher production rate.
Another difference between the two types of mills is the way they operate. A SAG mill uses a lifting plate to lift the material and drop it onto the grinding medium, while a ball mill uses a rotating drum to grind the material.
In summary, a SAG mill is a type of grinding mill that uses a grinding medium to break down raw materials, and a ball mill is a type of grinding mill that uses steel balls as the grinding medium. Both use a rotating cylinder to grind the material, but the way each operates differs.