Technology has made it possible for mining to make meaningful gains in the comminution space if it is applied with precision and discipline.
According to JD Singleton, Comminution Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Weir, such advances are crucial to the mining sector in meeting its carbon emission goals while controlling costs. At the recent Mining Indaba Africa held in Cape Town in February 2026, Singleton was moderator of the session on Smarter Energy Use in Crushing and Milling, drawing insights from industry leaders and researchers.
“An interesting element of the discussion was the recognition that the most efficient kilowatt-hour is the one never used,” he explains. “Selective mining and early waste rejection reduce the volume of material entering downstream circuits, lowering the energy required for size reduction. However, once material enters the plant, precision becomes critical.”
He points out that comminution phases in mineral processing remain primary consumers of energy in mining, requiring intense focus to reduce carbon emissions and operating cost.