For a long time, three-stage crushing and two-stage grinding in rod and ball mills played a leading role in preparing ores for enrichment in both the ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy industries. This traditional ore preparation method remains the primary method for many existing and planned plants.

   Since the second half of this century, alongside the aforementioned process, fully autogenous grinding processes in Cascade mills have become widely used. This was particularly noticeable in the 1960s and 1970s. However, by the 1980s, it had become clear to many researchers that the autogenous grinding process is not universally applicable and its reliable application is only possible after thorough geological studies and deposit mapping. However, where autogenous grinding is applicable to the type of deposit, it is significantly more cost-effective than traditional ore preparation methods, primarily in terms of capital costs, plant volumes, and construction time.

   The presented development (heel lining), in our opinion, significantly expands the capabilities of the process of complete ore self-grinding, makes it more universal, and, therefore, more competitive in relation to known methods of ore preparation.

   The basic concept of the lining and its subsequent technological implementation were primarily intended to improve diamond preservation during ore disintegration in wet autogenous grinding mills. However, as subsequent testing showed, the role of the heel lining in the ore grinding mechanism turned out to be broader.

   Its main advantage turned out to be high productivity compared to traditional linings and low specific energy consumption.