This paper investigates ore abrasion resistance using a small tumbling mill. Three kilograms of different size fractions of ore are tumbled in a 300-mm diameter by 300-mm length mill for varying times. The effect of particle size, milling time and stiffness of particles on abrasion characteristics were studied. As might be expected, the grinding time affects the degree of abrasion of particles. Longer grinding times produce more fragments. The size and stiffness of particles also affect the degree of abrasion. For the same quantity of mass, smaller particles (more in number) show more collisions and, hence, a higher probability of abrasion.