Abstract: There is disclosed a system for sensing and controlling the mill load in a grinding mill. The system includes a load cell located in the region of the mill that is subjected to reaction axial thrust forces developed during mill operation. The load cell senses the thrust forces and provides output signals representative of the values of the thrust forces. The system further includes a load controller which is responsive to the output signals for determining the charge load of the mill and for providing control signals to the mill so as to control entry of materials into the mill.