Abstract <p>The authors analyze the mechanical and process properties of gabbro, diorite, peridotite, serpentine and talc carbonate rocks of the Bazhenov chrysotile asbestos deposit. The hardness metering is performed on the surface of the sampled hand specimens. Their compression and tension strengths are found in the air-dry condition. The interrelations are revealed between the mechanical properties of the test rocks and the hardness meter readings. Using an empirical relationship, the crushability classes of the test rocks are determined. The correlation is found between the hardness meter readings and rock crushability at the test deposit. Finally, it is inferred that the present-day idea of the rock strength–crushability connection is valid both in traditional and rapid testing.</p>