A device is described for measuring changes in the local composition of particulate materials in a rotary mixer by continuously monitoring changes in the bulk density. The bulk density is measured using a small cup mounted to the mixer wall that fills with powder during rotation through the bed of particles in the lower part of the mixer. The mass of material in the cup is measured using a load cell during rotation of the cup above the free surface of the particles, and the cup empties before re-entering the particle bed. For mixing of materials with a difference in either particle density, or packing density, the localised bulk density measurement gives a good measure of mixing progress. The measurement device is demonstrated in a l m diameter horizontal rotating drum in which two materials are mixed along the axis of the drum. Measurements of the rate of dispersion along the axis are consistent with other work in inclined rotary kilns and can be fitted with a simple diffusion model for the axial mixing of the two species. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.