A model for continuous improvement at a South African minerals beneficiation plant

Abstract

South Africa has a variety of mineral resources, and several minerals beneficiation plants are currently in operation. These plants must be operated effectively to ensure that the end-users of its products remain internationally competitive. To achieve this objective, plants need a sustainable continuous improvement programme. Several frameworks for continuous improvement are used, with variable success rates, in beneficiation plants around the world. However, none of these models specifically addresses continuous improvement from a minerals-processing point of view. The objective of this research study was to determine which factors are important for a continuous improvement model at a minerals beneficiation plant, and to propose a new model using lean manufacturing, six sigma, and the theory of constraints. A survey indicated that managers in the industry prefer a model that combines various continuous improvement models.

Suid-Afrika beskik oor ’n verskeidenheid minerale hulpbronne, en verskeie veredelings-aanlegte vir minerale is tans in die bedryf. Hierdie aanlegte moet effektief bedryf word sodat eindgebruikers van die produkte internasionaal kompeterend kan bly. ’n Volhoubare kontinue verbeteringsprogram is nodig om hierdie doelwitte te bereik. Verskeie raamwerke en modelle vir kontinue verbetering word in veredelingsaanlegte wêreldwyd gebruik, maar met wisselende sukses. Geen van hierdie modelle is spesifiek ontwikkel vir kontinue verbetering by veredelingsaanlegte nie. Die doel van hierdie studie was om belangrike faktore te bepaal vir ’n model vir kontinue verbetering by veredelingsaanlegte. ’n Opname het getoon dat ’n model wat verskeie elemente van bestaande modelle gebruik verkies word deur rolspelers in die industrie. 1