A MODEL FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AT A SOUTH AFRICAN MINERALS BENEFICIATION PLAN

Authors

  • Eugene Ras University of Pretoria
  • Jacobus Krige Visser University of Pretoria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/26-1-883

Keywords:

beneficiation, improvement, model, framework

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.

Author Biographies

Eugene Ras, University of Pretoria

Production Manager

Jacobus Krige Visser, University of Pretoria

Graduate School of Technology Management, Professor

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Published

2015-05-08

How to Cite

Ras, E., & Visser, J. K. (2015). A MODEL FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AT A SOUTH AFRICAN MINERALS BENEFICIATION PLAN. The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 26(1), 191–206. https://doi.org/10.7166/26-1-883

Issue

Section

General Articles