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D Process Control Strategy

The document discusses sampling, ore grade control, and process control strategies. It emphasizes that the key is to identify the underlying structural properties, or causes of problems, rather than focusing on circumstantial properties or effects. Structural properties necessarily result from conditions that can be controlled, while circumstantial properties depend on uncontrolled conditions and chance. The document provides examples of structural vs. circumstantial properties and explains how to logically determine the relationship between primary structural properties and secondary circumstantial properties.

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Hugo Poma Fernández
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36 views

D Process Control Strategy

The document discusses sampling, ore grade control, and process control strategies. It emphasizes that the key is to identify the underlying structural properties, or causes of problems, rather than focusing on circumstantial properties or effects. Structural properties necessarily result from conditions that can be controlled, while circumstantial properties depend on uncontrolled conditions and chance. The document provides examples of structural vs. circumstantial properties and explains how to logically determine the relationship between primary structural properties and secondary circumstantial properties.

Uploaded by

Hugo Poma Fernández
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A Logical Sampling and

Process Control Strategy

The choice of a correct Sampling, Ore Grade Control, and


Process Control strategy is a necessity. Yet, an incorrect and
ineffective strategy is often selected.

Every day, many people in exploration, Ore Grade Control,


Process Control, material balancing, commercial settlements,
and environmental monitoring, are struggling with this problem.

The answer to this difficult problem is given by


the concepts of:

• Structural Properties (i.e., Causes of problems)

• Circumstantial Properties (i.e., Effects of problems)

A clear understanding of the difference between the two


concepts can save a lot of money for a given project.

1
Structural Property

A property is said to be structural when it necessarily results


from a certain number of conditions that we are in a position to
control or quantify, and that are assumed to be fulfilled.

Examples:

• The heterogeneity of copper minerals in a given area


of the mine,
• A sampling protocol,
• The characteristics of a sampling device,
• A process control procedure,
• The characteristics of a process unit,
• A sampling interval,
• A selected copper grade cutoff for the mine,
• A standard, etc…

It is what it is: It is the structure you operate with.

2
From Causes to Effects

A structural property is always true as long as you operate with


it. One or several effects may result from it.

Irrespective of the data generated by the effect, we are not


necessarily in a position to control it.
Examples:
• The copper content of a sample,
• The bias generated by a poor sample,
• The segregation induced by a silo,
• The process cycle introduced by a rake inside a thickener,
• A biased copper assay introduced by an inappropriate
analytical procedure,
• The invisible cost generated by the selection of a wishful
thinking copper grade cutoff at the mine, etc…

The effect depends on chance:


It is the circumstance you have to endure.

3
Circumstantial Property

A property is said to be circumstantial when it depends on


conditions which we are not necessarily in a position to control.
It is the conjuncture.

Example:
Let’s assume that you invested in a stacking/reclaiming system
that introduces strong segregation in a copper product
stockpile. The amount of segregation may change because of
many circumstantial factors, such as:

• A change in moisture content,


• A change in stream flow rate,
• A change in particle size distribution,
• A change in density between fragments,
• A change in shape between fragments, etc…

There is nothing much you can do about these undesirable


effects. The only thing you could do is to change the
stacking/reclaiming system which is the cause.

4
Conclusion:

A structural property will remain true, unless you change:

• A poor sampling protocol,

• A faulty sampling device,


• An inappropriate analytical procedure,
• A faulty design of a storage silo,
• A wishful thinking copper grade cutoff at the mine,

A structural property can be relied upon.

But, a circumstantial property cannot be relied upon and strictly


depends on chance. Therefore, too much emphasis on solving
effects of a cause is often a loss of time and money.

It is of the utmost importance to place emphasis on


identifying structural properties.
Invest resources on finding the cause of a problem instead
of reacting to its effects.

5
Concepts of Primary
and Secondary Properties

A property is said to be:

Primary

when it depends on the sole structure. Therefore, it is


independent from circumstances.

Secondary

when it depends on both the structure and the circumstances.

6
Logical Relationship Between
a Primary Structural Property and
a Secondary Circumstantial Property

Answer yes or no, in chronological order, the two following


questions.

1. Does the primary structural


property exist?

Yes No

Yes Certain Possible


2. Is the
secondary
property
observed?
No Impossible Probable

7
Logical Relationship Between
Sampling Correctness
And Sampling Accuracy

Answer, in chronological order, the two following questions.

1. Is the sampling device


primarily correct or
incorrect?

Correct Incorrect

2. Is the Accurate Certain Possible


collected
sample
secondarily
accurate or
biased? Biased Impossible Probable

8
Logical Relationship Between the
Correctness of a Stacking/Reclaiming
Facility and the Constancy of the
Feed it Delivers to the Process

Answer, in chronological order, the two following questions.

1. Is the design of the


stacking/reclaiming
facility primarily correct or
incorrect?

Correct Incorrect

2. Is the Constant Certain Possible


feed going to
the process
secondarily
constant?
Highly Impossible Probable
variable

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