Abstract

RAS, E.  and  VISSER, J.K.. A model for continuous improvement at a South African minerals beneficiation plant. S. Afr. J. Ind. Eng. [online]. 2015, vol.26, n.1, pp.191-206. ISSN 2224-7890.

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.

        · abstract in Afrikaans     · text in English     · English ( pdf )