Plant Auditing

The efficiency of a coal preparation plant (CPP) has a major impact on the profitability of a mine. Regular audits are an essential tool in evaluating, optimising, de-bottlenecking and troubleshooting a CPP. They are also required to test performance guarantees and can explain any differences between expected and actual plant coal quality and yield. Optimising plant operations for an improvement in product recovery or quality, with minimum capital outlay, results in additional revenue that helps maximise profitability.
Some of the applications for a plant audit are:

• Newly-commissioned washplants;
• Plants with highly variable feeds and many feed types;
• Plants that have been progressively modified;
• Plants with identified throughput/capacity bottlenecks; and
• Plants that do not have a formal and systematic optimisation program.

Given the considerable expense associated with comprehensive CPP audits, it is critical that this investment delivers the desired audit outcomes. If implemented correctly, the associated payback time is commonly measured in days or weeks. Failing to properly plan and execute a metallurgical audit can result in useless lab results or, even worse, incorrect conclusions.

Alternatively, substantial operational improvement can often be achieved without a sampling program. With our extensive background in preparation plant operation, we can quickly and efficiently resolve most technical problems in your plant through a site visual inspection and troubleshooting audit. We can independently evaluate the plant operation and recommend the best solution.

Our proven auditing process uses systematic methods to determine if improvements can be made to your plant. QPS will work with site personnel to define the desired outcomes of the audit and identify the required sampling points. QPS would then develop a "Scope of Work" including all the required test work tailored to the specific equipment installation and operational set points. Technical supervision of the sampling, analysis and interpretation of the audit results will be provided.