STATISTICAL METHODS FOR MINERALS ENGINEERS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The short course will present essential statistical tools which are helpful for metallurgists. The course will develop applied knowledge of statistics through many practical examples for mineral processing engineers. The short course is designed in four modules to explain the basics of statistics in module one and the main statistical tools used in technical studies and plant trials by metallurgists in modules two and three. Module four will focus on key aspects of regression, which is important for establishing relationships between observation and measurements.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This short course covers all the basics. Therefore, this course could be beneficial for both junior and senior metallurgists and students at various levels. The short course will provide metallurgists and laboratory technicians with a basic understanding of statistics and statistical analysis. This will allow metallurgists and laboratory technicians to use statistical tools and methods in their daily work and ensure their studies and trials follows a sound statistical approach.

A practical approach is taken when covering all the topics in the short course, with a number of practical examples and hands-on examples for attendees to ensure effective delivery of course materials. The prerequisites for attendees are engineering degrees and experience in metallurgical processes (comminution, flotation, dewatering, etc.).

COURSE CONTENTS

The short course is organised into 4 modules, as shown in the list below. The course is offered online.

MODULE I

Basics

• Basics of statistics
• Normal distribution
• Small sample statistical inference

MODULE II

Statistical analysis tools

• Large sample statistical inference
• Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
• The Chi-Squared distribution

MODULE III

Practical

• Bimodal distribution
• The Poisson distribution
• Correlation

MODULE IV

Regression

• Linear regression
• Non-linear regression
• Model selection for regression

DR. MOHSEN YAHYAEI

Comminution Technical Solutions
University of Queensland, SMI, JKMRC

http://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/2653

Mohsen Yahyaei is an expert in modelling, optimisation, and control of comminution circuits using novel approaches and tools at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) at the University of Queensland, Australia. Mohsen has extensive experience in conducting applied research, industry surveys and process optimisation. Mohsen works with major mining companies and equipment suppliers. He has successfully led large research projects funded by the industry. Mohsen has extensive experience working with mining companies and their operations for operational diagnosis and identifying performance improvement opportunities in particular.

His interests include: process autonomy; dynamic modeling for process optimization and control; study of rock particle surface fracture; mechanistic approach to mill liner wear modeling.