The Problem: A mining company needed to understand and resolve a change in the current efficiency of the electrowinning circuit at one of their mines.

The Data Analysis Australia Approach: Through the use of a range of statistical tools, including breakpoint analysis and autoregressive linear models, the available data for the circuit were analysed. After the changes in the current efficiency over time were understood, Data Analysis Australia investigated a range of potential causes.

The Result: Breakpoint analysis demonstrated that the most recent change in efficiency was beyond previous trends and variability. Investigation of the circuit’s efficiency leading up to this “break” identified an irregular event that preceded the efficiency changes. The client was then able to identify a particular sequence of events and take action to improve efficiency and prevent instability in the electrowinning circuit.

The Problem: To detect subtle long-term problems in a chemical plant using data obtained from a network of sensors which would have ordinarily been dismissed as unimportant.

The Data Analysis Australia Approach: To compare data from two similar plants, one with and one without signs of a fault, using principal component analysis to reduce the data to fewer variables and applying a time series analysis approach.

The Result: Temperature sensor readings were more distinct in one plant and cyclic behaviour was observed with a particular vaporising unit which directed attention to a section of the plant that, unbeknownst by Data Analysis Australia, the client was already suspicious of.