:: MIPAC Recommendations to Improve Process Performance at Nifty Copper Operation in Western Australia

MIPAC, a respected world leader in process control, will implement advanced control strategies to improve process performance at Birla's Nifty Copper Operation in Australia.

Birla initially engaged MIPAC to review its use of process control and instrumentation at the Nifty operation west of Port Hedland.

Birla has now chosen to continue working with MIPAC to implement the control strategy improvements recommended in the areas of SAG milling, flotation and thickening.

"At Birla Nifty we actively strive for continuous improvement and aim to use world best practice in process control to increase plant stability", said Johan Welmans, Concentrator Manager, Birla Nifty Copper Operation. "We look to manage process outcomes in conjunction with MIPAC, which has a relevant track record of implementing process control strategies to help maximise throughput and plant stability."

As a result of the control strategies implemented by MIPAC, Birla Nifty Copper expects to achieve the following results:

• Improve process stability
• Consistently increase the feedrate to the SAG mill
• Reduce the demands on operators

"At Nifty, we will employ an approach which maximises the attributes of the existing control system infrastructure", said Andrew Thornton, Principal Process Control Engineer, MIPAC. "While MIPAC can and has provided successful 'black-box' control solutions we feel that the Nifty site being remote is best served with a robust PLC based control strategy which can be understood and maintained locally."

Contact:
Amy Ward
amy.ward@mipac.com.au

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