Many mineral processes exhibit cycles: trommel screen blinding, flotation froth collapse cycles, or shift-change effects. Spectral analysis (Fourier transform) identifies hidden frequencies. For example, a 24-hour cycle in plant feed density might indicate a change in mine haulage patterns rather than a process problem.
The primary crusher gap had drifted open over the weekend, producing coarser feed. Flotation kinetics slowed. Statistical Methods For Mineral Engineers
This is the specific branch of statistics developed for the mining industry to estimate reserves based on sparse drill hole data. flotation froth collapse cycles
Statistics provides the tools to quantify those errors and act on signal, not noise. Statistical Methods For Mineral Engineers
Amaya wrote a short list on the whiteboard: