The quantity, quality and detail of project information increases as project development moves from initial scoping level studies, to pre-feasibility and option studies, then definitive feasibility study and basic engineering stages._x000D_
Data accumulates from metallurgical and vendor testing from various ore types and composites carried out to assess physical characteristics and processing responses of the ore._x000D_
Over-simplification or assumptions about the orebody for flow sheet development can result in using average' information for design. Use of averages of data can have adverse implications on sizing of plant and equipment and consequently on definitive study cost estimates and detailed engineering._x000D_
In practice, the treatment plant workforce is faced with managing a non-homogeneous or non-average orebody in a variable operating environment that is not always predictable._x000D_
This paper presents views on how to use the data generated from testwork in project development and for process and plant design. Examples of process design risk or operating risk are presented. Although this topic is applicable to the broad range of process design decision making in the minerals industry, this discussion references comminution, flotation and extraction processes for gold and base metal ores._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:McLean, E J, 2004. Avoid average design in processing plants, in Proceedings Metallurgical Plant Design and Operating Strategies 2004, pp 595-612 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).