Traceability enables a better understanding of the production process by capturing data from many points in a centralized on-line information system. Its main objective is to control the process variables to make timely decisions, reducing production costs and increasing productivity.

Aplik is developing a traceability system based on monitoring the permanent cathodes used in the electrowinning and electrorefining processes.

Technical Description of Traceability System (in spanish)(PDF: 1.1 MB)

Tracking allows decision-makers to:

• Correlate the quality of the copper production with flaws in the permanent cathodes or cells.
• Locate the origin of process flaws based on production metrics.  This tool allows for an fact-based planning of maintenance of both permanent cathodes and cells.  This information can be used to focus the plant’s resources to the key process indicators (KPI).
• Increase process knowledge.

The system was developed with the support of a grant from Innova Chile – CORFO.