Case Study: Mosaic Corporation boosts Wingate Mine recovery rates with Minitab Statistical Software

Putting the Pieces Together Mosaic Corporation's Wingate Mine

Mosaic Corporation, the world’s leading producer of potash and phosphate crop nutrients, was struggling to keep its Wingate phosphate mine viable because rock recovery was only 47 percent, far below industry norms. To improve productivity and uncover the cause of poor performance, the company turned to Minitab and Minitab Statistical Software as part of a Lean Six Sigma initiative.

Using Minitab’s capability analysis, design of experiments, Gage R&R, variance testing, and control charts, the team analyzed the beneficiation process, tested improvement ideas, and verified results. Within 30 days, recovery rose to over 68 percent and eventually above 80 percent, driving more than a 50 percent increase in concentrate phosphate rock production and an estimated $12 million in annual financial impact.

Mosaic Corporation

Joe Gliksman

Six Sigma Black Belts