Evaluation of the Effects of Coal Jigging by Means of Kruskal–Wallis and Friedman Tests

Coal beneficiation processes are often based on gravitational enrichment techniques. Therefore, various types of jigs are often used in this area. A number of factors determine the quality of the final product. Therefore, proper and systematic monitoring of such a process is necessary. The present work examined the effect of the hutch water amount and the amount of processed coal (system capacity) on the yield and ash grade in individual density–size fractions. A statistical method in the form of the Kruskal–Wallis test and the Friedman test was used to evaluate the process. These tests were proposed as universal and reliable alternatives to classical analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis. The performed analysis allowed for the determination of what process conditions should be selected in order to obtain certain effects. Therefore, it allowed us to apply certain combinations of hutch water amount, system capacity and particle characteristics to maximize the expected effects. The application of statistical analysis methods in the form of Kruskal–Wallis and Friedman tests to evaluate process efficiency creates new possibilities to monitor and optimize the jigging process in both context of amount and quality of final product and is very important not only for mining enterprise but also from an environmental point of view.