Abstract: Multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) systems can be found in many industrial
processes, including mining processes. In practice, these systems are difficult to control due to the
interactions of their input variables and the inherent uncertainty of industrial processes. Depending
on the interactions in the MIMO process, different control strategies can be implemented to achieve
the desired performance. Among these strategies is the use of a decentralized structure that considers
several subsystems and for which a SISO controller can be designed. In this study, a methodology
based on global sensitivity analysis (GSA) to design decentralized control structures for industrial
processes under uncertainty is presented. GSA has not yet been applied for this purpose in process
control; it allows us to understand the dynamic behavior of systems under uncertainty in a broad
value range, unlike approaches proposed in the literature. The proposed GSA is based on the Sobol
method, which provides sensitivity indices used as interaction measures to establish the input–output
pairing for MIMO systems. Two case studies based on a semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill
and a solvent extraction (SX) plant are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed
methodology. The results indicate that the methodology allows the design of 2  2 and 3  3
decentralized control structures for the SAG mill and SX plant, respectively, which exhibit good
performance compared to MPC. For example, for the SAG mill, the determined pairings were fresh
ore flux/fraction of mill filling and power consumption/percentage of critical speed.

Abstract: Minerals and metals are essential to the economic and social development of our society,
and they are critical to modern life. The continuous exploitation of mineral resources has led to a
large amount of waste, which has a large impact on the environment. One of the main streams of
wastes in mining is mine tailings, which are produced in mineral processing plants. The mining
industry must enhance its contribution to achieving sustainable development by incorporating the
sustainable development goals into its operations. The objective of this article is to define targets
and indicators for mine tailings management to achieve the sustainable development goals, defined
in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the United Nations. The result of this study is
a collection of indicators proposed to measure the progress of mine tailings management towards
sustainable development.