In 2011, MineRP Solutions set the following goals regarding the development of a new version of Mine2-4D: replace the aging technology of Mine2-4D v12; refine and enhance key features of the software; provide a more logical, standardised and satisfying user experience; and communicate and collaborate with the market to produce an optimal solution. The company states: “Collaboration with the market has not only involved engaging with users on what they would like to see in Mine2-4D 2012, but also the delivery of a BETA version, to be used for hands-on evaluation of developed functionality.”

Mine2-4D 2012 BETA has now been released and is ready for testing. Mine2-4D 2012 uses SQL with a new graphics engine, rather than MS Access Databases. The new look and feel includes a context sensitive ribbon interface providing key functions in a single click, with the Properties window enabling instant access to view and edit properties of selected objects. The user interface is further improved with standardised dialog boxes and the combination of visualiser and design windows into a single design view.

The creation of Automatic Dependency Rules has been vastly improved, with the ability to set up complex search geometries that can be visualised in the Search Geometry interface. Streamlined processes will result in a faster and easier transition between Design Solids and the EPS Schedule. The first BETA release allows the user to import existing Mine2-4D v12 projects into the new system, evaluate solids against a block model, sequence them and send them to EPS for scheduling.

With a direct conversion from v12, the BETA release imports the following data from Mine2-4D v12:

• Design polyfaces (wireframes), strings and points
• Design Definitions
• Filters
• Attributes and attribute setup settings
• Legends
• Properties
• Dependency layers and dependencies
• Defined activity settings and points
• Derived activity settings and points
• Evaluation rules
• Automatic dependency rules