In 1992, a computer program called AIRNET 2000 was developed for MIM by Craig Stewart for MS-DOS desktop computers to import and graphically present and simulate models created on the mainframe ventilation system. Encouraged by the positive feedback from AIRNET 2000, permission was sought by Stewart to independently develop new software for Microsoft Windows called ‘Ventsim’. In exchange for the IP rights, MIM was given unrestricted use of the software.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s new graphical features were added to the software incorporating true 3D representation and graphical rotation of mine ventilation models, as well as new simulation features such as contaminant simulation.

The final version of Ventsim Classic (version 3.9) was released in 2007, by which time the majority of Australian mines and universities had adopted it.

In 2008, Stewart formed Chasm Consulting to exclusively develop a new version of Ventsim software from the ground up. In mid-2009, the new software program ‘Ventsim Visual’ underwent beta testing at a number of consulting companies and mines and in 2010 the software was released for world-wide distribution, gaining considerable success in Australian and overseas markets.

Ventsim continues to be developed to reflect changes in the computing environment as well as the changing needs of the mine ventilation community. A good example has been the inclusion of auxiliary ventilation routines and mine climate prediction within a single computer package. It is a true example of how Australian mining engineers and the Australian mining industry are and have been at the forefront of modern and innovative mining research and practical application for a number of years.

Last year, 2017, Howden acquired Chasm Consulting and its widely used Ventsim software. This year Chasm released its latest version – Ventsim DESIGN 5.0! This is a major upgrade to Ventsim 4, and includes many new features and improvements.