Hexagon Mining and Colorado School of Mines (Mines) have signed a master partnership agreement. The contract heralds renewed collaboration on numerous projects under way or planned. These include a new scholarship program for students, research collaboration, and using Mines’ experimental underground mine for testing Hexagon Mining technology.

“We are committed to the miners of tomorrow and our agreement with Mines embodies this commitment,” said Hexagon Mining President, Helio Samora. “It culminates a year of discussions and we are already pursuing some exciting projects.” Mines’ Edgar Experimental Underground Mine was the scene of one of those projects recently. Using a Leica P40 laser scanner, staff scanned the mine in high definition. The data collected is now being used in students’ training on MineSight, Hexagon Mining’s mine planning software system.

The agreement renews a tradition of collaboration initiated by Fred Banfield, the founder of MineSight, a Mines’ alumnus, and major philanthropic contributor to Mines. “We are excited about this partnership with Hexagon Mining because we share a common vision for how information and intelligent technologies will transform mining,” said Colorado School of Mines President, Paul Johnson. “In partnership, we can be at the forefront of that change, and in the process, ensure that Mines’ graduates will continue to be the leaders in the industry.”