Tag Archives: Hexagon

Hexagon’s Mining and Autonomy & Positioning divisions to combine expertise

Automation, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , ,

Hexagon at HxGN LIVE Global 2023, in Las Vegas, has announced that its Mining and Autonomy & Positoning divisions have joined forces to enable more automation at scale, and ease and speed of application.

The announcement, coming at the Intelligent Mining Summit, was made by Nick Hare, President, Hexagon’s Mining division, and Maria Luthström, President, Hexagon’s Autonomy & Positioning division.

“We’re bringing together our best solutions…to enable autonomy at scale; make it simple to implement and make it (automation) easy to use,” Hare said.

The formation of Hexagon’s new autonomous solutions partnership aims to create the world’s largest provider of autonomous solutions for off-road, heavy industries, according to Hare.

The company’s Autonomy & Positioning division leverages positioning technology and products from its brands NovAtel, AutonomouStuff and VERIPOS to, it says, bring together cutting-edge positioning solutions for applications that require autonomy and positioning. Its positioning solutions are already being used across mining for many applications.

Hexagon’s Mining division introduces new features to software suite

IoT, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , ,

Hexagon’s Mining division has introduced a new innovative block model management solution to its HxGN MinePlan solution, seeking to address the complex challenges associated with orebody data management.

This release will introduce HxGN MinePlan Block Model Manager, which enables users to quickly populate, manage and share block models from HxGN MinePlan 3D and third-party systems.

One of the key features of HxGN MinePlan Block Model Manager is its new API, which simplifies integration with other systems enabling data interoperability, according to the company. This means users no longer need to manually import or export block model data, streamlining the process and saving valuable time.

To remain at the forefront of technology changes, Hexagon says it is continuously modernising MinePlan, ensuring it remains a leading-edge solution that fits seamlessly into the modern digital ecosystems its clients are investing in, making it adaptable to changing needs.

Among other new features included within Hexagon’s Mining division latest releases are an enhancement of the MinePlan 3D Auto Cut Generation tool to allow for batch configuration of cut parameters. This will allow planning engineers to configure the cut parameters for all their pits in the first step of their workflow and run the batch of cut operations in the next step, according to the company.

In the HxGN MinePlan Geosciences Suite release, the company has included the ability to back-code geologic solids to drill holes, creating new intervals that the solids intersect. This has been a long-requested feature that will better enable field exploration planning, support superior reconciliation of geologic domain models and improve geostatistics resolution, according to Hexagon’s Mining division.

The results of MinePlan Geologic can be coded to drill holes. Users can validate results of coding operations in MinePlan 3D

The company’s HxGN MinePlan GeoLogic implicit modelling solution has also further undergone several enhancements, which will result in more realistic geologic models in complex geological settings, particularly in environments with complex faulting, the company says.

Lastly, in the HxGN MinePlan Schedule Optimizer solution, users will now be able to restrict the availability of roads by phase and elevation, while road availability by bench elevation has been added to allow further control of material routing. Alongside this, the software developers have included the ability to update the model location without resetting the schedule, allowing the user to define the new file path of a block model without having to reset the schedule, if the block model is moved to a new location. This will enable users to use the latest features in MinePlan Schedule Optimizer, such as destination coding if they need to move their block model to a new location, the company says.

MinePlan Schedule Optimizer also no longer requires users to set the destination ramps in a specific direction (from source to destination), eliminating unnecessary setup requirements.

Road availability can be toggled by segment and bench elevation in MinePlan Haulage

And, now that MinePlan Schedule Optimizer supports shovel scheduling, additional equipment information fields have been added, providing more comprehensive reporting, Hexagon’s Mining division said.

Lastly, on the HxGN Mineplan Activity Scheduler, Process Points – a destination type that can perform basic or complex calculations – allows users to model complex routing scenarios, such as routing by material type or pebble rejects sorting point for the mill. Blending Optimized Layers is a module inside MinePlan Activity Scheduler that allows the user to blend material coming from different sources to hit tonnage, volume and grade targets.

These two features can now work together, according to the company, providing a “great addition” for operations that needs to model complex routing scenarios and hit blending targets at the same time.

HxGN MinePlan Activity Scheduler works with three different types of volumes: BCM (Bench Cubic Metres), LCM (Loose Cubic Metres), and HCM (Haul Cubic Metres). MinePlan users can now run a blending scenario maximising HCM and LCM volume and using HCM and LCM as constraints, it said.

Hexagon’s Mining newly refurbished Lima facility re-opens

Automation, Communications in mining, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, , ,

Hexagon’s Mining division has announced the grand reopening of its Lima office, following several months of renovations to modernise the facility.

The office at Centro Empresarial Polo Hunt, Av. La Encalada 1388, Oficinas 501 – 502. Santiago de Surco, Lima, Perú, was reopened on March 3, 2023.

The facility has been completely modernised to provide a comfortable and productive workspace for employees and clients. The renovations included a complete overhaul of the interior design, an expanded monitoring centre and a newly created hardware maintenance and repair space.

“Our goal was to create a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, and we believe we have achieved this with the new design,” Jorge Garrido, General Manager – Andean Region of Hexagon’s Mining division, said.

Local clients and business partners were invited to join the office for a special open house event on March 3 with the opportunity to tour the new facility, meet with team members and hear technology presentations.

“This reopening marks a new chapter for our business in Peru and we are excited to continue serving our clients from our newly renovated office,” Garrido said. “We believe this investment will have a positive impact on our work environment, productivity and overall satisfaction of our employees and clients.”

IDS GeoRadar widens rockfall radar support with latest RockSpot update

Mine surveying, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , ,

IDS GeoRadar, part of Hexagon, has announced a new software update for RockSpot, its innovative radar system able to locate, track and notify on rockfalls.

RockSpot’s latest software release expands the data analysis performance with new tools supporting an efficient rockfall risk zonation, TARP fine tuning and back analysis to reduce operational and geotechnical risks, according to the company. The new multiple statistical tools allow users to manipulate the events database and plot custom charts based on defined areas and items – such as event rate, duration/area extension, velocity and run out distance of rockfall – for a comprehensive back analysis, models calibration, integrity of rockfall controls and design change justification.

Rockfalls are a major safety threat in open-pit operations. The sudden onset of rockfall events makes it difficult for conventional monitoring methods to provide adequate pre-warning and a comprehensive analysis, resulting in a challenge for mine operators and planners.

RockSpot is, according to IDS, the industry’s first end-to-end solution able to trigger notifications on rockfalls in real time and to maximise rockfall hazard management, providing an explorable rockfall database for back analysis and an automatic classification of falling events.

This compact and powerful radar picks up falling rocks in near to real time and working crews receive prompt notification for action along with immediate access to all event’s details that are tracked, stored and classified in a rockfall events database.

IDS concluded: “RockSpot provides 24/7 continuous monitoring night and day to actively support in sync risk management with real-time notifications and improves risk mitigation and planning operations with multiple statistical tools to analyse the collected data for cost reductions in mitigation measures.”

Hexagon and BUMA successfully deploy fleet management solution in Indonesia

Automation, Coal technology, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , ,

Hexagon’s Mining division says it has been awarded an eight-year fleet management project by PT Bukit Makmur Mandiri Utama (BUMA) in Indonesia.

As part of this project, Hexagon successfully deployed 150 units of HxGN MineOperate OP Pro to BUMA’s IPR site operation in Indonesia with the system optimally running within three months, the company said.

The phased deployment covers Hexagon’s fleet management, asset health and enterprise analytics solutions implemented by the Hexagon team on site from June to September 2022.

BUMA was established in 1998 as a family business and is currently the second largest independent coal mining contractor in Indonesia.

Delta Dunia Makmur acquired BUMA in 2009 and has since been overhauling it into a more streamlined corporation. It holds approximately 20% of the market share and provides coal mining services to many of Indonesia’s largest and longest-running names in the coal industry, according to Hexagon’s Mining division.

Simon Stone, Vice President of APAC, Hexagon’s Mining division, said: “We are looking forward to strengthening our relationship with BUMA and accelerating their digital transformation journey. Like BUMA, Hexagon firmly believes in safety and efficiency, which makes this partnership and collaboration highly valuable to both parties.”

HxGN MineOperate OP Pro, the company says, offers open-pit mines high-precision guidance for dozers, drills and loading equipment. The solution improves bench elevations, reduces dilution and decreases rework to improve site safety, efficiency and profitability. Hexagon’s enterprise integration enables BUMA a single source for reporting and support across their fleet.

PT Bukit Makmur Mandiri Utama President Director, Pak Sorimuda Pulungan, said: “In following management’s Technology Transformation Project outline, Hexagon’s suite of integrated products and industry proven technology solutions played a major role in the decision-making process. Hexagon has set the new standard of being a reliable technology partner supported by an expert local team.”

IDS GeoRadar out to improve productivity in radar slope monitoring with Hi-Sense

IoT, Mine surveying, Mining equipment, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, , , , ,

IDS GeoRadar, part of Hexagon, has launched the new Hi-Sense algorithm for Guardian, IDS GeoRadar’s software for slope monitoring.

Hi-Sense is the new state-of-the-art algorithm, embedded in Guardian software, aimed at improving productivity in radar slope monitoring.

The company explained: “Fast-changing atmospheric conditions are the greatest challenge in slope monitoring and IDS GeoRadar was the first to introduce on the mining market an advanced management of atmospherics. With the new Hi-Sense algorithm the management of atmospherics in radar slope monitoring is furtherly up-scaled to provide the cleanest view on displacements, even in challenging weather conditions.”

With the new Hi-Sense algorithm, effects introduced by fast-changing meteorological conditions, such as stormy weather, are processed with unparalleled fidelity, facilitating the interpretation of data and improving productivity in radar slope monitoring: reduced false positives and extended sensitivity to a wider range of movement trends, the company explained.

Even in fast-changing atmospheric conditions, Hi-Sense can support users providing the cleanest data output on radar maps, enhancing the possibility to anticipate the detection of instabilities and leading to an improved risk management in radar slope monitoring, according to IDS GeoRadar.

Hexagon’s Mining division progresses to Power of One platform implementation

Automation, Communications in mining, Explosives and blasting, IoT, Mining events, Mining software, , , , , ,

Hexagon’s Mining division says its Power of One platform, a holistic, life-of-mine smart solution connecting sensors, software, in-field apps and cloudware, is now available and ready to implement.

This technology, the company says, connects the mine to the boardroom via a single onboard ecosystem comprising a smart computer, antenna and display. It helps empower customers’ digital transformation, connecting key mining workflows for a safer, more productive and sustainable future.

Hexagon unveiled the platform at HxGN LIVE Global, Hexagon’s digital reality solutions conference, taking place in Las Vegas, on June 20-23.

It follows the platform’s introduction at MINExpo 2021, in September, when Nick Hare, Hexagon’s Mining division President, said it marked the next step in Hexagon’s convergence journey and the “fulfilment of a commitment to connect all parts of a mine”.

Harnessing data from multiple sensors in a simple and consolidated software architecture, the platform helps mines to become situationally aware, self-learning and autonomously connected in the field and in the cloud.

For the customer, the platform offers an effortless experience with a seamless UI/UX and consistent functionality, according to the company. Reduced cost of ownership, reduced deployment and training time, reduced supply chain complexity and increased operator adoption are just some of the platform’s many benefits.

“The Power of One platform is a landmark enabler for next-generation autonomy,” Hare said. “It offers mines a uniquely intelligent approach based on open architecture to autonomously connect key mining ecosystems, such as exploration, planning, drill and blast, material movement and mine monitoring.

“It’s the scalable, platform-agnostic answer to challenges previously addressed by point solutions and multiple vendors.”

Rob Daw, Hexagon’s Mining division Chief Innovation Officer, described the platform as unique and profoundly disruptive.

“For the first time, one technology partner connects the mine to the boardroom via a single onboard ecosystem comprising a smart computer, antenna and display,” he said.

At MINExpo 2021, the company also debuted its new MineMeasure solution, part of Power of One, which streamlines a range of drill & blast technologies in one seamless workflow.

Hexagon’s Mining division updates mine planning software suite

Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , , ,

Hexagon’s Mining division has added to the capabilities of its mine planning software, HxGN MinePlan, with a new release that, it says, brings new functionality to MinePlan 3D, MinePlan Schedule Optimizer and MinePlan Project Evaluator, along with vast improvements in performance and speed.

MinePlan 3D is the hub of all Hexagon’s mine planning tools and activities, with the latest release improving performance and responding to customer feedback, the company said.

The new reserves engine is now integrated into the Autoslicer tool, allowing users to select between legacy and new reserve logic setups to slice by tonnes as a target. This allows users to quickly generate shapes to help meet planning requirements.

The new reserves engine can be used in the Pit Expander, enabling users to select between legacy and new reserve logic setups to run bench reserves while designing a pit. Audit pit reserves during the design process, meanwhile, ensure best design and comparison with strategic pit optimization.

MinePlan Schedule Optimizer (MPSO) ensures optimal scheduling with great detail, with Hexagon enabling mid-range planning and hybrid scheduling, combining optimal and manual scheduling.

Block Schedule Coding is a new feature which allows users to code back MPSO period and destination schedule results to the block model. This reconciles optimisation and operational models and assists in pre-targeting material for short-range planning and grade control.

Shovel Control (screenshot, pictured) assigns shovels to areas, phases, benches and cuts in advanced constraints. Users can limit the number of shovels applied to a given cut per period. This will help generate more operational schedules by controlling shovel allocation and movement, the company says.

Improved with speed and greater performance, MinePlan Project Evaluator ensures a user’s long-term plan starts with an economically optimised shell.

The ability to skip invalid cases in a task with multiple runs allows multi-case runs to continue regardless of invalid cases, and without the need to monitor process time, the company says.

Users can also now limit their pit optimisation by an existing surface, speeding up run time for optimisation as fewer blocks will need to be analysed.

Hexagon’s Mining division launches HxGN MineMeasure Detect fragmentation solution

Comminution of minerals, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , ,

Hexagon’s Mining division says it has strengthened its leadership in production material monitoring and measurement by introducing HxGN MineMeasure Detect, a 3D camera hardware, software and data solution.

MineMeasure Detect enables real-time optimisation for plant production with automated digital-image analysis that offers continuous, accurate and rapid measurement of oversize, volume, rock fragmentation and colour analysis, the company says.

The solution has already been trialled at the Pinto Valley copper mine, in the US, owned by Capstone Mining.

Mines demand consistent, predictable, high-volume production with plants intended to operate 24/7, it explained. Changing geologic mineral and structural conditions within mining benches can sometimes mean oversize particles block crushers, chutes and conveyors. Blockages can halt operations, in severe cases resulting in lost operational revenues worth millions of dollars.

MineMeasure Detect minimises production interruptions and costly downtime with oversize detection of large particles, according to Hexagon’s Mining division. It enhances production efficiencies and reconciliation by calculating volume, density and tonnage. Advanced detection reveals an aggregate of previously unmeasured ancillary variables, such as material density and hardness, which are essential to throughput maximisation and ore liberation.

The company added: “The solution’s fragmentation analysis capabilities enable continuous monitoring and improvement of production throughput while managing costs. Industry-leading research and proven algorithms for direct measurements of particle identification and fines identification set MineMeasure Detect apart for its measurement accuracy in mineral processing. It includes the largest set of data availability applied across the international mining industry.

“Colour-analysis data for ore detection empowers operators with additional opportunities to adjust material handling, material blending, clay detection and ore treatment recipes.”

James Dampney, VP-MineMeasure, Hexagon’s Mining division, said: “MineMeasure Detect is built on more than 25 years’ experience partnering with international mining operations, allowing systems to be fully integrated with customer technologies. Combined with our fragmentation tools, the solution’s immediate detection capabilities offer a critical early warning for operators to avoid catastrophic production stoppages.

“With its image-analysis techniques ensuring that fragmentation is managed and optimised, MineMeasure Detect fits seamlessly in the MineMeasure portfolio, which delivers scrutiny and transparency in every step of the ore extraction journey.”

To see HxGN MineMeasure Detect in action at Capstone Copper’s Pinto Valley Mine, click here.

IDS GeoRadar adds artificial intelligence layer to slope stability monitoring process

Automation, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, , , , ,

IDS GeoRadar, part of Hexagon, has announced a new solution for geotechnical professionals that, it says, pioneers the introduction of artificial intelligence in slope stability monitoring – Ai.DA, the AI-based software monitoring tool for Guardian.

Ai.DA is an artificial intelligence-based software tool providing an additional smart processing layer to radar data. Ai.DA, through the use of algorithms, simplifies the identification of movements from possible residual noise by evaluating the consistency of the detected movement trend with typical slope instabilities behaviours and models, helping professionals to optimise processes and take better decisions, IDS says.

Ai.DA is an intelligent support to radar data interpretation and is fully integrated with Guardian, IDS GeoRadar’s software to manage slope stability risks in both open-pit mining operations and natural geo-hazards. Guardian’s processed radar data is automatically pushed to Ai.DA providing an additional smart processing layer that highlights quick moving areas through an intuitive interface with a clear and detailed view on a 3D map.

Ai.DA can provide simultaneous data processing of radar data originating from one to six different radars and
highlights timely localised and quick moving areas, which are often difficult to manage, for improved decision making, the company says.

“With Ai.DA, we are pioneering the use of artificial intelligence in slope stability monitoring, and we commit to providing customers with state-of-the-art technology solutions to support radar data interpretation,” Angela Patera, Guardian Product Owner at IDS GeoRadar, said. “Interpreting the big amount of available data is the new challenge for geotechnical engineers and Ai.DA represents a valuable support to this demanding task.”