Tag Archives: MAXTA

PETRA creates new portal for pit-to-port, mine-to-mill optimisation software

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PETRA has launched a new portal for its MAXTA suite of pit-to-port and mine-to-mill optimisation software applications as it looks to provide further “mining value chain optimisation” across the sector.

MAXTA Portal supports customers by providing a single log-in access to all their models across multiple operations and along the entire value chain, the company says.

MAXTA software allows engineers to predict, simulate and optimise mining processes. By virtually “re-mining” the orebody, MAXTA machine-learning models provide high accuracy inputs to mine planning (eg dig rates, crusher downtime and throughputs), while the mathematical optimisation layer shows drill and blast engineers and metallurgists which design and setpoints provide the best performance for the specific ore being blasted, or processed, PETRA says.

“A major challenge with mine-to-mill and pit-to-port in mining in the past has been sustaining the value generation beyond six months to a year,” PETRA said. “MAXTA software is a packaged, supported and contextualised solution for mine-to-mill and pit-to-port value chain optimisation. It is designed to support operations by working seamlessly with existing day-to-day workflows and integrates with widely used mine planning and processing applications.”

PETRA claims to be the first company to deliver a software solution addressing this challenge, with MAXTA now delivering “huge value” to mining companies and being used every day by engineers on site.

In response to the need for larger, more complex mining value chain optimisation PETRA recently launched an all-new portal for MAXTA at a launch event in Perth, Western Australia.

MAXTA Portal features an updated way to access all MAXTA Suite applications which build mine-to-mill and pit-to-port value generation into operations, PETRA says.

“Designed with the engineer in mind, it’s modern human-centric user interface is fluid and intuitive,” the company added.

“What this means for users is a more streamlined and efficient experience which can be easily applied across very large, very complex operations,” PETRA said. “MAXTA applications within the suite are capable of fast, accurate predictions, block by block, for an entire orebody and how the downstream value chain processes will behave for various geologies. MAXTA offers one interface for all users across the value chain to target specific areas or processes, even across multiple sites.”

The MAXTA launch also saw the user interface for MAXTAGeomet and MAXTADrill&Blast updated to provide more visualisation and interaction with data, the company said. All MAXTA applications are also now integrated closely with Maptek’s Vulcan mine planning software to facilitate easy and accurate use of the MAXTA results in day-to-day planning, design and decision making, PETRA added.

PETRA Data Science opens Perth office

IoT, Mining maintenance, Mining people, Mining services, Mining software, ,

In order to support a “rapidly growing customer base in Western Australia”, PETRA Data Science has opened a new office in the state capital, Perth.

The announcement of the new office, at Central Park, St Georges Terrace, comes at the same time as the MAXTA digital twin solutions provider appointed a Head of Partnerships and Strategic Growth, Leon Morgan.

Morgan (pictured on the right), to be based in the new Perth location, comes to PETRA with a rich background in business development and consulting in the technology and professional services sectors, the company said.

“Having worked with small businesses and international organisations, Leon’s strength is in building and facilitating partnerships that help industry collaborate, innovate and grow together,” PETRA added.

Morgan commented: “I am truly excited to be working with the PETRA team, and I look forward to working alongside customers and partners to add ongoing value and help build innovative solutions to some of the industries’ most complex challenges.”

Maptek, PETRA Data Science combine mine schedule optimisation and digital twin expertise

Automation, Comminution of minerals, Explosives and blasting, IoT, Mine surveying, Mineral exploration, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , , ,

In what is claimed to be an industry first, Maptek and PETRA Data Science have established a partnership to enable “seamless value chain optimisation and simulation” from resource models through to metal produced.

This development will allow mining companies, for the first time, to use millions of tonnes of their historical performance and resource metadata for dynamic optimisation, according to the two companies.

PETRA Managing Director, Penny Stewart (pictured, left), said: “I see Maptek as the go-to company for spatial data in mining. Whether you are looking at their 3D virtual environments for geological modelling and mine optimisation, or long-range laser scanners for 3D mapping and monitoring, every aspect is custom built for mining. Any true digital twin in mining needs to consider geology.”

She continued: “Our partnership with Maptek provides PETRA with easy access to upstream geological data for value chain optimisation, and enables Maptek to extend schedule optimisation downstream of the mine. For the first time, miners will be able to play forward the mine schedule into the processing plant.”

Stewart recently visited the Maptek R&D facility in Adelaide, South Australia, where she listened as the Manufacturing Manager explained how in response to customer requests, they have shed 4 kg off the weight of their scanners, she said.

“The custom-built innovations incorporating aerospace technology and military grade specs are really impressive. I mention this example because it illustrates Maptek’s laser focus on their mining customers, and this is strongly aligned with PETRA’s reason for being.”

She concluded: “As a mining engineer, I know that Maptek’s reputation for maintaining substantial investment in software and hardware for spatial data is second to none. I feel honoured that Maptek has chosen to partner with PETRA, and the whole PETRA team is excited by what this partnership will achieve for the mining industry!”

The integrated technology offerings of PETRA and Maptek cover solutions from geological modelling to plant and process optimisation and simulation. The partnership combines deep domain expertise from across the whole value chain and, together, PETRA and Maptek offer the industry a practical alternative to the common practice of siloed optimisation, according to the two companies.

Under the partnership, Maptek Evolution mine schedule optimisation will be dynamically linked to PETRA’s latest digital twin performance models including; metal produced, grade, quality, recovery and throughput. “Dynamic mine scheduling is made possible by bringing together Maptek optimisation engines and PETRA’s prediction and simulation algorithms,” they said.

The agreement will see Maptek BlastLogic blast design optimisation also benefit from dynamic links to PETRA digital twin models for loading, crushing and grinding. In addition, PETRA MAXTA digital twin blast design simulation will benefit from connection to BlastLogic historical drill and blast design data.

Stewart will continue to drive the growth and development of PETRA solutions, with Maptek Managing Director, Peter Johnson (pictured, right), appointed to the PETRA Advisory Board. “PETRA will continue to operate a platform-agnostic business model, with investment funds channelled into further development of PETRA’s open format integrations, including APIs and architecture,” the companies said.

Peter Johnson said Maptek’s goal to enable customers to realise greater value from the available mine data requires consideration of a context far beyond the orebody model and mine plan.

“We need to empower our customers to relate the performance and characteristics of processes and equipment far downstream from geology or planning assumptions and understand the relationships better,” he said.

“PETRA has a proven capability to create prediction and optimisation algorithms for miners through the innovative application of their data science expertise and experience in the real world,” he added.

He concluded: “Our investment and ongoing partnership is all about building business improvement into the mining cycle by leveraging the technology of both companies.”

PETRA’s algorithms are deployed by mining companies around the world, while its MAXTA digital twins for value chain optimisation ingest 10s of millions of tonnes of ore data to predict and simulate plant performance using machine learning. The latter have been successfully used for geometallurgical prediction, drill and blast simulation, and process control simulation and optimisation.

The company recently applied its big data and AI capabilities to an iron ore mine in Western Australia, which, according to PETRA Technical Director, Zeljka Pokrajcic, was able to demonstrate the link between the mineral resource and comminution.