Tag Archives: Micromine

Micromine 2020 to assist mine planning operations with Stope Optimiser

Explosives and blasting, IoT, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , ,

The launch of MICROMINE’s latest version of leading exploration and 3D mine design solution, Micromine 2020 will see the introduction of new stope optimisation functionality, according to the mining software leader.

The new edition is due for release in November and, with Micromine 2020 not only including innovative upgrades to existing modules, but also new functionality added in response to industry needs, according to Gordon Thomas, Micromine Technical Product Manager.

“One of the new modules specifically caters to the needs of underground mine planners looking to optimise mine design to ensure project profitability. Micromine 2020 builds on the success of our Pit Optimisation module and provides an equivalent strategic planning tool for underground mining operations,” Thomas said.

Unlike many competing products, Micromine 2020’s Stope Optimiser uses integrated mathematical programming to produce optimum 3D solutions, instead of stitching together 2D results produced using approximate methods, according to Thomas. This allows it to identify regions within a resource model that can be mined profitably using designs for a range of potential stoping methods. It also assists mine planners in selecting the most profitable combination of method, stope design and mine life.

MICROMINE said: “Suitable for all planning horizons, Stope Optimiser generates the best possible stope outlines that satisfy design and economic parameters. It can also generate optimum dig-lines to suit minimum mining widths for open-pit mining, making it a great tool for open-pit grade control and mining operations too.”

Maximise profits

Stope optimisation plays a pivotal role in underground mine planning and design. The feasibility and ultimate profitability of a mine depend on optimising the layout of the stopes and minimising the cost of the infrastructure required to access and mine those stopes. Proper integration of stope optimisation into a mine’s planning will result in stopes yielding the highest possible return for the given resource model. “That’s why the best possible stope optimisation tools are a necessity, not a luxury for today’s mine planners,” the company said.

According to MICROMINE, Stope Optimiser provides all the tools mine planners need to determine the maximum possible profit for an underground mining operation.

Thomas explained: “The advanced automated stope design tool in Micromine 2020 generates the optimal configuration of stopes to maximise the discounted value of future cash flows, subject to inherent physical, geotechnical and geological constraints over the lifespan of underground mining operations.”

Stope Optimiser assists in optimising the size of a mining operation based on net present value by providing full support for standard long-term planning methodology with provision for mining, processing and sales rates, start-up costs, capital injection and discounted cash flow analysis, according to the company.

“By identifying the most profitable regions for stoping, Stope Optimiser helps mine planners ensure the best utilisation and management of the human and financial resources involved in an underground mining project,” the company said.

Recognising that an optimal layout or 3D spatial distribution of stopes guarantees the maximum profitability over the lifespan of an underground mining operation, Stope Optimiser aims to give mine planners a competitive edge, MICROMINE said.

Saving time and improving selectivity in underground stope design are other key benefits the software provides, according to MICROMINE.

Using the resource block model, minimum stope dimensions, stope orientation, processing options and economic parameters, Stope Optimiser can automatically produce stope shapes that take into account stope geometry together with geological and geotechnical restraints, according to the company. This means mine planners can optimise the stope boundary by fine-tuning desired stope shapes.

The new module automatically generates the highest value stope solids across a wide range of mining method geometries and orebody types, delivering strategic stope designs and pillar location optimisation against complex orebodies. Key features include:

  • The built-in material flow model, which supports material bins can be defined using simple filters or complex expressions. It also derives block optimisation values, which can also be calculated externally and pre-assigned to blocks;
  • Zone and region support – specifies where stopes should be confined to or excluded from using zones defined by polygons/wireframes, and applies different design parameters to multiple regions; and
  • Stope functionality – accepts sizes and orientations of minimum stopes and minimum pillar width, in addition to overlaps minimum stope sizes as required to form larger mining areas to satisfy minimum mineable shapes. At the same time, this functionality constrains stopes to planes, digital terrain models and centreline strings with the option to anchor planes and digital terrain models to a reference point and replicate at regular elevation levels.

Thomas said: “Stope Optimiser allows mine planners to optimise the stope design while satisfying physical mining constraints and maximising the profit from operations.”

Strategic outputs

The stope wireframes and reports generated by the Stope Optimiser functionality facilitate strategic and tactical mine planning, according to the company.

“Stope Optimiser automates stoping design for a range of methods used in underground mines, enabling mine planners to quickly analyse stoping methods and parameters for a defined geological block model to maximise the value of the orebody and develop a strategic plan assessed against a variety of approaches and constraints,” the company said.

Feasibility studies for underground operations can be performed, while also allowing the investigation of stoping frameworks and economic scenarios. Stope Optimiser’s integration with other Micromine modules also provides time and money savings as the outputs can be used in other applications, like scheduling.

“The stope wireframes generated can be directly incorporated into the mine planning process to create the optimum solution, while a full suite of reports can be created to facilitate post-processing and analysis of all input parameters, block processing outcomes and generated stopes,” MICROMINE said.

Reports can be customised, summarised and have unit conversions applied using Micromine’s new Report Generator. Reports integrate with Microsoft Excel and Business Intelligence software, enabling pivot tables and other post-processing datasets to be used.

Seamless integration

Designed for both open-pit grade control and mining, and underground mine planning, the Stope Optimiser seamlessly integrates with the suite of Micromine modules.

Accessible from one integrated platform, Micromine’s integrated tools for modelling, estimation, design, optimisation and scheduling all “talk” to each other, enabling easy data transfer and compatibility, MICROMINE said.

“Stope Optimiser is fully compatible with the Micromine Pit Optimisation module, sharing many common parameters. And, since they share the same concepts and workflow, proficiency with one module translates to proficiency with the other – saving time and money.

Micromine 2020 is due for release in November and in addition to the new Stope Optimiser, it will include advances in the Implicit Modelling and Pit Optimisation modules, and new Report Generator with full support for user-defined fields and unit conversions.

MICROMINE ups drill and blast ante in Micromine 2020

Explosives and blasting, IoT, Mining services, Mining software, , , ,

MICROMINE is looking to improve the accuracy and precision of drill and blast operations with its soon to be launched Micromine 2020 software.

The latest edition of the leading exploration and 3D mine design software solution will include a series of truly innovative Ring Design tools, the company said.

Micromine 2020 Ring Design, which will be released in November, offers highly accurate, intuitive and sophisticated ring design planning tools which enable engineers to realise unprecedented levels of control and precision during their design, according to MICROMINE.

It is fully integrated into the Micromine software solution, which is used by more than 1,500 customers worldwide.

Andrew Esmaili, Micromine’s Product Analyst, said: “We all know that ring drilling typically occurs in confined spaces, so it’s vital for design engineers to have an awareness of geometry, mining conditions and drilling equipment. However, the reality is that modern engineers spend more time behind computers and less time in underground workings. This is where our new tools come in.

“If I was trying to describe these tools to someone in a few words I’d say: you’ve probably seen the benefit of proximity sensors on cars. Now think proximity sensors but for underground planners preparing drill plans in confined tunnels. Now, let me elaborate: Micromine’s ring design tool allows planners to define the size and shape of rig(s) being used at a mine. Once that is done, planners can utilise a new utility to apply constraints that ensure that the boom’s range and coverage limits are not inadvertently exceeded during the design process.”

He said users can ensure drill plans are safe and practical by specifying distance constraints that prevent the boom from being positioned too close to the sidewalls of a tunnel. A similar utility can be used to maintain a distance to the floor of a drive – a feature that is particularly important when drilling in rugged surfaces, according to Esmaili.

He conclude: “These new utilities provide interactive feedback to the designer, eliminate guess work, eliminate manual intervention, minimise the probability of downtime and, of course, lead to more precise designs.’’

Micromine 2020’s enhanced ring design allows engineers to easily create, view, edit, mirror, copy or replicate rings, according to the company. Dedicated tools are also available to simplify updating designs as new survey data becomes available.

Users can also generate detailed plots of ring designs with customisation options such as adding annotations, summary tables, legends and graphs.

The Micromine 2020 ring design feature also accepts centrelines and wireframe for underground production drives, while ring boundaries can be defined by hand, using templates, or auto-generated using wireframes.

Better ring design is just one of the new and improved features that engineers and miners can access through Micromine 2020.

The release offers integrated tools for modelling, estimation, design, optimisation and scheduling, with data sets all saved and easily accessible within the Micromine product, the company said.

It also boasts new charting tools, a new Stope Optimiser, an improved scheduler and advances in the Implicit Modelling and Pit Optimiser modules, according to the company.

Nornickel’s digital mine plan taking shape

Automation, Base metals, Communications in mining, IoT, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , , , ,

Norilsk Nickel has recently launched a new operational control centre at its Oktyabrsky mine in Russia, leveraging the underground infrastructure investments the company has made in the past five years across its Polar Division operations as a way to increase its operational efficiency.

The Oktyabrsky centre, which cost around $1.6 million to install, monitors mining operations on a continuous basis, using communications infrastructure and positioning systems to locate equipment and people underground. It is part of the company’s Technology Breakthrough program, a project launched in 2014 to digitise and automate most processes at the company’s extensive mining and processing facilities by 2020.

By the end of 2019, similar operational centres will be built at all Norilsk Nickel Polar Division mines (Skalisty, Komsomolsk, Taimyrsky and Mayak, according to the company, with the five centres set to cost the company around $6.3 million in total.

Norilsk said: “The launch of the operational centre at the Oktyabrsky mine was possible due to long-term work on the creation of underground infrastructure, which was carried out at all of the company’s mines in the Polar Division as part of the ‘Technology Breakthrough’ project.

“The project installed radio communications and positioning systems to locate mining equipment, it also installed fibre-optic communication as well as Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is now available in every mine. Every mine is also equipped with cameras.”

This infrastructure has enabled personnel at these mines to receive real-time data on shift targets without human intervention, according to Norilsk.

In addition to this, the company has developed a “Ten-day shift schedule” software, which helps schedule the work of miners over this period, Norilsk said, explaining: “The planning system’s algorithm distributes the amount of work and equipment per production and shifts, taking into account the cyclical nature of the process and the initial data.”

The use of this software has allowed Norilsk Nickel, in certain cases, to abandon a non-centralised and manual approach to mine planning. “The software functions from a database, which contains information on the performance of all the equipment, mining operations, distances from loading sites to ore chutes and skip shafts, etc,” the company said.

Mining operation plans from different phases and areas at the Oktyabrsky mine are now integrated into a centralised planning system, with the “Ten-day shift schedule” leveraging data from MICROMINE’s exploration and mine design solution, Micromine. This creates a 3D program of the ore being developed, helping optimise the mining methods and sequence of processing reserves.

In reference to the new operational centre, Norilsk said: “Transferring mine operation monitoring, management and planning functions to the operational centre, together with the installation of new technologies, will contribute to a 10% increase in labour productivity.” This will also make it possible to improve both the quality and consistency of the ore mined and shipped to the Talnakh concentrator.

Micromine modelling boosts Piedmont lithium project resource base

Energy minerals, Mineral exploration, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , , ,

Piedmont Lithium has become the latest US-focused exploration company to use Micromine modelling to refine its mineral resource estimate – reporting a 47% increase in the process.

The company is on track to own the US’ largest spodumene orebody, located in the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt, in North Carolina, after increasing the mineral resource estimate to 27.9 Mt grading 1.11% Li2O, with further drilling to come, MICROMINE said.

The Piedmont lithium project is located along trend to the Hallman Beam and Kings Mountain mines, historically providing most of the western world’s lithium from the 1950s through the 1980s.

A scoping study on the project envisaged production of 22,700 t/y of lithium hydroxide over an initial 13-year mine life. This would involve a staged development to minimise up-front capital requirements and equity dilution, with stage 1 coming in at $109 million for the mine/concentrator and by-product circuits. Stage 2, for the chemical plant, would be funded largely by internal cash flow, the company said.

An estimated 74% of the mineral resource is located within 100 m of surface, while some 97% of the resource lies within 150 m of surface, according to MICROMINE. To date, drilling on the project’s 1,004 acre (406 ha) core property consists of 326 holes totaling 51,047 m, with the mineral resource estimate using all 326 holes. In general, drill spacing has ranged between 40 – 80 m, according to Piedmont.

Wireframe models of some 95 pegmatite dykes, a diabase dyke and one fault were created in Micromine by joining polygon interpretations made on cross sections and level plans spaced at 40 m. Weathering profiles, representing the base of saprolite and overburden, were modelled based on drill hole geological logging and a topographic digital terrain model was derived from a 2003 survey, MICROMINE said.

Micromine is an exploration and mine design solution offering integrated tools for modelling, estimation, design, optimisation and scheduling. It provides users with an in-depth understanding of their projects, so prospective regions can be targeted more accurately, increasing the chance of success, MICROMINE says.

The latest version of MICROMINE’s exploration and mine design solution, Micromine 2018, comprises 10 modules. “As a scalable and flexible solution, Micromine 2018 provides you with the flexibility to choose the functionality you need when you need it. Additionally, the application’s new 64-bit support means that you can work with more data than ever before,” the company said.

Micromine’s wireframing module enables very accurate models to be created that can be further analysed and interpreted to produce a precise estimation that aligns with industry codes of practice and standards, the company said.

Piedmont Lithium expects to complete its prefeasibility level metallurgical test work program, followed by a scoping study update, this month, MICROMINE reported.

Whitehaven Coal looks to MICROMINE’s Geobank software to find more coal

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MICROMINE’s geological data management system, Geobank, has extended its presence in Australia’s coal mining sector by securing a contract with Whitehaven Coal, according to the mining software solutions provider.

One of Australia’s largest independent coal producers, Whitehaven Coal, has implemented Geobank across all of its projects in New South Wales and Queensland, MICROMINE said. The company produced 16 Mt of coal in 2018, contributing to record Australian coal export results.

Geobank is a geological data management software solution that provides a flexible and efficient environment for capturing, validating and managing data, according to MICROMINE.

MICROMINE Senior Geobank Data Management Specialist, Ibo Mango, said Geobank provided an important tool for coal miners to hone, manage and direct their exploration and production processes.

“Geobank helps companies of all sizes to better record, access, review, integrate and utilise their essential geological data,” Mango said. “Problems with inaccurate data are often invisible. Loss of data, poor accessibility or quality control issues can cost millions of dollars and cause inaccurate decision making, especially in a high-yield sector like coal.”

As a strong player in the Australia coal mining industry, and with a major expansion project underway, Whitehaven Coal procured Geobank to provide a robust, flexible data management solution, MICROMINE says. Geobank has adapted to suit Whitehaven’s specific work flow requirements, including data collection, validation and depth adjustment, browsing and advanced reporting needs.

“Geobank’s fully customisable solution provided Whitehaven with extended functionality designed specifically for their exploration and mining needs. Geobank provides specialised utilities for displaying and managing drillhole data,” Mango said.

Geobank also integrates the Australian CoalLog Standard, which was introduced in 2012. Before CoalLog, around 30 different data formats and over 100 different data code translation tables were used in the capture of geological and geotechnical data, which led to major inefficiencies in the collection, transfer, and analysis of coal borehole data.

Members of MICROMINE’s Geobank team played a role in the development of CoalLog and ensured its integration into Geobank’s suite of products.

MICROMINE’s Whitehouse to explore machine learning in exploration at APCOM 2019

IoT, Mineral exploration, Mining events, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , ,

MICROMINE says machine learning has the potential to transform mineral exploration, and the company’s Ian Whitehouse intends to discuss just how at the upcoming APCOM 2019 conference, in Poland.

More than 500 delegates from across the globe are expected to travel to Wroclaw, in June, to discover the latest developments in the application of technology in the mineral industry at the 39th Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Mineral Industry (APCOM) conference.

Whitehouse, MICROMINE’s Geobank Product Strategy Manager, will be a keynote speaker at the symposium, which has the theme “Mining Goes Digital”.

Whitehouse said the application of machine learning to the process of collecting and analysing geological data in mineral exploration has the “potential to transform the way explorers operate”. He will delve into just how during his “Transforming Exploration Data Through Machine Learning” presentation on June 6.

“By adding machine learning to the process of collecting and analysing geological data, we vastly reduce the time a geologist spends doing administration work, enabling more time to concentrate on the quality and analysis of the data collected,” he said.

“This type of offering creates opportunity to lower exploration costs and increase the amount of data that can be collected, which are key drivers of the mining industry and will contribute to more exploration projects being approved.”

The traditional process of plan – drill – observe – measure – analyse, can be inefficient, and the application of technology and machine learning can address common issues such as inconsistent data collection and categorisation, Whitehouse said.

“In the exploration industry it is very common to find that one geologist has classified a rock and the next has classified it as something different. This has huge complications when trying to model the data. However, machine-learning algorithms can be used to fix these inconsistencies and errors in the databases prior to the resource geologist working with the data.”

Machine learning can be tapped by the resources industry to streamline geological processes, such as cleansing and validating data prior to starting the modelling process, according to MICROMINE.

Whitehouse said high quality DSLR cameras can provide a tool for exploration companies to collect high-quality imagery of core and chip trays, with machine-learning algorithms able to recognise features in the images.

“It is feasible for this data to be automatically collected and stored in a database,” he said.

To illustrate the power of machine learning, MICROMINE has built an algorithm to determine and map the spatial extents of core imagery in a core tray photo. The application of this technology will result in the reduction of man-hours required to manually review and analyse core tray photography, the company said.

MICROMINE is incorporating machine learning into its solutions, with the results of the research project leading to the functionality being incorporated into the Geobank data management solution, enabling core tray images to be transferred into the database and displayed in Geobank drill-hole trace along with other downhole data, the company said.

MICROMINE’s presentation is part of APCOM’s technical program, which is presented within six streams: Geostatistics and Resource Estimation; Mine Planning; Scheduling and Dispatch; Mine Operation in Digital Transformation; Emerging Technologies and Robotics in Mining; and Synergies from Other Industries.

Whitehouse will be joined by around 100 international presenters from science and industry at the three-day APCOM conference (June 4-6).

You can read more about the event here.

International Mining is a media partner for APCOM 2019.

MICROMINE to offer Austmine attendees a preview of Micromine 2020

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Mining software solutions provider, MICROMINE says it is preparing for what will be a busy few days at the Austmine 2019 convention on May 21-23.

The theme of the biannual event is “Mining Innovation: The Next Horizon” and product specialists and experts from MICROMINE will be on hand to demonstrate the company’s leading mining software solutions and answer technical questions, the company said.

Micromine Product Strategy Manager, Mark Gabbitus, said: “Austmine is Australia’s premier event for the mining industry, with insightful presentations, interactive workshops, networking opportunities and the chance to find out about the latest innovations and technology on offer from exhibitors.

“With representatives of dozens of global mining and exploration companies gathered specifically to hear about product innovation and developments, MICROMINE will showcase its range of software solutions, detailing the latest innovations and enhancements and providing expert guidance on how users can achieve the best results and outcomes from our products.”

Product specialists on the MICROMINE stand at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre will be demonstrating the Geobank (geological data management), Pitram (fleet management and mine control) and Micromine (exploration and mine design) solutions, according to the company.

“Our experts will be on hand to discuss how our applications, which cover the entire mining process, can help delegates meet and exceed their business operation objectives,” Gabbitus said.

Interest in the just-released Geobank Mobile 2019 is expected to be high, MICROMINE said, with the field logging solution boasting an enhanced user interface control, data capture, camera integration, offline help and file exchange functionality.

The team will also be demonstrating the latest innovation in the Pitram solution – with the help of a Lego toy truck!

Using artificial intelligence, the latest advance in the software takes loading and haulage automation in underground mines to a new level. Computer vision and deep machine learning are tapped to enable the on-board video cameras to track variables such as loading time, hauling time, dumping time and travelling empty time, which can then be analysed to identify efficiencies.

A Lego toy loader will be connected to the Pitram mobile device to showcase the new functionality, having its trips around the MICROMINE booth recorded and then using the software to process the data.

With the launch of Micromine 2020 set for October, conference attendees will get a sneak peak at the latest version of the 3D modelling and mine design solution. Software enhancements include new charting tools, a new unfolding tool for model interpolation, a new Scope Optimiser, an improved scheduler and advances in the Implicit Modelling and Pit Optimiser modules.

IMDEX’s ioGAS to feature in Micromine 2020 3D modelling and mine design software

IoT, Mineral exploration, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , ,

MICROMINE and IMDEX have agreed to collaborate on the next release of Micromine 2020, with the latter company’s ioGAS solution being incorporated into the 3D modelling and mine design software.

This collaboration, bringing together detailed geoscience analytics with sophisticated 3D modelling and mine design software, will enhance the geological modelling workflow, according to MICROMINE.

According to IMDEX, ioGAS is a leading exploratory data analysis software application developed specifically for the resources industry. “Traditional methods to analyse results would take many hours and is prone to human error; ioGAS can generate accurate results in a fraction of the time. Over the past decade, a wide range of visual analytics and advanced quantitative tools have been developed to help you obtain a greater insight into the underlying structure of your data,” the company said.

The two companies have been working together for several months to integrate output from IMDEX’s ioGAS solution, according to MICROMINE.

“The collaboration means geoscientists will be able to directly import ioGAS (.gas) files into Micromine 2020 software to map and model geological domains,” MICROMINE said.

Micromine Product Strategy Manager, Mark Gabbitus, said the ability to import the files and related geological and geochemical interpretative analysis into Micromine 2020 was a boon for both companies and their thousands of global software users.

“MICROMINE and IMDEX recognise it’s in everyone’s interests to enable the efficient transfer of data between packages,” he said.

“Integrating software with third-party systems like ioGAS not only makes our client’s jobs easier but advances the industry, which MICROMINE values as a thought-leader in the METS sector.”

Micromine 2020 might still be in development, but Gabbitus confirmed some of the key features that would integrate with ioGAS included:

  • In-built ioGAS symbol library so that data imported into Micromine looks exactly as it did in ioGAS;
  • Down hole data that can brought from an ioGAS .gas file directly into Micromine as points where attributes (eg material type) can be modelled or displayed alongside geological logging to validate boundaries and contacts; and;
  • Down hole data displays that effectively show how geochemical properties differ between logged geological units.

MICROMINE added: “In Micromine 2020, drill hole traces can be easily created from down hole points contained in an ioGAS.gas file. This data is then saved as a drill hole database in Micromine.”

With over 10 years of development, IMDEX’s ioGAS software has resulted in optimised workflows and easy to use tools that incorporate industry best practise in interpretive techniques, according to MICROMINE. The exploratory data analysis software offers detection of patterns, anomalies and relationships in geoscience data. With over 350 commercial clients and 20 government organisation users, ioGAS has established itself as a global market leader, MICROMINE said.

Dave Lawie, IMDEX Chief Geoscientist, said: “It is exciting to combine the benefits of these market-leading software packages to provide additional value for our clients. This integration offers a seamless integration of ioGAS files and related interpretative analysis directly into MICROMINE 2020.”

Last month, MICROMINE said Micromine 2020 will no longer support installation or use on computers with a 32-bit processor.

APCOM 2019 to showcase mining’s digital transformation developments

Automation, Communications in mining, Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mine operation news, Mineral exploration, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining maintenance, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, Mining techniques, Water management, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The preliminary technical programme for the APCOM 2019 conference in Wroclaw, Poland, (June 4-6) has gone live, showing off some of the highest quality peer-reviewed papers on ‘digital transformation’ in mining, from resource estimation to mine operation and safety.

The conference topics include:

Geostatistics and resource estimation

APCOM said: “An entire three-day conference stream provides more than 20 leading- edge and peer-reviewed papers by world-class practitioners from leading mining companies and by world-leading research institutes.”

Papers on this topic include: Transforming Exploration Data Through Machine Learning from MICROMINE’s Mark Gabbitus, Rock mass characterisation using MWD data and photogrammetry from Luleå University of Technology’s Sohail Manzoor, and Rethinking Fleet & Personnel Management in the era of IoT, Big Data, Gamification, and low-cost Tablet Technology from MST Global’s Sean Dessureault.

Mine planning

There will be about 15 papers on newest IT-supported techniques in mine planning, uncertainty reduction, geomechanics, modelling, simulation and the most recent software technology, according to APCOM.

Papers on this topic include: A procedure to generate optimised ramp designs using mathematical programming from Delphos Mine Planning Lab, AMTC/DIMIN, Universidad de Chile’s Nelson Morales, Incorporation of geological risk into underground mine planning from NEXA Resources’ Rafael Rosado and a presentation from AngloGold Ashanti’s Andrade Barbosa titled, Economic Optimisation of Rib Pillars Placement in Underground Mines.

Scheduling and dispatch

“Around 15 papers address long- and short-term scheduling optimisation, the application of neural networks and genetic algorithms as well as risk mitigation and related software systems. A keynote talk covers the impact of Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and gamification on fleet scheduling topics,” APCOM said.

The conference has attracted speakers on this subject from Clausthal University of Technology, AngloGold Ashanti, University of Alberta, AusGEMCO Pty Ltd, Newmont Mining Corp, Advanced Mining Technology Center and Maptek.

Mine operation in digital transformation

There are more than 20 papers in this stream covering mining equipment related topics in the area of LHD transport, drilling and longwall operation, as well as underground communications and new digital technologies in mine safety, as well as product quality optimisation.

Speakers from the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Breakline and breakdown surfaces modelling in the design of large-scale blasts), Komatsu Mining (The Digital Mine eco-system), Tunnel Radio (Hybrid 5G Fibre Optic/Leaky Feeder Communication System) and Epiroc (Monitoring of a stoping operation, digital transformation in practice) are set to present papers

Emerging technologies and robotics in mining

Under this topic, there are a number of sessions with almost 10 papers covering the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in mining, the benefits of upcoming technology in robotics, mechatronics and communications, as well as the changes in machine design through digital transformation, APCOM said. Also a completely new transport system is presented in this stream.

Papers in this stream include: More Safety in Underground Mining with IoT and Autonomous Robots (TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Mining and Special Civil Engineering), Application of UAV imaging and photogrammetry for high-resolution modelling of open pit geometry and slope stability monitoring (Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno) and The concept of walking robot for mining industry (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology).

Synergies from other industries

A plenary speech from an active airline captain will lead this session, talking about the impact of human-machine interfaces on decision-making of automated equipment and in control centres, APCOM said. Other papers will be on the transferability of building information modelling from commercial construction to mining.

A paper from MT-Silesia Sp zoo called: From machine construction to mechatronic system design: Digital Transformation is changing the way of thinking! is included. There are also talks from MobileTronics GmbH’s George Biro on, Rethinking mining transport: Trackless trains for mass transport in mining and KGHM Polska Miedeź’s Mariusz Sangórski presenting, Energy Management System Maturity Model – Systematic Approach to Gain Knowledge about Organization’s Real Engagement in Energy Efficiency Area.

The conference takes place at the convention centre of the Wroclaw University of Technology and is accompanied by an exhibition, APCOM said. A social programme, conference dinner with entertainment and partner activities are available as well as field trips on June 7.

“A post-conference hike in the Karkonosze Mountains is offered from June 8-10, with overnight stays in two microbreweries on the ridge, is a relaxing finish to the technical discussions of the week,” APCOM said.

All presentations are to be held in English. Simultaneous translation to Polish is provided if requested by a sufficient number of participants.

International Mining is a media partner for APCOM 2019.

Micromine, Geobank and Pitram to come under PDAC 2019 spotlight

Automation, Communications in mining, Equipment maintenance, Mineral exploration, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , ,

MICROMINE says attendees at the upcoming Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) in Toronto, Ontario, will be able to witness software demonstrations for Micromine 2018 and Geobank 2018, while also hearing about its artificial intelligence and machine learning initiatives for Pitram 2019.

All three solutions have been developed on the back of extensive consultation with MICROMINE’s key clients from across the globe, the company said.

The mining software provider has exhibited at PDAC for eight years and says it has experienced, first-hand, the growth, stature and influence of the conference over the years.

Amelie St-Onge, Regional Manager MICROMINE Canada, said: “Many exciting things happened for the company since last year’s conference, and we are proud and excited to share these news as well as information on our upcoming releases with our clients and with the mining community.”

Specialists attending the conference from March 3-6 include Technical Product Manager for Micromine, Frank Bilki; Regional Manager for Canada, Amelie St-Onge; Technical Pre-Sales for Pitram, Chris Hunt; Training & Support Consultant for Micromine, Liam Murphy; Technical & Support Consultant for Micromine/Geobank, Caleb Birchard; Business Development Manager, Jeremy Pestun; Business Development Manager, Joel Jeangrand, and; Regional Marketing Coordinator, Maryam Abbaszadeh.

Geobank is a data management solution that helps mining and exploration companies maintain the quality, integrity and usability of their essential data, according to MICROMINE. Geobank 2018 includes a range of features and enhancements including a new and improved user interface, Global Substitution Parameters and increased functionality when designing or editing Graphic Reports.

Micromine, the company’s 3D modelling and mine design solution, is due a new release in the December quarter of 2019. This is set to include a range of new features and enhancements that increase the overall usability and performance of the software, according to MICROMINE.

MICROMINE said: “While the initial look and feel of Micromine 2020 will be the same, the new version will come with some new features, these include:

  • “New charting tools for Geostaticians; swath plots, boundary analysis, QKNA, top cut analysis, multiple charts, and ternary charts;
  • “New unfolding tool for model interpolation – Micromine has long been considered the #1 product for un-folding complex orebodies for interpolation and our new unfolding tool takes this to the next level allowing us to model more complex orebodies, more rapidly;
  • “New Stope Optimiser which will enable engineers to design optimal stope shapes based on economic and design constraints from a block model;
  • “Improved scheduler; the existing Scheduler module has had significant improvements made to it for MM2020. A new Gantt chart and the ability to schedule auxiliary tasks are important but the biggest change will be the ability to use Gurobi to solve the schedule. Gurobi is the world leader in schedule optimisation solving and its integration with Micromine Scheduler will enable engineers to schedule larger, more complex problems, and;
  • “Enhancements to Implicit Modelling and Pit Optimiser modules.”

MICROMINE is also releasing new underground mining precision software to refine and enhance loading and haulage processes as part of its Pitram solution in early 2019.

“This new offering will see the introduction of Artificial intelligence to take loading and haulage automation in underground mines to a new level,” MICROMINE said. “Utilising the processes of computer vision and deep machine learning, on-board cameras are placed on loaders to track variables such as loading time, hauling time, dumping time and travelling empty time. The video feed is processed on the Pitram vehicle computer edge device, the extracted information is then transferred to Pitram servers for processing and analyses.”