Tag Archives: mine planning software

Minemax to include pit optimisation, pushback generation tools in Minemax Planner 4.3.4

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Minemax has released Minemax Planner 4.3.4 that now integrates both pit optimisation and pushback generation functionality in the affordable Standard Edition.

The Pushback Generation capability, which uses minimum mining width for creating practical pushbacks, was previously exclusive to the Professional Edition users.

“Adding Pushback Generation to the Standard Edition makes this strategic mine planning tool a cost-effective solution for developing optimal strategies through Pit Optimization, Nested Pit Shell Generation and Pushback Generation,” the company says. “The easy-to-use interface with guided workflows allows mine planners to keep the setup and optimisation fast and efficient without the need for additional end user training.”

Minemax CEO, Jim Butler, added: “Industry feedback tells us that Pit Optimization and Pushback Generation often go hand in hand in current mine planning practices. This is why we decided to include Pushback Generation into our more affordable edition of Minemax Planner. We believe this will help mine planners keep their strategic mine planning process smooth and efficient at an affordable price.“

In addition, Minemax Planner 4.3.4. now includes an option to automatically calculate the minimum required number of benches to look up when calculating slope precedences. This helps mine planners develop pit shells with accurately configured slopes in less time and with less effort required, the company says.

Hexagon to showcase mine planning software and fleet management solutions at Bauma

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

Hexagon’s Geosystems and Mining divisions will present an extensive portfolio of construction and site management technology at the Bauma trade fair, in Munich, Germany, from April 8-14, 2019, the company said.

The company will be announcing several new products and solutions that will be shown at its booth, it said.

Johan Arnberg, Heavy Construction Portfolio President for Hexagon’s Geosystems division, said: “This year at Bauma we are proud to present solutions that provide easier access to data that improves workflow and safety around machines while moving toward autonomous operation.”

Among several solutions being shown on the company’s booth during the show were, the company said:

  • “How our technology solutions keep you flexible, yet open to constant data change around you — from start to finish of the entire project;
  • “How a unified digital strategy built on the integration of mine planning and fleet and task optimisation can help remove administrative burdens, reduce complexities and improve decision making;
  • “How a web-based reporting and analytics platform can unlock a mine’s numerous data sources to reveal critical insights into safety scenarios and performance trends;
  • “How the mining industry’s growing need to push deeper underground for deposits can be answered with technology that manages fleet and task optimisation below the surface in real time.”

Rob Daw, Chief Technology Officer for Hexagon’s Mining division, said: “We’ll be highlighting the digital realities capabilities of our mine planning software and our task and fleet management optimisation solutions at Bauma.

“The integration at the heart of our portfolio is helping mines to remove administrative burdens and reduce complexities. We’re looking forward to connecting with customers and anyone else interested in pursuing the benefits of a digital strategy.”

Maptek to acquire 100% of Minlog to permanently bridge mine planning/production gap

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Mine planning software specialist Maptek has agreed to step up its investment in Minlog and its Production Management Information Systems technology, with the aim of acquiring 100% of the company over the next 18 months.

Maptek said the deal builds on a longstanding partnership between the two companies to bridge the gap between mine planning and mine production.

Maptek has been involved in a partnership with MinLog and its production management and management information systems technology since 2008. When the tie-up was announced in November of that year, Maptek said it “will provide a greater global marketing, delivery and support capability as well as deliver enhanced product functionality to global customers in the short and long term”.

Prior to this, the two companies already had a relationship whereby MinLog acted as distributor of Maptek’s MineSuite product in Africa.

Minlog says it develops, deploys and supports mining processes with intuitive, meaningful information that helps operations manage product flow and performance. It does this through production management solutions, including fleet management and management information systems.

Maptek said: “This latest investment will see Maptek increase its ownership of the business and the products to 100% over the next 18 months. Production Management data is considered a key component in delivering on Maptek’s commitment to add significant value to the data available to mining companies.”

Commenting on the investment, Maptek MD Peter Johnson said: “There is a huge gain in performance and efficiency to be had by combining the data models used in Mine Planning with the systems and processes applied in Mine Operations.

“The orebody knowledge and characteristics have an impact on mine performance well after the planning stages are complete, but there has been little ability to refer to and make decisions with the benefit of that orebody knowledge in a tactical, operational decision support capacity in a mine production environment.”

Under the new arrangement, MinLog will continue to operate, with current management and staff “remaining committed to delivering the world’s best Production Management systems”, Maptek said.

MinLog MD Karel Gilliland said: “MinLog leverages flexible service bus integration and a cloud- or server-hosted data lake containing a validated and contextualised digital record of all equipment and mining fleet being tracked. This enables us to deliver a powerful range of production management functionality across the whole supply chain in a mine.”

He added: “In addition, MinLog develops advanced DSF technology, allowing near real-time data acquisition from fixed and mobile equipment underground for reliable, cost effective and flexible deployment.”