MINING SOFTWARE
A Micromine 2016 Scheduling and Optimisation screenshot
have the potential to revolutionise geologists’ understanding of their rocks. Within the context of ongoing research into wireless networking within mines, and the internet of things, future miners will have access to vast amounts of realtime information, with smart software having already extracted important knowledge from what would otherwise be an overwhelming mass of data.”
MICROMINE says there are also several other key factors that will affect the development of mining software which include: n Simplicity: With the introduction of elements such as autonomous mining, the emphasis on reskilling the workforce to be more technology or software focussed is a relatively hot topic( given that people will lose jobs as result of this technology). Due to this greater shift towards technology, the way in which software is used needs to be repeatable and robust, such that when different users are operating, the results are the same. n Accessibility: As more personnel become interested in data, their want to view and analyse it increases. Providing tools that allow users to manipulate and interrogate data directly from its source system, in a way that will not comprise the integrity of those sources is essential. Analytics and dashboarding tools which are a collaborative source of sporadic data that is intrinsically linked will drive mining companies across their value chain. n“ X” aaS: service driven software architecture allows for fast delivery of software with flexibility to customers. Users want diversity, ease of use and bang for buck, with the delivery method allowing software to be purchased when they want / need without the large outlay of capital expenditure. n Distributed computing power: Advanced analytics and algorithms to determine the best possible outcomes. As the requirement for data collection increases the ability to
process and make“ sense” of it is also required. Continuing with manual analysis through spreadsheets is not the best use of time or effort. The need is to have rapid return analysis to drive change in mining n Integrated hardware: Ensures that the collection methodologies are equally up to the challenge of integrating and interrogating asset information. Whether that asset is a large haul truck or dewatering pump, the data collected compounds the change in mining.
Maptek highlights flexibility in market uncertainty
Peter Johnson, General Manager at Maptek comments:“ Mining software is central to mine design, planning and scheduling. This is not new! What has changed is the immediacy of the process. Where in the past, data collected was for end-of-period review, that is now considered too late for the dynamic planning and mining cycle. Data must be fed back in real-time into the mine production loop so insights gained from comparing designs to as-builts is immediately leveraged. An Internet of Things approach, where systems can assimilate and analyse data from a wide range of processes, is valued over single application packages. Maptek provides an advantage here, as we apply the experience gained from a global, diverse commodity customer base across the mine design and planning disciplines to develop holistic systems. Our detailed 2017 technology roadmap outlines how we will deliver individual product capabilities alongside strategic plans for leveraging technology to create an integrated, connected and flexible technical user environment.
Better optimisation engines and smarter algorithms make results available sooner to decision making teams. Sophisticated modelling techniques are supported by advanced visualisation regimes for communicating alternative scenarios. Mining engineers no longer need to struggle with a single unchangeable model. Dynamic design processes allow more efficient and effective workflows. For example, a
20-year life-of-mine schedule using a model containing 145,000 blocks can be calculated in Maptek Evolution Strategy in 90 minutes. If stockpile or rehandling parameters change, the revised schedule is available comparatively quickly. Other programs can take up to 24 hours for a model of similar magnitude and complexity.” He adds:“ Miners require systems which are flexible enough to support operational decisions in market uncertainty. Systems must provide: visualisation and display of large datasets and block models; on screen validation of ore and tonnages during the design process; redesign after adjustments as development proceeds; simulating schedules which account for waste haulage from day one; releasing cash flow early in the mine life by optimising the haulage fleet; taking into account fuel burn; considering rehandling costs if walls are not dug to design.”
Whittle ever more advanced
The latest release of GEOVIA’ s Whittle is now available with advanced simultaneous optimisation of cut-off grades, stockpile and blending to support multiple pits. In addition, an increased number of processing methods enables the next step in optimisation such as process plant calibration.
New Simultaneous Optimisation( SIMO) features are able to support the processing space, and multiple( up to 30) processing paths, to optimise the schedule, the cut-off and cutovers between the various paths and stockpiles, and decrease the amount of waste. They can also synchronise the mining optimisation and the processing optimisation to improve NPV. The menu option supports Microsoft ® Excel to easily view a large number of detailed reports. Also, the new version brings“ significant performance improvements with the introduction of the COIN- OR Linear Programming( LP) engine.”
For a multi-mine block model, the Schedule tab includes mine information so users can specify whether a mine is to be included, and / or define the pushbacks for each mine used in SIMO. On the Advanced Optimisation Controls form( in the inhibit pushback table), users can see the pushbacks to which the mine belongs.“ When creating a new pushback definition in a single or multi-mine scenario, you can set the min / max lead, and the max benches, per period using Pushback Definition Creation form.”
Finally, an unlimited number of constraints and variables may be used in a blend optimisation in order to optimise a broader range of blend scenarios. Dassault Systèmes worked closely with the product’ s namesake company( and home of Jeff Whittle original, the developer of the first Whittle software), Whittle Consulting on promoting the release of GEOVIA Whittle and the capabilities of SIMO.
28 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2017