MINING SOFTWARE
Geology Modeler is an established Role in the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform , which counts with an original and proprietary engine for implicit modelling
parameters through multiple scenario analyses from development to closure , according to Pilger . “ It allows simultaneous or sequential application of several advanced value-adding options for optimising capacity to create an optimised and robust mining schedule that prioritises value and ecological responsibility ,” he added .
The Underground Mine Designer Role enables the user to rethink the design approach to underground mining through the evaluation of multiple options through generative parametric modelling . Pilger explained : “ One will be able to generate and evaluate multiple development designs through an automated parametric process , offering optionality assessment of designs .” This is all within a “ safety by design ” approach , considering safety standards related to underground excavations from physical constraints to geotechnical features .
Additionally , in 2024 , Dassault Systèmes has planned four 3DEXPERIENCE releases to keep enhancing these new Roles , as well as established 3DEXPERIENCE Mining Roles such as “ Geology Modeler ”, “ Geoscience Referential Manager ”, “ Earth Engineering Coordinator ”, “ Pit Optimizer ” and “ Surface Mine Designer ”.
This comes alongside eight planned releases for Dassault Systèmes ’ traditional desktop portfolio – Surpac , MineSched , Whittle , Minex and GEMS – focused on select enhancements , technology upgrades and defect fixes .
Such a plethora of updates reflects Dassault Systèmes ’ ability to leverage and adapt technologies and / or processes from sister brands within the group . An example of this comes from the pattern recognition algorithms originally developed for BIOVIA to identify chemical compounds in the medical and pharmaceutical industry now being used for mining and geology use cases .
Such algorithms are expected to play a role in future mining productivity leaps , according to Pilger , going some way to counter the expected mining skills shortage caused by retirements and a dearth of new blood .
“ The Virtual Twin framework can make this possible by opening career doors for this new generation of mining professionals while securing knowledge and know-how for the sustainable continuity of the industry ,” he said .
Pilger concluded : “ In 2024 , we will continue to enhance and support our traditional desktop portfolio ; in parallel , we continue to build a new portfolio on a new and modern technology stack on 3DEXPERIENCE . And , finally , we will continue to seamlessly connect our traditional desktop portfolio to 3DEXPERIENCE via our POWER ’ BY approach for expanding workflows and business processes .”
Solving old problems with new capabilities
Orica reported its first full year of results from its Digital Solutions division in November , with Sanjeev Gandhi , Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer , highlighting a doubling of earnings alongside a significant improvement in margins in its 2023 financial year .
“ Customers are continuing to seek operational efficiencies across the mining value chain and unlocking the value of digitisation and automated workflows is key to achieving these efficiencies ,” he said during the FY23 results presentation .
With an abundance of solutions on the market , why would mining companies look to Orica Digital Solutions to provide these efficiencies ?
“ Our software offering stands out from the competition by providing innovations underpinned by modern computing science ,” Matthew Craft , Orica ’ s Senior Manager Technology , Blast Design and Execution , told IM . “ The unique value provided by Orica Digital Solutions is the seamless integration of physical
blasting operations with digital platforms . This enables our customers to readily understand and optimise their operations at every step of the value chain , with integrated workflows , access to real-time data and end-to-end predictability from mine to mill .”
With mines going deeper and orebodies becoming more complex and remote , the demand for these solutions is only set to increase , according to Craft .
“ Our solutions include categories spanning the resource value chain , including orebody intelligence , blast design and execution , measurement and monitoring , and mine simulation and optimisation ,” he said . “ Whether operating individually or as a whole , our solutions ensure the right intelligence is delivered at the right time for better decision making and more predictable outcomes .”
This improves transparency across the operation , allowing customers to adapt their operations to improve safety , boost productivity , rationalise energy use , produce fewer emissions , reduce environmental impact and cut costs , he said .
The new division launched 15 products in the 2023 financial year – including new variations of FRAGTrack™ technology to provide operations with increased scope to capture fragmentation insights and new AI-backed innovations and physics modelling with OREPro™ 3D Predict to model blast movement .
Its 2024 financial year has already got off to a fast start with the introduction of BlastIQ™ Underground , which marked its expansion into the underground blast control domain segment .
And , at the tail end of last year , the company enhanced its geotechnical offering as well as added an established stream of recurring software revenue with the binding agreement to acquire Terra Insights .
“ For 2024 and beyond , Orica Digital Solutions is looking to leverage our modern platform to solve customer problems with big data management , automated design recommenders , and interoperability with customers and partners ,” Craft said . “ Aside from the marque launches , we will continue to focus on the basics of assessing and organising industry data , which will enable more sophisticated solutions to evolve .”
These digital solutions are having an impact on the process-driven goals Orica has and , in particular , its aims to automate the drilling and blasting process and minimise personnel exposure to harm .
“ The core of this acceleration lies in our commitment to leveraging digital technologies ,” Craft said .
“ Within our Orica Digital Solutions portfolio , products like SHOTPlus™ , OREPro , LOADPlus™ ,
36 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2024