MINING SOFTWARE
mining processes . For example , GeoMine- OreChaser empowers geologists and investors to optimise infill drilling strategies , enhancing resource conversion while maintaining budgetary efficiency , the company claims .
GeoMine-OreController is designed for openpit grade control , optimising and sequencing truck-by-truck dig-units using 3D blast movement modelling to minimise dilution and ore losses . OreController v2.0 introduces new optimisation options , incorporating measured material displacement data for improved mapping from pre- to post-blast states . Its fine-grained classification ( eg 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 m ) complements sensors on shovels built to determine if an entire shovel payload is ore or waste , further enhancing resource recovery and reducing dilution or ore losses . “ Ongoing developments focus on AI and machine learning to better predict and control rock fragmentations and blast movements ,” the company added .
The cloud-based ThreeDify GeoBase solution is a 3D drill and blast hole database platform to facilitate logging , visualisation , QA / QC , sharing and versioning of drill and blast holes . GeoBase ’ s real-time blast hole analytics API , underpinned by a MWD database , enables advanced AI and machine-learning applications , unlocking the potential of real-time data , ThreeDify says .
Last year also saw significant advancements in GeoMine ’ s capabilities for drill and blast designs with two new modules : GeoMine-QuickRing and GeoMine-QuickPattern . The former introduces a rapid drill and blast ring designer for underground blasting , supporting both automatic and interactive modes ; the latter is built for open-pit blast planners to provide rapid blast pattern and pre-split hole design capabilities . More widely , ThreeDify says it remains committed to refining its core technology and integrating cutting-edge AI and machine-learning capabilities into the GeoMine platform . It says : “ These innovations position GeoMine as a leading software solution for mining companies aiming to optimise operations , embrace sustainability and harness the full potential of their data .”
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It is the release of a new solution for underground mining that has Micromine CEO , Andrew Birch , excited . During the announcement of its 2025 Release late last year , Birch highlighted the upcoming arrival of Micromine Advance , a new mine planning solution .
He explained : “ We ’ re thrilled to expand Micromine ’ s product ecosystem with Micromine Advance – the first and only dedicated tool designed to model the operational complexity of underground operations .”
This solution has been crafted to help engineers create realistic and detail-driven plans , according to the company . Using modern technology and purpose-built tools , it enables engineers to take a resource-driven approach to scheduling , providing the capability to confidently model intricate underground environments with new precision .
Key features of the solution include the ability to tackle complex problems by breaking everything down to first principles , and then creating dynamic and realistic schedules from there . The company explained : “ When your mine plans are built this way , you can be confident in your decisions , knowing you can trace everything back and understand each interaction in your plans .”
Micromine Advance also allows users to handle scenario management free from fragmented project structures and complicated auditing processes , with the solution allowing users to animate these scenarios side-by-side and compare the specifics with real-time reporting , the company says .
More realistic schedules can be built by accounting for inventory constraints that may impede mine production over time . This is achieved through an integrated approach to inventory management that allows users to forecast operational requirements over time .
Micromine Advance has in-built tools to allow users to quickly highlight problem areas and implement solutions before a mine schedule is up and running , saving time and the need for manual work , according to the company . The software also provides new and creative ways to set dependencies and use them to enhance the quality of mine plans .
Design network validation tools automatically audit mine design strings , prompt users when errors are detected and suggest solutions for consideration . “ This allows for a much more proactive approach to network validation that
ABB Ability Smart Hoisting is used as enabler and driver for proactive maintenance strategies , ABB says
saves time and frustration later in the scheduling process ,” Micromine added .
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ABB is also seeing the benefit of looking to optimise hardware through the insights identified by software , with its most recent developments in hoisting making for a good example .
ABB Ability™ Smart Hoisting is a vital enabler of the World-Class Mine Hoist Maintenance ( WCM ) standard , seamlessly integrating digital tools to align with best practices for maximising safety , reliability and productivity , ABB says . The WCM standard , built on insights from a benchmark study of leading mining companies across six regions and eight commodities , highlights that over 90 % of maintenance activities should be proactive to achieve the highest availability . It also emphasises the importance of predictive maintenance strategies , which can reduce costs and failures by 50 % while increasing equipment lifespan by 30 %.
The benchmark study identified that customers using more proactive maintenance strategies benefitted from 15 % greater hoist availability than those using mainly reactive approaches , while , in the WCM standard , more than 90 % of maintenance activities should be scheduled .
Over the course of a year , this might add up to 52,560 minutes of increased uptime , equivalent to 36.5 extra operational days per year .
“ By utilising real-time monitoring and predictive algorithms , Smart Hoisting ensures maintenance is proactive and dynamic , aligning with the WCM recommendation and improving hoist availability by up to 15 % compared to reactive approaches ,” Veselin Donchev , Global Product Manager , Hoisting Service , ABB , says .
22 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2025