FLEET MANAGEMENT
The power of Micromine Pitram
IM spoke to Brendon Shadlow, Product Strategy Manager, Micromine Pitram, about the attributes of the latest version and its market strengths
Q Pitram 2025 was released last October – what are the standout features and functionalities in this version?
Pitram version 2025 represents a major step forward in Micromine’ s commitment to operational visibility and interoperability. One of the key enhancements is the introduction of instant notifications for operational deviations, enabling teams to respond immediately and keep performance on track. The update also delivers more granular sub-location data capture, offering a deeper level of insight into specific activities across the site. This allows for more accurate reporting and improved analysis at a much finer scale. Our mobile app, Pitram Connect, has also seen major improvements, with a more detailed and intuitive shift planning interface that gives teams a clear, actionable view of each shift before it begins. These features work together to help operations optimise equipment usage, improve coordination, and drive productivity across the board. What’ s especially exciting is that this momentum is continuing. We have a half-year release planned for the end of May, packed with powerful new features that will further enhance operational control. It’ s all part of our ongoing commitment to providing mining teams with the tools they need to run safer, more efficient, and more responsive operations.
Q Have the majority of Pitram systems been installed in underground mines and is it particularly known for being strong in the underground market – why is this?
Yes, Pitram has established a particularly strong foothold in the underground mining sector. Its success in this environment is largely due to its robust data capture capabilities and its ability to operate reliably in low-connectivity settings – a common challenge underground. Pitram is designed to handle the complexities of underground mining, such as tracking equipment and personnel across multiple levels and headings, managing shift handovers, and accommodating frequent schedule changes. Its real-time monitoring and production reporting capabilities are complemented by advanced material management tools, an integrated shift planner with short interval control, and peer-to-peer communication functionality that ensures data continuity in lowconnectivity environments. The system also features a 3D Mine module for intuitive visualisation of underground activities, and Pitram Vision – an AI-driven solution that uses deep machine learning to automatically capture and analyse loader cycles. These capabilities combine to give underground mine operators the visibility, control, and operational insight needed to drive performance and improve decision-making in some of the industry’ s most challenging environments.
Q Do you also offer an open pit Pitram fleet management solution and how does it differ in terms of design and platform from underground?
Pitram is used in open-pit operations as well, and the system is fully capable of supporting surface mining environments. While our core strength and primary focus has historically been in underground operations, where the challenges of low connectivity, complex tracking, and dynamic conditions are particularly well-suited to Pitram’ s capabilities – we also work with a number of clients operating in open-cut mines. In terms of design and platform, Pitram remains consistent across both environments, offering real-time fleet management, production tracking, and data capture capabilities. However, its deployment in open-pit settings often involves different configurations and workflows, tailored to the nature of surface operations. For example, open-pit mines tend to emphasise broader spatial coverage, longer haulage routes, and a different style of equipment management, which Pitram accommodates through flexible system architecture and scalable modules.
Q Are there any particular attributes of Pitram that are appreciated or recognised in mining compared to other systems?
One of Pitram’ s most valued strengths in underground mining is its flexibility and scalability, making it suitable for operations of all sizes and levels of complexity. It serves as the central platform in the control room, acting as a single source of truth for the entire operation. With real-time data capture and detailed event tracking, Pitram provides the visibility needed to make fast, informed decisions. Its visualisation tools, including intuitive dashboards and 3D models, translate complex data into actionable insights. And with a modular design, Pitram can evolve alongside the mine, ensuring long-term adaptability as operational needs change.
Q Increasingly mines are looking to integrate FMS with other technologies like collision avoidance, autonomy, fatigue management etc – is this something you are seeing at Micromine in terms of customer demand?
There’ s a clear shift in the industry toward building integrated technology ecosystems, and we’ re seeing that reflected in customer demand at Micromine. Customers increasingly expect FMS solutions to act as central data hubs that interoperate seamlessly with systems like collision avoidance, fatigue management, autonomous haulage, and even ESG tracking tools. With Pitram 2025, Micromine has further opened its APIs and expanded its ecosystem of integrations, enabling better data sharing and cross-system functionality. This push aligns with the industry’ s broader digital transformation, optimising workflows, increasing operational awareness, and unlocking new insights from interconnected systems.
Q Are there any particular Pitram installs from the past 12 – 18 months that are notable?
Pitram has recently been deployed at several major underground and hybrid operations in regions including Latin America, Central Asia, and EMEA. These projects have stood out for their scale and level of technological integration – some incorporating autonomous fleet elements, LTE networks, and multi-system data overlays. One standout deployment involved real-time data streaming from underground mobile equipment to a central control centre located off-site, highlighting Pitram’ s ability to support remote operations and digital mine management.
International Mining | MAY 2025