MINING SOFTWARE
Maptek Epoch Dynamic Solids will bring users closer to their model data and reduce data movement between applications , Eduardo Coloma says
automated , with no manual intervention required once the specifications are set up ,” Coloma says .
This process incorporates data from desktop applications , drill hole data in a third-party application and existing models .
“ Simulations can be run in the MCF , with multiple block models feeding into the data system ,” Coloma said . “ Geologists can be alerted by the Maptek Orchestration Environment to review models and publish to downstream processes for additional automations such as reserving or grade control .”
The ability to automatically run processes in
response to new data and events , and invoke multiple business processes simultaneously on shared input data , will revolutionise mining operations , according to Coloma .
These are not the only planned enhancements to the Maptek ecosystem , with two significant mine planning updates involving Vulcan – its 3D geological modelling and mine design software – and Evolution Epoch , a dedicated short-term planning tool for managing multiple mining activities , tasks and equipment , and applying dependencies , in the works .
“ In response to customer feedback , we have reimagined the Vulcan process of creating scheduling solids to make the tool easier to use and the process more consistent ,” Coloma said of the former .
The introduction of Mining Solids will require far fewer inputs while delivering improved results , and performance and quality of output , he claims , greatly reducing the overhead to initialise mine schedules for planners .
The major enhancements to Evolution Epoch aim to improve schedule preparation workflow .
“ Epoch Dynamic Solids will bring users closer to their model data and reduce data movement between applications ,” Coloma says . “ The functionality in Epoch will deliver a new source model type and greater interactivity through user-defined cuts to achieve schedule targets .
The improved flexibility and better integration with existing Maptek data types will release time to spend on scheduling and generating outputs .”
acQuire providing the GIM Essentials acQuire has been focused on geoscientific information management for more than 25 years and is currently expanding its software offering into environmental , social performance and drilling data management solutions that help companies tackle their complex data challenges in these areas .
It reinforced this aim recently with the acquisition of BlackFox , which has a cloud-based drilling management system on its books .
“ BlackFox software enables mining companies and drilling companies to effectively manage the collection of quality information at the drill rig and have insights into crucial drilling performance information ,” Alison Atkins , acQuire CEO , told IM . “ Whether drilling organisations are collecting data for their customers , or mining and exploration companies are collecting information
Upgrades to the acQuire GIM Suite that occurred in 2024 focused on extending capabilities further into the web and mobile environment , with enhancements in drill hole logging , workspace management , SQL views and more
from drilling companies , both parties can have the right reporting and metrics they need to manage contracts and drilling statistics .”
On top of adding BlackFox to the software contingent , acQuire has been looking to offer a solution for companies not yet ready for an enterprise-level geoscientific information management ( GIM ) solution like its GIM Suite but do need the fundamentals of good data management to help define its resource . This is called GIM Essentials . Atkins explained : “ There are many geologists and geology teams who are having to ‘ make do ’ with the array of geological data they are collecting with often limited , rudimentary or unreliable tools . When working on a drilling program , they ’ re under time pressure and stretched thin .”
If there ’ s no reliable “ single source of truth ” for their data , trying to validate , access and check data from multiple spreadsheets or locations can waste precious time and money , and block geologists from making faster and confident decisions in the field , Atkins says . The flow-on effect is not having timely access to the correct data for reporting findings and interpretations back to the market .
“ These are all challenges we have witnessed in the mining sector and GIM Essentials is built to tackle them ,” she said .
GIM Essentials offers easy , accurate and accessible geological data management , covering the fundamentals and instilling trust in the data ’ s quality , according to the company . Data validations and rules built into the software ensure geologists are working with quality data from the point of collection , through the lifecycle , acQuire claims .
“ Companies can get up and running faster with their geological data management , with limited scoping requirements , fast deployment and minimal ownership overheads required with GIM Essentials ,” Atkins added .
While the development of GIM Essentials is facilitating straight forward and simple data management for its clients , acQuire is also continuing to evolve GIM Suite .
Last year , the company released GIM Suite REST API to enable other technology organisations to connect with the solution and provide more flexibility to customers with how they want to access the data within the solution as well .
“ Connectivity has always been a core focus at acQuire and , over many years , we have fostered
International Mining | FEBRUARY 2025