MINING SOFTWARE product , nature and life ,” he told IM . It is doing this through developing “ Virtual Twin Experiences ” that aim to break down silos to bring people , processes and technology together in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform .
He clarified : “ A ‘ digital ’ twin is typically a mere digital representation or copy of a given process or set of processes , while a ‘ virtual ’ twin goes beyond by providing a live virtual replication of the real world in which processes ( or systems ) are interlinked and associated with one another with the underlying data that informs and describes these processes .”
This distinction is important in the world of mining given operations are influenced by several external factors a static digital twin may struggle to comprehend . This virtual platform also allows Dassault Systèmes to , Pilger says , provide the path for clients to realise business transformation .
Pilger elaborated on this : “ We provide software tools that allow our clients to model and simulate processes and how they interact with adjacent ( connected ) processes before anything is actually built , in early project development phases , or to correct the train of action on projects already in production in order to keep chasing value while operating .”
Since the underlying data used is federated , indexed , standardised and contextualised in a safe and secured single repository , and systems are connected with input and output associated through common data models , one can test multiple hypotheses or scenarios in this “ virtual world ” to then apply a given design or plan in the real world . This process , Pilger says , eliminates unnecessary waste , reducing risk , minimising material re-handling and maximising productivity .
Within a sustainability context , this allows mining companies to assess the impact of decisions from conceptual design models through to operation and disposal , or mine rehabilitation .
In practicality , this could allow mining companies to use a single platform with full value chain visibility and advanced energy control to : optimise , capture and re-use energy , while reducing overall operating costs .
“ So , the Virtual Twin can help with de-risking the electrification process too ,” Pilger said .
More than this , this platform acts as a sandbox for mining companies to test out scenarios related to extracting more metal , more efficiently and more sustainably , all while complying with environmental , social and governance ( ESG ) standards and associated targets , and with the ability to display such a model – that can include biodiversity , water , energy and emissions data and designs – to interested stakeholders .
“ It allows managing permit status , asset agreements , asset licences and associated cost analysis , ensuring that everything goes according to plan and schedule ,” Pilger said . “ It allows for creating digital continuity between the natural environment , claim boundaries and built infrastructure . It allows taking advantage of immersive visualisation with spatial contextualisation to gain a complete picture of data for actionable intelligence .”
This platform is continuing to expand in line with customer requirements , including the addition of the Strategic Mine Planner and Underground Mine Designer ‘ Roles ’ in the established portfolio of GEOVIA Roles within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform . In 2024 , Dassault Systèmes GEOVIA is not only introducing new Roles to the portfolio but also enhancing those established Roles released in prior years , Pilger says .
The Strategic Mine Planner Role allows the user to develop a comprehensive strategic plan by conducting an evaluation of critical input 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
FEBRUARY 2024 | International Mining