MINING SOFTWARE
FRAGTrack Geospatial unlocks operational and technical insights by providing georeferenced samples to correlate blast design and orebody information to blasting performance , according to Orica
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™ , Design for Outcome , FRAGTrack , and BlastIQ™ are instrumental in automating various facets of the drilling and blasting process . These solutions facilitate seamless data transfer , loading rule application , classifications , and image sampling and processing .”
Such incremental steps collectively contribute to the broader objective of achieving comprehensive automation , reducing the need for human intervention in potentially hazardous tasks , according to Craft . They are also part of
Orica ’ s five-year technology roadmap and help guide Orica ’ s “ journey toward full automation ”, particularly in processes like explosives loading , both on surface and underground .
This technology roadmap also recognises the need for collaboration and modularity across the mining sector , hence the reason Orica recently entered into an agreement with Caterpillar to supports its customer base in harnessing the power of merging data , sensors and intelligence to enhance workflows and enable real-time decision making .
“ The initial focus will be on the integration between Orica ’ s Rhino™ , BlastIQ , FRAGTrack and Cat ® MineStar™ Terrain technologies ,” Craft said . “ This integrated workflow will provide customers with high-fidelity rock property information , enabling significant improvements to on-bench safety , drilling and blasting program accuracy and productivity , and higher-quality blast outcomes that generate enhanced mill performance .”
This is all part of Orica ’ s aim to support customers in sustainably mobilising the earth ’ s resources with innovative technologies .
“ With the ongoing advancements in software , old problems can be solved with new capabilities ,” Craft concluded .
Interest in integrated thinking
The Digital Mining Technologies division within Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is also a recent entrant into the software space , yet the OEM ’ s customers have been calling out for such an integrated offering for several years , according to Elen Toodu .
Included within this division is the Deswik , Newtrax , AutoMine and Polymathian businesses : an assortment of companies able to provide data feedback and automated end-to-end process optimisation .
Toodu , Director , Strategic Product Portfolio Management at the division , says the customer feedback on this offering has been strong , with requests continuing to come through about how the division and its solutions can improve mining operation efficiencies .
She explained : “ A lot of the mines that are digitally advanced have different solutions from different providers and end up integrating them themselves . In some ways , they become the software developers , diverting their attention away from their primary mission : to mine the orebodies they have .”
The addition of Deswik and its mine design , scheduling and planning portfolio is a standout here , allowing Sandvik to reach upstream areas of the mine development stage .
Mats Eriksson , President of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions , said as much during the recent Sandvik Capital Markets Day : “ When you
International Mining | FEBRUARY 2024