A web-based information management system by Micromine Africa - an end-to-end mine solutions provider, recently introduced the dynamic optimal mineral extraction software (Dome) at Namdeb Diamond corporation and Tati Nickel Mining corporation, which provides a flexible and efficient environment for validating, storing and accessing data from diverse software applications and sources, says GM Mark Williams.

“The software allows management to act proactively, instead of continuously having to look into the rear-view mirror,” he says. The newly-developed solution works as an information-management system that enables users to access organisational data in real time, thereby providing the perfect platform for data analysis and presentation with clearly defined and easily-understood reports.

The systems support many languages and interest in the product has been shown by China, Russia and India, he says.

Williams explains that the key element of Dome is that it sits across all systems and, even if the mine runs a number of different software packages, Dome will integrate all of the systems to access the required information.

“Apart from providing easy access to vital information, other key features include warehousing and validation, budgeting, scheduling, world-class reporting and an intelligent-information delivery system,” he says. Williams adds that Dome is customised to suit the needs of each and every client. It can be sold as a packaged solution with existing Micromine products, such as GBIS and Pitram, or it can be sold as a sepa- rate reporting and information-management tool to work with existing legacy systems.

“In order to develop Dome into a new technological development in the mining industry, we had to conduct hours and hours of market research, which displayed a strong message requesting a system to manage and consolidate the information that a mine receives from a number of disparate sources,” Williams reports. Dome is a standard solution that is customised to the specific needs of Micromine’s clients. Williams adds that Micromine received a $4-billion grant from the Australian government to research and develop the product as the latest technological solution to gather data, source and bring it to a central point to report from it.

Micromine Africa has been awarded a R3,3-million contract from the Namdeb Diamond corporation.

The contract involves the instal- lation of an automated mine control solution at the Namibia-based mine, which is made up of Micro- mine’s Pitram and Dome product offerings He says that the primary objective of the Micromine solution is to increase production at the mine, but, more importantly, the system will decrease Namdeb’s costs by effectively managing the mine’s resources and flow of information.

Williams explains that the project will be rolled out in a phased approach, with a live hand-over to fully-trained staff expected in four months.

He says that the solution that Micromine is providing will manage Namdeb’s fleet, equipment, personnel, and maintenance.

In addition, the systems that are currently being used at Namdeb will be integrated into a single auto- mated system when Pitram is installed.

This provides the mine with a centralised data base system, thereby improving transparency and communication within the mine.

Further, the reporting function of the Dome solution will enable Namdeb to keep a track record of everything that happens at the mine, allowing it to be proactive in its operations, and the real time solution will allow engineers to react immediately.

Micromine product improves operations at Tati Micromine Africa has forged a strong, long-term relationship with the Tati Nickel mining company, which has provided much value for both parties, Williams says. The relationship between Micro- mine and Tati began when the company installed Micromine and GBIS licences.

Moreover, Tati is currently using Micromine’s Field Marshal software.

The systems were installed at both the Phoenix and Selkirk mines exploration departments, and are synchronised through a radio link.

According to Williams, the Micro- mine product offerings have made the mines’ exploration activities and the laboratory turnover and turn- around times more productive and results are now more accessible by management at the mine.

Further, the systems have eliminated the need for constant written updates from staff and have helped improve the mines’ productivity.

Micromine boasts an extensive African footprint, and the com- pany’s exploration products are used in Botswana by Gallery Gold (Iamgold), African Copper and BCL, and local contracting as well as consulting groups such as Quantec Geoscience Africa and MGE Consulting.

To further assist in servicing the African market, Micromine Africa (Botswana) has offices in Lobatse.

Micromine brings together global experience from thirteen branches and more than one-hundred-and-twenty employees worldwide.

“The aspects that set Micromine products aside are their ease of use and versatility,” Williams says.

Micromine, for example, can allow the user to manipulate corrupted data to a useable format. Moreover, the program’s editing tools are strong, as are its validation tools.

Visex gives Micromine the look, feel and abilities of a GIS package, without giving up the ability to model resources, which is impossible in most GIS systems.

Williams adds that the Micromine product offerings fitted in perfectly with Tati’s current systems, as the mine wanted a system that it could grow with and one where it would not have to purchase other soft- ware packages to supplement its needs.

Tati has made extensive use of Micromine’s exploration product set and now the experience of dealing with Micromine has been further improved by the introduction of a support framework.

“We have worked on the company’s service processes and procedures and, together with the implementation of salesforce ser- vice and support and its unique individual case-monitoring cap- ability, we believe we can offer unbeatable world-class support for our software products,” Williams says.

Micromine knew from the outset that Dome would be a new and unusual product for the African market place.

“We understand that market education is needed to properly launch the product in this market, but Dome is easy to understand, easy to use and, most importantly, easy to individually design and implement, so we do not see this as a problem,” he says.

However, Williams adds that the attitude of the market is changing, with new exploration activities, mergers and acquisitions taking place. Micromine believes that more and more people are placing emphasis on information and how to manage this information. Williams concludes by adding that most people know what value this type of system adds to an operation, but many believe that it is too expensive and difficult to justify. Micromine provides local support from an internationally-backed company that offers a real-time, cost- effective end-to-end solution to the African market.

To subscribe to Mining Weekly's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.