Software solutions and services provider, Micromine, believes that ‘mine control automation' is the new buzz phrase in the mining industry, with demand for mining automation solutions rapidly increasing.

"In these times, the digging of a mine will not take place without the use of a dedicated mine design software package. Similarly, an operation should not be run without a dedicated mine control system in place," Micromine product development manager Ivan Zelina says.

Micromine has developed a suite of five software solutions that cover the entire mining life cycle, assisting operators with mine planning, design and management.

Zelina says that Pitram, Micromine's real-time mine production control system, records, manages and processes every aspect of a mine site's operation. Totally scalable, the solution is suitable for underground and openpit mines of any size and at any stage of its life.

"Pitram's newly introduced shift planner module allows users to implement a production plan within a real-time environment. This enables the operation to use short-interval control methods to manage daily activities," Zelina says.

By obtaining real-time feedback and having the mining plan available in the same application as the mine control environment, control room operators can save time and ensure that equipment is correctly allocated according to plan.

"Pitram allows users to identify areas of constraint and where greater efficiencies could be achieved. A continuous improvement programme can be implemented to lower costs, raise production and increase the return on investment," Zelina explains.

The solution monitors locations, materials and grades associated with the geological model, and integrates asset tracking and management technologies according to the communication technologies available on site.

"All mines are different, and our solution is configured to each site's operational needs. Pitram integrates multiple tracking and management software systems on site, including production tracking and mine planning systems," Zelina adds.

Vehicle proximity detection is used to improve loading and underground and opencast operations. For example, Pitram can use data from on-board sensors to reduce the time trucks queue at loaders. It can also track materials to prevent the dilution of ore grades, Zelina explains.

The operator also has a screen which shows the load profile of the vehicle being loaded. This reduces overloading and underloading, and centres the truck's load. Therefore, Pitram ensures that equipment is used appropriately, reducing tyre wear and increasing efficiencies.

The solution includes a signs and permits module which is focused on safety. In real time, users can monitor activities which require permits or are being conducted in restricted access areas. For example, management can track a worker in a restricted area, keep frequent radio contact with users, and alert the user when the estimated activity duration expires.

Micromine's software packages are written in one software language to fully integrate their functions, from exploration through to mine management. This offers an advantage to companies that use data to make strategic decisions about the viability and profitability of orebodies.

"Mining companies use software to track and trend their production information. Micromine's products are used to fill a void in their information technology capabilities, or fulfil investors' business requirements, including oversight and management. The five solutions are designed to interface with competitors' software packages, including asset tracking and management technologies," says Zelina.

Micromine's entry solution, Field Marshal, is a data capture and validation tool. Field Marshal is predominantly used by junior geologists to capture and validate infield data using a hand-held device. Data is entered directly into Field Marshal which saves time, reduces human errors and increases individual user productivity.

Further, the company offers GBIS, a data management tool that provides a flexible and efficient environment for validating, storing and accessing data. It is a dynamic solution that uses a scalable data model which can be tailored to meet specific exploration and mining requirements, Zelina says.

The programme arranges the data and uses global positioning system data to triangulate and plot sample points, providing a clear overview of a company's exploration programme. This enables the early planning of a mine's design and operational needs.

The company's namesake product, Micromine, is an exploration, ore modelling and mine design tool. Micromine uses exploration data to model, design and estimate underground resources by modelling the extent and depth of the orebody. The solution can also be used to schedule the various stages of mine ramp-up, increasing efficiencies and decreasing production time.

Micromine's fourth solution, Pitram, is complemented by Dome, a business intelligence system.

"Dome uses the latest database and web technologies to effectively integrate and report data from multiple sources in real time, allowing the analysis of relevant and timely information. Vehicles' management, production and payload systems are integrated within the solution," he concludes.

Micromine is the only provider of software solutions for the entire mining life cycle. This offering affords Micromine's clients the convenience of purchasing all their software through the one vendor.

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