A New haulage functionality for underground mine operators will be built into the upcoming version of Australia-head-quartered consulting and technology company Deswik’s software – Deswik.Suite.

The Deswik.LHS for Underground module enables users to create and visualise an underground haulage network from a three-dimensional (3D) mine model and integrate the results directly with the mine schedule. Deswik states that the software is “specifically designed by mining engineers, for mining engineers”, and can be used to simplify the process of calculating haulage metrics for underground mine operations and present the results in the form of 3D animations.

The software features an easy-to-use interface that guides users through the process, delivering a simple, speedy experience, according to Deswik. Results are amalgamated back into the original schedule in Deswik.Sched (a Gantt chart scheduling tool) to ensure single-source reporting and allow for estimations of truck requirements.

This functionality, currently available as a technology preview, is integrated into Deswik.Suite version 2017.2, where the haulage network can simply be built from the mine design centre lines, which are used as the data source for scheduling. Once the initial setup of the software is complete, the entire life-of-asset schedules can easily be run in a matter of minutes, using detailed rimpull calculations.

The results of this process can pre-emptively highlight issues with ventilation and congestion, as well as provide defendable haulage metrics for costing and budgetary purposes.

A fully integrated platform designed for all stages of the mining value chain, the Deswik software suite enables mine planners to access complete plans and scenario analysis in one continuous workflow, substituting the need for up to eight separate software packages in some instances.

Deswik.LHS for Underground was unveiled at the AusIMM 2017 Underground Operators Conference, which took place in Australia earlier this month. Its easy-to-use interface requires no expert knowledge of haulage modelling or setup.

Deswik also has offices in Johannesburg, South Africa.