DATA driven technologies will continue to radically transform how mines are run for decades to come, according to PETRA Data Science managing director and founder Dr Penny Stewart. Ahead of her speaking engagement at the ‘Austmine 2017: Mining’s Innovation Imperative’ conference in May, she says engineered data science is allowing mines of today to predict and prevent downtime.

GEKKO Systems and Rockwell Automation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop software solutions that will assist mining customers across the globe to account for metal content in the various stages of ore processing plants and provide the analytical capability to audit and improve operating performance.

A NEW hybrid satellite and mobile phone plan from Pivotel is set to strengthen connectivity and reduce safety risks for remote industries that operate in unreliable mobile coverage areas. As Australia’s fourth largest mobile carrier, Pivotel is leading an industry-first initiative to bring historically more expensive satellite phone costs in line with contemporary mobile phone plans.

MICROMINE has implemented its fleet management and mine control solution, Pitram, at the Oyu Tolgoi Copper-Gold Project in the South Gobi region of Mongolia. Owned by Turquoise Hill, Rio Tinto and the Government of Mongolia, Oyu Tolgoi re-commenced its underground development in 2016 and is expected to move into production in 2020.

HEXAGON Mining has acquired Australian technology company MiPlan. Based in Perth, Western Australia, MiPlan develops mobile software applications for field data collection, fleet management, production management and reporting. The company has a proven track record of increasing mine productivity and providing a rapid return on investment.

ATLAS Copco’s new automation software lets the drill rig do the work. Dynamic tunnelling package is a new automation software for face drilling rigs, which gives improved accuracy of the excavation thanks to the fact that drill plans always will be fitted for the current section.

AUSTRALIAN developed blasting innovation BLASTBOSS™ is set to transform the drilling and blasting process, allowing industry operators to achieve better blasting results while using significantly less explosives. The internationally patented technology reduces the amount of explosives required in blast holes by using contained and controlled hydraulic energy to optimise and redirect the blast wave forces generated by ammonium nitrate explosives, delivering better rock breaking results. 

Shell Australia says its 3^rd annual Mining & Transport Technology forums in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane during 2012 gave global technical experts and engine manufacturers the opportunity to discuss the energy industry’s challenges. The company allowed its own technical experts to have an open dialogue with customers at the forums, in a strategy aimed at working together on solutions.

A world-first South Australian-developed innovation to load containerized iron ore from a land base to an offshore vessel has been successfully trialled off the Adelaide coast. IronClad Mining’s new ‘multi-user’ system has the unique flexibility to be used for transhipment of bulk commodities other than iron ore, such as grain.

In this exclusive interview The ASIA Miner’s Kathryn Edwards speaks with president and CEO of Canadian-based Dundee Precious Metals, Rick Howes, about technology enabling greater operational excellence across its mines.

MICROMINE maintains its reputation by regularly releasing new software versions that build upon the strengths of its solutions, which ensures its solutions continue to meet evolving user needs and industry conditions. MICROMINE has released the latest version of its exploration and 3D mine design solution, Micromine 2016.