Keeping pace with volatility in the mining space

Mine planning by its nature is multi-disciplinary, If you have not seen the Open Group’s EMMMV Model of the mine planning process, have a quick look before you read further!

The model shows the sequential nature of mining - first geology has to do their part, followed by the mine designer (who needs input from the rock engineers and ventilation people). Mining engineers and metallurgist can now join in, after which cost and revenue can be calculated. This process can only be completed in a very specific order, as each activity in the planning process depends on information created by other, prior activities. For example, the metallurgist can only act on information once he knows which part of the ore body will be taken out. The metallurgist’s information, in turn, is needed before any cost or revenue can be calculated. This progressive nature of mine planning creates limitations on how quickly any planning can be done. By reducing the time needed for mine design and scheduling from weeks to hours, as well as creating a common platform for collaboration and information sharing, a whole new world opens up and the whole planning process is streamlined. This is the game changer mining has been waiting for.

“We do two things. We shorten individual planning activities, and integrate everybody’s contributions across the process”

Mike Woodhall -Mining Industry Executive

How MineRP is changing the mining game:

MineRP has transformed mine planning by radically reducing the time required to complete mine design and schedules and integrating the entire technical systems information domain, reducing weeks of work to hours of work. Repeatability becomes possible, giving business planning teams have the opportunity to create multiple plans in a single cycle. More options mean better results, which directly affects the bottom line.

Mines are regularly faced with hard questions such as deciding when to put in a new decline. If it is inevitable, the ideal is to put it in as late as possible (to avoid paying for it), but not so late that it will delay any planned production. Variables such as timing and access to different ore bodies in your lease area/adjoining your lease area needs consideration. Plant constraints and expansion strategies are also important to determine the impact on your mine, and the best time for an upgrade. Maybe there is a different ore body you need to tackle, but when is the right time to do it?The annual planning cycle does not allow enough time to answer these questions, but with MineRP Planner, planning cycles are reduced so dramatically that mines are able to develop multiple alternatives.

MineRP Planner gives miners the ability to examine many more options to reduce costs maximize profits or extend the life of the mine. Beyond annual planning, mines regularly have to create short term plans in response to changed market conditions, or internal disruptive events that leave them short of their targets. MineRP Planner provides strategic, business and short term planning capabilities for any planning horizon.