MICROMINE aids mining industry in keeping up to date with Industry 4.0
 | MICROMINE aids mining industry in keeping up to date with Industry 4.0_approved | 48.5 KB | Download |
 Preview | Global trends such as Industry 4.0 are transforming the traditional methods deployed to extract ore from rock. | 2.43 MB | Download |
 Preview | Pitram is a fully-configurable solution that captures, monitors, and reports on operational and production data. | 122.82 KB | Download |
 Preview | Software solutions like Pitram can assist mining operations to automate, and boost efficiency dramatically. | 91.92 KB | Download |
As a leading software solutions provider for the mining industry, MICROMINE strives to stay ahead of the curve in terms of trends such as Industry 4.0, commonly referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Industry 4.0 refers to the current trend in automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies, including cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and cognitive computing.
“Currently Pitram is being developed with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning functionalities in the software in order to take the product to the next level,” MICROMINE Africa Marketing Coordinator Craig Sternslow comments. Pitram is a fully-configurable solution that captures, monitors, and reports on operational and production data.
There is an ongoing trend towards increasing automation and even AI to assist mining operations in terms of ‘smart’ optimisation, according to MICROMINE Global Marketing Manager Kate Gilbey. In an industry such as mining, where improving productivity is crucial to profitability, even small improvements in yields, speed, and efficiency can make an extraordinary impact.
“AI and machine learning can assist mining companies to find minerals to extract, a critical component of any ‘smart’ mining operation. Although AI and machine learning is still relatively new in the mining industry, many companies are excited about the prospect of being able to reduce personnel risks, obtain real-time data, and make processes more efficient through these types of advances,” Gilbey highlights.
“As a client’s operation evolves and their needs change, our solutions can be adapted to evolve with the mine. This represents a capital saving to clients, as they can continue using elements of their original, familiar application. Our solutions span the entire mining process, from exploration through to mine production, and cater for all mining-operation needs through the provision of our suite of products, friendly and customer-driven staff, services, and post-implementation support,” Gilbey explains.
MICROMINE’s research and development teams work around the clock to forecast what its clients and future clients will need in their software toolkit. “This means we have to think about where the industry is going. Our products are evolving constantly. Every major update comes with multiple service packs to finetune that product,” Sternslow reveals.
In this regard, MICROMINE is developing new underground mining precision performance software that uses machine learning to refine and enhance loading and haulage processes. It will be released early this year as part of the Pitram fleet management and mine control solution.
Using the processes of computer vision and deep machine learning, onboard cameras are placed on loaders to track variables such as loading, hauling, dumping, and traveling empty time. The video feed is processed on the Pitram vehicle computer edge device, following which the extracted information is then transferred to Pitram servers for processing and analysis.
In environments where network connectivity is intermittent or does not exist, field computers become critical for computations and integration. Geobank Mobile is designed to operate in this edge computing environment. It has the ability to integrate directly with field measurement devices to deliver a practical and efficient solution to the user.
“An exciting new development in terms of Geobank Mobile is its integration with Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras to capture imagery of the drill hole core,” Gilbey reveals. For example, AngloGold Ashanti Australia is using this technology with a camera mounted to a mechanised track that sits above the chip tray.
It automatically takes photographs of drill hole geological chip samples. Through seamless integration, these photographs are fed from the camera to the Geobank Mobile solution, which has been configured to rename the file based on the hole identifier.
“As an industry leader in mining software, with offices located strategically all over the world, we are trusted advisors to our clients and can offer sound advice as well as solutions for every need throughout the mining cycle. Our main aim as a software provider is simply to ‘Make Mining Easier’. Mining operations must not be afraid to change and to adapt to the changing mining environment,” Sternslow concludes.
Ends
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Notes to the Editor
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About MICROMINE
MICROMINE is a leading provider of innovative software solutions that span the breadth of the mining cycle, from geological exploration and data management to resource estimation, mine design, planning and production control. Customers use MICROMINE software to maximise their asset value, increase productivity, and to make reliable decisions. Our software is renowned for its ease-of-use, together with its powerful capabilities. All products are available in numerous languages and are supported by local experts. Founded 30 years’ ago, MICROMINE solutions are used at more than 2 000 sites in over 90 countries.
MICROMINE Contact
Kate Gilbey
Global Marketing Manager
Cell: +61 414 605 160
Email: kgilbey [at] micromine [dot] com
Media Contact
Nomvelo Buthelezi
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867 7763
Fax: 086 512 3352
Cell: 083 408 8911
Email: nomvelo [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ngage.co.za
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