Minex 5

Minex 5.2
Mine Design
Minex5.2 incorporates a full open cut design suite. Designs can be divided into mine
benches, strips and blocks. The design can be generated automatically up or down form
an initial toe or crest. Designs can incorporate ramps on the bench walls or the internal
strip walls. The design tools are equally valid in designing dumps.
Open Pit Reserves
The new reserves module allows the engineer to generate mining blocks of volume and
quality for the layers in his design. The data is stored in a keyed database for fast display
and reporting.
Texture Surfaces
Major enhancements have been made to the support of textures for draping on Minex
surfaces. Support for GeoTIFF, ECW and many other common aerial photography file
types has been added.
Coal Washability System
This new module stores and manipulates coal wash data based on size fractions, density
fractions and yield. The system can be run with incremental or cumulative analytical
data. Data can be extracted from the system to produce products at a particular plant
density or specification (8% ash say). Using the interface between the coal washability
and the seam modelling system users can model the full wash plant data to generate yield
and ash data at a variety plant densitys 1.4 1.45 1.5 etc. These models can be used by
mine planning to predict area yield and product specifications.
Borehole ODBC
The Minex borehole database now supports connections to ODBC databases such as
Access or SQL Server or Oracle. This will allow Minex to connect seamlessly to your
corporate borehole data storage systems.
Borehole Acquire API
Minex5.2 includes connection to the acQuire borehole management system using the
acQuire API.

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Minex 5
KEY
Available 5.1
Available 5.2
5.3

Geostats, structure,
Vein, jackknifing
GEMS SQL
DATABASE
acQuire

Seam modelling
with Faulting

Pit Opt

OC Design &
Reserves

SCHEDULING

Survey
COAL
WASHABILITY

Drill & Blast

Earthworks
Spoil Regrade
Minex Core underpins all systems (strings, volumes, grids, plotting)

There are two main technical gaps in Minex 5. These are Geostatistics and
Scheduling:
Variogram analysis will be added to Minex 5 using the methods developed
in the Surpac product.
The Minex 4 Scheduler will be re-designed and ported to Minex 5 in 2007
starting almost immediately.
Other work scheduled for 2007 includes
Converting to Minex 5 any Minex 4 Geology and Engineering tools that
would stop users adopting Minex 5
AutoCAD update. Minex 5 currently supports DXF and DWG input and
output to version 2000. The plan is to update to 2008 versions
DWF. The AutoCAD DWF (drawing web format) is becoming a universal
format for creating & archiving drawings. This format appears to provide
all the functions of the Minex CGM and the Minex archive and it is
intended this will replace both CGM and Archives
Fast and easy to use sections and plans. Currently section creation is
cumbersome and work will focus on rapid section plotting from the 3D
and 2D design window.
Composite plots. Improving the functionality and ease of use for plots
with multi elements
Title Block Creation
Picture/Plot Editing
Internationalization of the GUI

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Minex 5

GEMS

GEMS is a GMP product that has traditionally competed directly with Surpac.
It is focused in handling mineralised deposits (like Surpac) and covers all of the
major Survey, Geology and Engineering functionality required for mining.
It covers the mining process from Exploration through to Mine Production
GEMS collaborative data sharing model is of particular interest here and is
certainly a good example of why this merger made so much sense
If you buy the enterprise-ready GEMS SQL edition, you get a collaborative
solution with shared, secure data access
Centralised data storage
Secure user logins
Data can be flagged as read only or hidden completely from other
users or user groups
Pack and Go
Backups
Security
Audit ability

GEMS 6.1
Technical Release: end April 2007
Image Draping
Draping of geo-technical images over a triangulation surface
Enhanced Tunnel Design
Its just that simple: GEMS automatically turns the lines you draw into a complete
underground tunnel design that includes safety bays and filleted intersections.
Features to get you up and running quickly
If you use GEMS Desktop you can now use pre-defined profiles and workspaces so you
can start working on your projects right away. Also, to get you started quickly each day,
GEMS can now automatically load your previous session data on GEMS startup.
Web Publishing
Similar to the VRML or the HSF export in Surpac.
Performance Improvements
General performance improvements in the software. Like all software products users
always want more, more quickly!
More Capability
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Minex 5

Improved display precision where blocks intersect triangulation

boundaries
Draping of geo-technical images over a triangulation surface
Colour profiles - extended colours and auto-assigned colour ranges
Display of triangulations with selected block values
Drillhole compositing improvements
Re-use of loose material volume and density calculations
Ability to publish to the Gemcom Insite web portal

Improved Productivity
Access to all point data from within GEMS
Easier creation and modification of profiles while in workflows
Improved solid and surface clipping
Improved clipping boundary
New measuring tool for quick display of distance, azimuth, dip,
Added toolbars and new Standard toolbar buttons
Performance improvements in several areas

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Minex 5

Whittle
Whittle is a suite of strategic mine planning tools designed for professional mine
planners. Foundation is the core of the Whittle range, rich in features on its own, yet
ready to accept a growing range of modules which extend and enhance its capabilities.
Professional mine planners can start with Foundation and add modules as their
requirements grow.
Essentials (Whittle Foundation)
Foundation enables users to rapidly and easily import, manipulate and visualise resource
models, build pit slope, operational and economic models and optimise pit shapes. Users
can run three types of life-of-mine schedules including benchmark schedules and
graphically analyse the results.
Data Importation
The system accepts data in the industry standard Whittle format. Resource model
files are imported, with or without a Parameters File. On completion of
importation, a detailed grade and tonnage is provided to assist in reconciliation
processes. Three dimensional interactive visualization aids is an invaluable tool
for examining the ore body structure.
Model Manipulation
The system can transform block models, using a broad range of operation. Models
can be extended, truncated, merged, and split. Global changes can be made to
element data and complex equations can be used to write positional variables into
the model.
Pit Slope Modelling
The system provides the most comprehensive and flexible slope modelling system
available for pit optimization. Pit slope definitions are defined for the whole
model in a variety of flexible ways. Simple rectangular regions can be used, or
alternatively, any shape slope region can be used by assigning slope profiles to
individual blocks. Up to fifty slope profiles are defined with each profile
consisting of up to eight bearing / slope pairs. Profiles are then assigned to
different parts of the block model, with total flexibility in the definition of slope
region shapes.
Pit Optimisation
Pit optimisation is carried out by a Whittle implementation of the well known
Lerchs Grossmann algorithm. The pit optimisation function permits:
Very simple or very complex pit slope modelling, including the application of
user defined additional arcs, to represent irregular contiguous structures.

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Easy user definition of expensive blocks. Expensive blocks are used to represent
lease boundaries or immovable objects such as processing plants, which cannot be
under-mined.
Price, cost and processing models can be as simple or as complex as the user
requires. Expressions can be used to make costs and prices vary with position in
the model and/or grade, or in response to a broad range of special functions and
operators.
Pit optimization is controlled by a range of userdefined settings, which affect the
precise manner in which the optimization proceeds. Up to 100 optimal pit outlines
are produced in a single run. These are used as the basis for pit and push-back
designs and for a range of sensitivity, risk and what-if analysis.
Economic Scenarios
The user sets the base case for scheduling and analysis, including costs, prices,
throughput limits, recoveries etc. Mine planners can apply the same settings used
in the pit optimization or modify them in order to apply special analysis
techniques. The vast majority of the settings in the Economic Scenario can be
changed over time, adding to the sophistication of the model.
Analysis and graphs
The user specifies the use of three different life-of-mine scheduling techniques,
and view graphs of the results, or export data for spreadsheet analysis. Each
analysis generates a comprehensive report, outlining all the assumptions and
settings, and the details of all the life of mine schedules produced.
Data Export
A large range of data and reports can be exported or printed such as Audit reports
for each model import, block models, schedules, pit outlines, and analysis data.
Data visualisation
The system incorporates an interactive 3D viewer for instant visual examination
of block models, pit outlines, push-backs and mining schedules.

ADDITIONAL MODULES:
1) Multi-mine optimisation - allows for the inclusion of multiple mines, all within a
single block model. With this system, users will be able to perform a single optimisation
over the whole framework, while maintaining individual work constraints for each mine.
2) Blend optimisation - allows a blending optimisation to be performed on a mining
sequence produced in Whittle, or imported into the system. This is no black box
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solution. The process is under the total guidance of the engineer, who has tremendous
control over the assumptions, models and constraints which control the optimisation
process.
3) Multi-element mines - allow up to ten elements to be defined in the model. Individual
elements are reported separately and the grades and quantities of each element are
available for use in user-defined expressions, graphs and reports.
4) Pushbacks - allows a user to find the best set of push backs to maximise net present
value (NPV) for a specified final pit and a user-specified number of pushbacks.
5) Stockpile and cut-off optimisation - re-schedules the mining sequence, taking into
account all the constraints and setting in Whittle and optimising the stockpile utilisation
and cut-off strategy. The process uses a Whittle adaptation of the Lane approach to
stockpile and cut-off optimisation.
6) Ultimate optimisation algorithm (Milawa) - The Milawa Algorithm module adds a
new dimension to life-of-mine scheduling. It optimises the schedule, taking into account
all you production and economic constraints, while seeking to maximise NPV.
Alternatively, it can be used to balance your schedule, by seeking to maximise the
utilisation of available mining and processing capacity.
7) Create custom value models (Value Expressions) - Value Expressions provides
Whittle users with increased flexibility on how block values are calculated. Specifically,
the module permits block values to be either user defined, or based directly on values in
the model file for pit optimisation, analysis and scheduling. User-defined block
evaluation allows users to build expressions for costs and prices, and allows summation
to be applied over parcels.

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Minex 5

InSite

InSite is a mine performance management system

It combines data capture with Business Intelligence, to provide a decision support
system that can be used across the mining value chain
There are four major parts to InSite:
ODM collects the production data
Database stores and collates the data
Business Intelligence cube turns the stored data into information
Web portal gives the user the view of the data

1) Optimise tactical decision making

Drill down to an appropriate level of granularity to investigate problems
Metrics and reports that can be used to identify opportunities for reducing
operational costs
Analytics that can improve equipment utilisation and plant efficiency
Historical information about processes and activities to optimise
outsourcing plans and management of contractors
Volume, tonnage, grade, rock type and hardness of ore flow information in
near real time to improve plant management
Reconciled product data from mine to mill
Measurements that help identify and manage bottlenecks
2) Enhance production planning and performance management
Rapid comparison of actual mine production to the Resource model,
which allows timely variance and bias analysis
Rapid comparison of actual mine production to planning product data,
enabling timely corrective actions to be implemented
Increased productivity and throughput by providing the information and
tools needed for detailed analysis of processes, tasks and activities across
the mine
3) Better management of reserves
Reserves represent the economic potential of the mine
Support Reserve reporting reconciliation
Audit reserve depletion reports
Enable better management of ore inventories by reporting the movement
of ore to and from inventory locations
4) Corporate / governance reporting
InSite provides data of record which increases your ability to meet increasingly stringent
reporting requirements and regulations now and in the future.
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5) Strategic alignment of operations

Embeds key performance metrics in routine operational and management
reporting systems
Provides senior management oversight capability through single
web-portal access to up-to-the-minute planning and production
data from mine sites throughout the organisation
Extends the standardisation of corporate IT systems to mine
production information systems through open integration with
enterprise business support systems
6) Deliver value to everyone
InSite is configured individually for each mine site. A key component of the solution is
the understanding that acceptance across the mine begins with delivering real value to all
of those involved with the system, from the CEO down to the mine operators. This
includes ensuring that InSite is available to assist mine operators to succeed in their jobs,
helping to define and configure self-sustaining business processes so as to provide
motivation to continuously contribute to the ongoing accuracy of data input

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Minex 5

MineSched
MineSched is a scheduling solution that has been designed to simplify and improve how
resources are utilised. It does so by eliminating the need to employ numerous complex
spreadsheets and applications. The system, which works with mine planning systems, is
used by major mining companies all over the world to support their short term and longterm scheduling needs, while also providing them the ability to explore different
scheduling scenarios.
1) Production scheduling
The production scheduler meets all production needs for both surface and underground
operations. With total flexibility in resource definition, its use ranges from long term
feasibility studies to detailed shift by shift scheduling of resources, mining and ancillary
activities. Mining constraints can be applied to ensure that practical schedules are
generated.

Scheduling from block, polygonal and grid models with any number of
materials and qualities
Interactive graphical sequencing with tonnage and grade reporting during
block design and selection
Flexible time periods integrated with resource calendars
Date and event driven parameter changes give control to the user
MineBlend material ratio target scheduling
Mining directions, bench lags, face geometry, bench, group and location
limits and other mining constraints ensure practical schedules
Ancillary activity scheduling (i.e. drilling, blasting, back filling)
Resource allocation and levelling ensure resource capacities are never
exceeded
Multiple output formats including customisable reports in Excel, Access,
Microsoft Project Gantt charts, 2D maps and 3D animations
Animations include visualisation of mining, dumping, ancillary activities,
stockpiles, resources and end of period pit surfaces, with mining blocks
coloured by period, location or material

2) Blending
The blending module is an extension to the production scheduling module. It uses
MineScheds proprietary algorithm MineBlend to meet grade targets at the mine, on
stockpiles and at the process. MineBlend is a unique combination of satisficing and
optimising sub-algorithms. These sub-algorithms are dynamically applied as the schedule
is created, and it is the combination of the sub-algorithms which delivers both excellent
results and performance.
3) U/G development scheduling
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Minex 5

The development module schedules the mine design and integrates with the production
module to link underground development to stope production. With the ability to
visualise and interact with your data in 3D, the user has total control over the scheduling
process.

Scheduling parameters can change at any point along a development

heading
Powerful constraint definition on any group of headings
Resources allocated to headings based on user defined priorities and
constraints
Scheduling based on heading length, volume, tonnage or quantity of any
product
Sophisticated algorithm automatically levels resource allocation to ensure
a practical and optimum result
Development tonnage and grade reporting from block, polygonal and grid
models
Multiple output formats including Excel, Access, Microsoft Project Gantt
charts, 2D rainbow plans, and graphical 3D animation of development
advance

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