Hexagon will provide users of its general mine planning software with access to a state-of-the-art modelling tool for managing blasted ore and waste under a new collaboration arrangement with Australian start-up, Augment Technologies.
Augment and Hexagon have worked to integrate the former’s Muckpile Block Model generating capability with Hexagon’s MinePlan Block Model Manager and other software.
Augment uses its flagship Ore Movement Solution (OMP), which leverages a physics engine powered by an AI algorithm, to generate 3D Muckpile Block Models. The models are continuously improved through a machine-learning process.
“The process utilises vast amounts of blasting data to ensure that the model’s controlling parameters and simulated physics are as accurate as possible, resulting in a bespoke solution for each customer,” the companies said in a statement.
Hexagon said the collaboration allowed customers to view and manage a Muckpile Block Model that retained all the data and fidelity of the grade control model, with extremely high accuracy and resolution.
“Users will have the option of incorporating Hexagon’s Blast Movement Monitors as an additional measure for blast movement and for training the AI model, with complete transparency into all the data inputs and output,” it said.
“They can also combine operational data with insights from the Hexagon Block Model Manager API to help optimise upstream and downstream processes, all within a trusted, industry-proven geological modelling software platform.”
Hexagon’s mining resource optimisation vice president, James Dampney, said ore loss, dilution and misclassification was costing mines millions of wasted dollars a year.
“Our partnership with Augment Technologies will help mines to optimise digging locations and downstream handling of ore, resulting in valuable processing efficiency and reductions in energy consumption,” he said.
“Customers will save training time and operation time by remaining in the same software used to model their ore.
“The incorporation of an industry-first block model manager provides auditability and traceability to reduce errors while managers and corporate stakeholders will see time-stamped changes of the block model.”
Augment, formed in 2018, previously worked with Datamine to integrate their software and is understood to be pursuing further partnerships.
