Across industries, organisations rely on the timely and efficient utilisation of data management. Today, practically everything can be captured and measured digitally. While these digital means provide a wealth of data, it can be challenging for organisations to make sense of it all.
It is not uncommon to be data rich, yet information poor. This holds true in the mining industry as well.
It is clear that mining is becoming a more precise practice, and accurate mine planning and scheduling are at the forefront of this change. This industry is requesting more integration and automation of critical workflows and has identified the added value of such solutions as a critical competitive edge. Our customers’ goals of improving productivity and lowering operational costs – both safely – are the drive behind our mining solutions business.
Hexagon recently announced its acquisition of Mintec, a key software and service provider for the mining industry.
Hexagon has been active primarily in the operations domain, but the integration of the planning, scheduling optimisation and daily production capabilities of Mintec will enable us to close the loop and control data flow from mine design and planning through production and back into life of mine planning. Hexagon’s vision is to provide a seamless, integrated link between mine planning and real-time fleet management – configurable to our customers’ needs and requirements (providing a comprehensive flow of data across all mining operations).
With a mining solutions portfolio of innovative technologies from our brands Hexagon Solutions, Intergraph, Leica Geosystems, Devex, SAFEmine and now Mintec, Hexagon has the key components to be an important consolidator, providing end-to-end automated workflows and value.
- Leica Geosystems and Devex together provide state-of-the-art, seamlessly integrated real-time fleet management, production optimisation, GPS machine guidance and semi-autonomous control solutions for mining. The revolutionary Leica Jigsaw product range is designed for draglines, blast-hole drills, electric shovels, dozers, excavators, haul trucks, loaders and auxiliary assets.
- Leica Geosystems and Devex offer mine management solutions to maximise production, quality, mine asset usage and asset health, while reducing operational costs and maintenance. Leica Jigsaw and Devex SmartMine have already been proven in more than 150 mines including operations with tight grade control constraints for the plant.
- Plant automation solutions from Intergraph Power, Process & Marine and computer-aided dispatch and mobile workforce management solutions from Intergraph Security Government & Infrastructure help the industry achieve higher production goals and operational excellence through better engineering data management. This allows for improved asset performance from initial design stages to commencement of operations.
- SAFEmine provides comprehensive traffic safety solutions for vehicles operating in open-pit mines. Built around a compact collision avoidance system, SAFEmine technology increases situational awareness and reduces accidents by actively alerting the vehicle operator to imminent threats. The product portfolio includes collision avoidance, vehicle information and driver fatigue monitoring systems.
The Mintec acquisition will permit Hexagon and Mintec to create a unique flow of data across all mining operations and strengthen our common mining solution strategy. We can provide a platform for comprehensive life-of-mine solutions by combining life-of-mine planning consultancy with operational best practice and benchmarking. This will give customers additional value across the entire mining life cycle, filling an important knowledge gap.
We really look forward to working with our Mintec customers, employees and partners in building an even stronger presence in this vital industry.
Providing integrated pit-to-port mining solutions to power smart enterprises – that’s shaping SMART change.
Regards,
