Software solutions provider awarded gold mine contract

Mining and exploration software solutions provider Micromine was awarded a contract to implement its Fleet Management and Optimisation software solution, Pitram Optimum, at gold-producer Gold Fields’ Damang openpit mine, in Ghana, in May.

The contract comprises implementing the latest version of its software to enable the mine to report on fleet movements, and track and monitor the production targets. Micromine will also provide the wireless network needed to communicate the information that is captured on the mining equipment.

“The mine has key performance indicators and targets they want to achieve. Pitram Optimum will provide Damang with the decision-making tools to improve the execution of the mine plan and maximise use of equipment. This will lower operating costs, extend equipment life and help mine managers achieve production goals,” says Micromine business solutions manager for Africa Kyle van der Berg.

Pitram is a real-time mine control and management reporting system that allows mining production personnel to make informed production and safety decisions, run shifts more effec- tively through equipment dispatching, and maximise truck capacities, thereby reducing the variance to the mining plan. Its planning functionality aligns daily production planning with weekly and short-term mine plans. Pitram’s scalable data collection records real-time information relating to equipment locations, equipment status, personnel allocations and production measures.

The system’s real-time view- ing environment helps users visualise mining operations, from risk management and asset tracking to grade optimisation and stockpile management. This provides an overall picture of a site’s operations and the capacity to manage them. Further, Pitram’s reporting, analysis and data integration platform ensures that the data obtained from diverse sources is presented in an organised and integrated way. Through advanced functionality, Pitram offers mining operations of all sizes a scalable and flexible solution for maximising profitability and driving continuous improvement.

The system’s automated solution makes use of wireless networks to transfer data captured by vehicle operators or on-board systems. Pitram uses wireless, or radio frequency identification tags to deter- mine equipment and personnel locations. This reduces the amount of information entered and communicated over voice radio channels; and the use of a touch screen provides imme- diate feedback to operators on equipment alarms and operator errors.

Micromine will start implementing the software in the second quarter of this year and expects it to be fully operational between the end of August and mid-September.

The Damang mine is located in south-western Ghana, about 300 km west of the capital, Accra, and 30 km north of the neighbouring Tarkwa gold mine. A main road connecting to the Port of Takoradi, about 90 km to the south-east, serves the mine.

The mine infrastructure consists of multiple openpits, surface stockpile sources and a carbon-in-leach plant. The Damang mine exploits oxide and fresh hydrothermal mineralisation in addition to Witwatersrand-style, palaeo- placer mineralisation, similar to that of the Tarkwa mine. Damang has a mineral resource of 4,7-million ounces of gold and a mineral reserve of 2,1- million ounces of gold.

The mine recently moved towards owner mining at the operation, which should result in a significant cut in cash costs at the mine.

Edited by: