QuantyMine

Overview

QuantyMine is new integrated 3D digital mining software built on our own platform and operated entirely in Chinese. It gives mine geologists, surveyors and mining engineers a shared working platform for clear production planning, efficient communication and continuous data sharing and use. It consists of seven subsystems: integrated mine information management, computer-aided mine geological map compilation, mine 3D visualization, 3D visual reserve calculation, computer-aided mining plan preparation, smelter production management, and mine network applications. It applies to geological exploration, resource assessment, reserve estimation, mine design and production management.

Key features

A theme-based shared geological database platform

Built around a theme-based point-source database, it establishes a unified common data platform for the mine and manages the mining area's multi-source, multi-dimensional information by computer. Object-relational database technology stores, manages and shares all geological data in one place — geological, geophysical, geochemical, remote sensing, mineral and results data, including the attribute data, vector graphics and raster images acquired during exploration, design and mining. The data structure follows national standards and the requirements of national digitization, enabling full information sharing and coordinated management across multiple mines.

Computer-aided compilation of professional geological maps

Connected seamlessly to the data collection modules used in mine exploration and production, it extracts data from the theme-based geological point-source database to compile all kinds of mine geological maps automatically or with computer aid — such as topographic–geological maps of the mining area, exploration line sections, level geological plans, orebody projections, composite borehole logs and floor and roof contour maps of ore seams. Map styles are standard and legends conform to national standards.

3D geological modelling and full visualization of the mine

The system builds integrated surface and underground 3D geological models of the mine, including 3D spatial models of orebodies, deposits and complex geological structures, and a complete true-3D virtual mine environment. In it, users can display, analyse and manage the mine's structural, compositional, environmental and process information in real time, with support for complex professional spatial queries, measurement, spatial analysis and specialist applications.

It delivers five kinds of 3D visualization of mine geological data:

1. Expression: 3D representation of the spatial geometry of strata, lithology, structures, orebodies and other geological entities, and of their attributes, such as lithology, grade distribution and genesis.
2. Analysis: vector cutting, overlay, buffer, trend and network analysis of geological bodies in 3D. It helps users understand and communicate engineering data and calculation results, simulate production processes in advance, analyse and judge geological data correctly, and support decisions on specific problems in mine production — a convenient and effective tool.
3. Mining design: design of open pits, underground workings and tailings facilities in a 3D visual environment, including computer-aided design of yearly open-pit limits, stockpiles, waste dumps, haulage drifts and exploration adits.
4. Production process: storing and automatically updating production data for each stage of the mine in 3D, recording more intuitively how the mine was worked at each stage of its history.
5. Decision-making: letting decision-makers compare and select production plans and options directly in 3D, to maximize the company's production efficiency.

Multiple reserve estimation methods and fast response to the market

Users can run several kriging reserve estimations in a 3D visual environment and carry out dynamic estimation, assessment and management of mineral reserves, supporting dynamic monitoring of mine reserves. Based on economic parameters, the system can quickly set a new cut-off grade, extract and display database data and block models, quickly determine the new ore tonnage and metal content, revise the mining method and recalculate mining costs, and guide new production plans — so the mining company can respond quickly to changes in international markets. The technology supports sound decisions on orebody grade parameters within a company or group.

The system also fully computerizes two traditional methods, the section method and the geological block method, combining resource and reserve estimation with the output of result maps and reports.

Efficient tools for mine scheduling

The system gives mining engineers the tools they need to design open-pit or underground mines and prepare production plans: efficient schedules and pit-limit optimization. Mine designers can maximize net present value, balance schedules, optimize ore blending and dumping points and choose the best mining plan; quickly produce long-, medium- and short-term production schedules; and finalize mining plans and generate stripping and mining work plans.

Good compatibility

QuantyMine is seamlessly compatible with widely used CAD, GIS and mining software in China and abroad, including AutoCAD, MapGIS, MicroStation, ArcGIS and MapInfo, and the 3D mining packages Datamine, Surpac, Micromine and MineSight.