Tools that fit the challenge

Mine planning is a complex process that depends heavily on your objectives, available resources, and the constraints that are in place. While straightforward problems may be solved using basic tools like Microsoft Excel, more sophisticated challenges require purpose-built mine planning software.

There are many software packages on the market, each offering similar core capabilities. But the fundamental differences emerge when you're dealing with complexity. Some platforms are better suited to advanced scheduling, others to haulage or stockpile modelling, and some offer unique features that can be the missing piece in solving a particular challenge.

Suppose you take cost and user familiarity out of the equation. In that case, the most critical differentiators become clear – how intuitive the platform is to use, how fast it runs, how easily you can iterate, and how accurate the results are. In high-stakes scenarios, these factors often determine whether a planning tool becomes a powerful enabler or a limiting constraint.

A real-world example

A mining company engaged Atlantech to deliver a comprehensive revision of its mine plan. The brief included:

1. Re-setting the life-of-mine (LOM) with a new mining and ore production schedule based on a combination of actual shovel performance and new forecasts.
2. Minimising impacts on the project’s financial outcomes.
3. Ensuring no gaps in ore production, aside from the ramp-up phase at the start of the project.
4. Complying with all environmental requirements.
5. Refining the updated mine plan for real-world execution.

These objectives brought several interdependent challenges:

1. Fleet optimisation: Reducing the number of trucks and diggers while maintaining production targets.
2. Maintaining a ratio between Potentially Acid-Generating (PAG) materials with Non-Acid-Generating (NAG) materials in one of the two waste dumps available while still taking the shortest possible haul route and ensuring the correct routes are used based on stage designs. This ensures the trucks do not use temporary in-pit roads that have already been mined out.
3. Grade management: Prioritising higher-grade ore to the crusher while balancing stockpiles.
4. Rapid iteration: Running and comparing multiple mine plan scenarios quickly to find the most effective solution.

Atlantech’s integrated approach

Atlantech used mine planning tools to address different components of the mine plan.

1. CAD for mine designs

Using Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Atlantech redesigned the stages to ensure certain parts of the pit were accessed earlier compared to the feasibility designs, ensuring that the ore production schedule was maintained even with the updated equipment productivities.

Concept stages were first tested by attributing the phasing of the mining blocks to facilitate the sequence. Once validated, final designs were created to ensure on-ground execution would be achievable.

2. Mine Scheduler and stockpile tools

The refined stage designs were imported into a scheduling platform to generate a new material movement and ore production schedule. A stockpile management tool was incorporated into the scheduler to ensure that the stockpiling requirements are in check, and that higher-grade materials are prioritised over lower-grade materials as feed into the crusher.

Different scenarios were run, each with varying equipment productivities to assess the impact on achieving the crusher feed requirements. Animation tools provided visual validation that mining, dumping, and haulage sequencing aligned with the intended design.

3. Haulage System

Atlantech used a haulage system tool to assist in delivering a realistic haulage plan and optimising dumping schedules.

Using this tool, combined with modifications in the scheduler and haulage designs, Atlantech was able to optimise the number of trucks required to reset the schedule and maintain ore production based on updated shovel productivities.

The tool also assisted in managing the haul routes used at each stage of mining, ensuring mined-out in-pit roads are no longer used in the haulage schedule. This reflects a more accurate calculation of the number of trucks required.

An optimisation study was also conducted by relocating stockpiles closer to the pit to see its effect in reducing truck hours.

Results delivered

Atlantech’s tailored, multi-tool approach produced a robust, actionable mine plan that delivers ore to the crushing plant while meeting the client’s operational, environmental, and financial goals.

Key outcomes included:

• A refined life-of-mine schedule that maintained consistent ore delivery to the crushing plant, based on updated mining equipment productivities.
• Optimised truck usage – reducing the overall fleet requirement while maintaining production targets and maximising equipment efficiency.
• A realistic haulage model that improved truck-hour estimates by accurately accounting for stage-specific haul routes and removing outdated in-pit roads from the schedule.
• A dump plan aligned with environmental constraints, ensuring the correct PAG:NAG ratio was maintained in designated waste dumps while taking the shortest viable haul routes to reduce cycle times.
• Preservation of overall project value, even while adapting to changed performance metrics and environmental compliance requirements.

Together, these outcomes demonstrated how a strategic, software-enabled approach can unlock value, reduce risk, and deliver measurable improvements in mine performance.

Partner with Atlantech for smarter mine planning

Atlantech provides technical excellence and innovative consulting services across mining engineering, resource geology, and environmental disciplines. Our experienced team can identify, assess, and resolve complex planning and operational challenges across the entire mining life cycle.

Whether you need to refine a life-of-mine schedule, reduce truck hours, or meet strict environmental constraints, Atlantech has the tools and expertise to help.

Get in touch for a confidential discussion about your mine planning challenges – and discover how Atlantech can assist you in turning complexity into opportunity. Visit www.atlantech.com.au or phone 1300 682 616 to discover more.