Mining software solutions specialist MICROMINE will exhibit its new data management solution, the Geobank 2019, at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba.

“Geobank 2019 has thus far been a closely guarded secret, but it will be available for delegates coming to our booth at this year’s Indaba,” says MICROMINE Africa marketing coordinator Craig Sternslow.

He states that, while the Geobank 2019 is in the final testing phase and is only expected to be made available by the end of the second quarter in 2019, the company is eager to demonstrate the technology’s potential to Indaba attendees.

The 2019 version of the data management solution will place more emphasis on the validity of data that is imperative for mining and exploration operations. Sternslow says operations that choose to use the new technology will have the ability to store, validate, manipulate and report on the operations data.

“Understanding data will enable mines to make more educated decisions and direct operations to the mine orebody in the most profitable manner.”

He states that Geobank 2019 provides a solid foundation for operations to manage and interpret data responsibly and accurately.

“Clean data is the backbone of automation. Easily accessible data will make the adoption of new technologies easier for mining operations,” outlines Sternslow.

MICROMINE’s current Geobank 2018 data management solution assists mining and exploration companies in maintaining the quality, integrity and usability of their essential data, explains Sternslow. The solution also includes a range of features and benefits aimed at improving the overall usability of the software, making it easier to protect essential data.

Automation and Future Mining

MICROMINE has noted an increase in mining operations moving to adopt automated processes and to digitalise mines.

Sternslow says Africa has previously been a slow adopter of new technologies and digitally minded processes, predominantly because of a lack of infrastructure and development in specific regions.

However, this is changing, he adds enthusiastically. MICROMINE has noted increased interest for fleet management and database management solutions from West and Southern Africa. The increased demand for digitalised monitoring solutions indicates a push towards digitisation in the African mining industry, states Sternslow.

He stresses that local mines are beginning to realise that the potential for increased data capture and analysis using real-time information allows for an increase in operational productivity and efficiency. Sternslow stresses that information technologies will become imperative in the future of mining globally.

“As the industry encounters more challenges, including economic, environmental, social and operational demands, creative responses to these challenges will be required to ensure the continued profitable, yet responsible, functioning of mining operations,” emphasises Sternslow, adding that this can be facilitated by pursuing innovation and technology.

He says MICROMINE employs product strategy managers for each of its products, with continual feedback gathered from the company’s 12 000 global users enabling the company to evolve in line with the requirements of the industry while delivering operational efficiencies at every step of the mining and exploration process.

“MICROMINE’s business strategy and product developments ensure that it keeps abreast of the digitally evolving requirements of the industry to not simply address current needs, but also to push the envelope, while using the latest technology to make mining easier,” concludes Sternslow.