Queensland's Dugald River deploys Micromine software to capture real-time data

Micromine has implemented its fleet management and mine control solution, Pitram, at Dugald River in north-west Queensland.

The Dugald River mine is owned by MMG Limited which in 2016 announced an optimised mine plan to support a 1.7Mtpa operation with annual production of around 170,000 tonnes of zinc in zinc concentrate, plus by-products.

The deployment of Pitram enables control room administrators to capture live data to ensure data accuracy while aiming to increase efficiencies and control over equipment, tasks and personnel.

Chris Rowohlt, business development manager for Pitram, comments, "Real-time data entry allows the control room to make proactive decisions which ensure the operation can run safely and efficiently to maximise output.

Moreover, Pitram utilises voice radio data capture, allowing production data to be entered into Pitram via radio communication.

Pitram's Materials Management module is also included in the deployment and utilises mine design, survey and production data to provide real-time stockpile balances throughout the mining operation.

"The Pitram Materials Management module adds value to the Dugald River operation by providing an accurate method of tracking the material flow including grades from source to processing," Rowohlt says.

MMG Dugald River Mine technical services superintendent Rhett de Vries says, "The implementation of Pitram has provided Dugald River with a robust Mine Control solution that will allow the operation to record, manage and process mine site data in real-time.

"Improvements in safety, productivity and reporting efficiency are already being realised, and the business looks forward to leveraging these benefits as the operation ramps up.

Pitram includes Controlled Areas, Drill and Blast modules. The Drill and Blast modules provide tools for planning and managing drill and blast operations.

The Controlled Areas module aims to improve safety by monitoring access to dangerous and hazardous areas.

Rowohlt adds, "We are very excited to have implemented Pitram at Dugald River. Pitram will provide MMG with an overall view of the current mine status, therefore enabling more control over the operation.