Which Mine Planning software is extensively used in India?

In the past two decades, the dependence of human life on computers is increased drastically. The applications of storing data and re utilizing the data whenever needed has made it much easier than in the log books. In the present time, the computers are being used in every industry and has become a important part of the human life. Mining Industry, like all other industries is increasingly progressing towards the usage of computers not only in storing the data but also in planning the whole mine.

The significant increase in storage capacity and the processing speeds made the mining industry to rely on computer applications to carry out the designs, monitoring of the designs, scheduling of the operations with large amounts of data storage and retrieval. The various planning software's that are being used in the mining industry are:

1) Mine 2-4D and CADSMine software:-

Once known as Graphic Mining Solutions International (GMSI) has developed and Mine 2-4D and CADSMine software which was then changed the company name to Mine RP. This company has been recently launched and found to be acquired by RungePincockMineraco. Mine2-4D software is used only for planning while the CADSMine Software can be used for range of works which include geological modelling to mine rehabilitation designs.

2) XPAC software:-

Software is developed by RungePincockMineraco can be used for planning and scheduling of open cast and underground coal mines and only open cast metal mines.

3) SURPAC and MINEX software:-

Gemcom now owned by Geovia developed these softwares. SURPAC is mainly used for geological modelling of the ore bodies and designing open cast and underground metal mines. Whereas MINEX is a coal mining software which is used for geological models and mine planning of coal and other stratified ore bodies such as limestone. These softwares can support from exploration to the mine rehabilitation designs in their respective fields.

4) VULCAN software:-

Maptek Vulcan can be used in all the mining scenarios i.e. coal, metal and quarries which may be open cast or underground. This software can also be used for creating geological models and then for planning to mine rehabilitation designs. This software is available in packages which can be available according to the mining scenario.

5) Hexagon's Minesight software:-

Minesight took life in a small consulting company named Mintec which provides planning tools for opencast and underground operations. This software can be used from feasibility studies to daily mine operations planning which also includes long term planning and short term planning.

6) Minemax Software:-

Minemax software named after the name of the company will be completing its 20th anniversary next year which provides planning tools in geological modelling and planning of open pit mines.

7) Carlson Software:-

Carlson Mining software is extensively used in United States coal mines which provides tools for geology, surface mining and underground mining and also assist in other stratified deposits.

8)Datamine:-

Datamine is a software which is used to improvise the mine plans in accordance to the geotechnical difficulties present in the area.

There may be many existing mine planning softwares throughout the global. These ate the few that gained popularity throughout the years and are being used in large number of mines.

The big question which remains unanswered is that which mine planning software is extensively used in India?

SURPAC and MINEX are the softwares that are being extensively used in India and in the World.

While the South African Market uses a different software which is recently acquired by the RPMglobal i.e Mine2-4D software. The market share of planning softwares in the South Africa is shown in the figure.

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Which Mine Planning software is extensively used in India?