C O N N E C T I O N S

The newsletter for users of GMSI software 

June 2008 Edition

Welcome to the June 2008 Edition of Connections, the newsletter for users of GMSI software.  We hope you enjoy the fresh new look of our newsletter and welcome any enquiries regarding further details of any articles contained herein.

Contents

Dates are decided, the venue has been booked and a draft schedule completed. 

Examples of topics to be covered at the conference will include:

• Mine2-4D v14 development update

• Mine2-4D Enterprise

• Virtual Reality in EPS Viz 

• Interactive open pit scheduling

• Infrastructure management systems

• Feasibility integration from geology to financials 

• Underground surveying using mineMarkup

• Mineral Resource Management (MRM) deployment - a case study

• Surveying the Fakawi way

• Servicing operations using mineServ

• Change management for changing times

• Remote blasting with BlastPed

We still have some speaking slots available if you have an interesting project, method or experience that you would like to share.

Pricing details are as follows;

A full registration brochure will be released in late June 2008. 

Back to Contents

Testing and release process

The testing and release process for all GijimaAst applications has recently been overhauled. The goal is to improve the quality of the product delivered to clients while maintaining the responsiveness to client needs. Investment in a dedicated testing and QA system for each application is key to this process.

The mineCAD and Mine2-4D applications have a history of being supported dynamically through regular updates containing fixes and enhancements as demanded by the users. The challenge for the new system is to maintain this flexibility and responsiveness, while providing the time required to test the quality of the product being released.

To achieve this, a number of changes have been implemented to the release process, and a three tiered system is available to suit each clients needs.

Tier 1 – The comfort zone: For clients that only wish to use rigorously quality assured versions of the applications, full client releases of the products will be provided through the product websites every 10 weeks in the form of installs. These versions will have undergone full regression testing to ensure that any bug fixes and enhancements have been tested through a newly planned QA and testing system. Clients can choose to install new versions at any point in their mine planning cycle so as to cause the least impact to users.

Tier 2 – The latest and greatest: For clients that wish to receive more regular updates and are willing to accept the risk of an occasional glitch in the software, the existing WebUpdater and service packs will continue to deliver critical bug fixes and enhancements. As always, if a glitch is discovered, it will be quickly resolved and fixes redistributed causing minimum interruption to users. The frequency of release will be reduced slightly from previous levels so that a more rigorous testing phase can be incorporated before a component is released through this mechanism.

Tier 3 – Living on the edge: When a client is in the process of testing the development of a new feature of an application or assisting in the debugging of an issue, they can opt to use the soon to be released Beta WebUpdater. This provides access to the Beta components straight from the developers computers allowing dynamic testing and development to occur. This feature would only ever be enabled by an end user under the advice of GijimaAst representatives.

Back to Contents

On-line ticketing system

The Novo Solutions web-based system for software support that was first rolled out to Canadian customers is now available for use in Australia. 

Do you have a logon ?  If not please contact our Help Desk Coordinator Cheryl Beckers on support_aus@gijimamining.com or +61 (0)7 3210 0569.

We also add tickets for phone and email support queries so over time will be able to provide customers with detailed statistics on the types of issues encountered, response and resolution times.  If you have specific ideas on the types of reports that would be of use to you, please contact our Applications Manager Adam White on adamw@gijimamining.com

Knowledge base

Did you know that there is an on-line knowledge base system available to users of Mine2-4D, EPS and mineCAD products ?

The Novo Solutions on-line support system contains searchable content that we continually update and add to.  For each of our major product lines there are “How-to” documents, tips and tricks, and solutions to known problems.

Back to Contents

Dependency filters

Did you know that EPS V2 includes dependency filters ? 

Ensure you have the toolbar activated. From there it is a simple case of selecting the activity, defining the number of predecessors and successors to display, and hitting the dependency filter button.

Automatically generate temporary filters based on the selected cells in the Task Table to easily restrict the list of viewed tasks. Select a field for a task with the desired value and click on the Create Temporary Filter button. A filter based on the selected value for the selected field will be generated and automatically applied.  Repeat the process to narrow the filter by building on the already existing filter conditions. A similar function exists to generate permanent filters in the Project Setup under the filters sections.

Graphical Dependency Creation

EPS V2 users who have the EPS Viz module now have the capability to create dependencies between activities from the graphical interface.  Define the dependency properties using the toolbar options, click on the first activity, hold control and click on the next and subsequent activities, and finally click on the Add Dependencies in EPS button. The links will instantly be reflected in your EPS schedule.

EPS Viz also supports selecting an activity graphics window and having the corresponding bar chart item selected and displayed in EPS.

Back to Contents

mineCAD Solids Modeling 

Did you know that mineCAD now has a series of user friendly boolean operations available in the Solids Modeling module?

Intuitive toolbar style processes make it quick and easy to derive surfaces and closed solids from source data that are very handy for presentations and downstream data processing.

The example below shows the following process for creating a final mining surface. 

• Simplify topography surface - numbers of triangles reduced by 58% with a surface area change of 0.8% (faces reduced from 183,000 to 77,000)

• Create perimeter and trim topography surface - further reduces file size, graphics speed and focuses on area of interest

• Merge topography with final pit shell - valid surface without holes, ready for presentation or downstream data processing

Back to Contents 

Cape Town office – recruiting staff now

GijimaAst Mining Solutions International is establishing itself in Cape Town. Already we have office space secured and several new staff who will be based there.  Our plan is to grow a small consulting group of 10 people within the next 12 months. The group will service clients in Africa and Western Europe on feasibility studies, due diligence, life of mine planning and project management.  If you think you may be interested in a consulting position based in Cape Town and the enviable lifestyle that goes with it, please contact Bruce MacBeth at bruce.macbeth@gijima.com

Anglo Platinum SAP Contract

GIJIMA AST GROUP LIMITED (GijimaAst) announced that it has been awarded a contract to deliver a full complement of SAP support services to Anglo Platinum for all their South African Operations as well as those in Zimbabwe and Zurich.  This includes mining operations, refineries and beneficiation plants as well as administration and support areas. This substantial win has a total contract value of over R122 million and will span the next five years. 

For additional information, click the following link

http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page674?oid=46541&sn=Detail

Back to Contents

New Perth Office

Our expanding Perth based consulting team has recently moved into new offices in Subiaco.  Feel free to drop in and say hello if you are in the area.

2/44 Denis St
Subiaco, WA, 6008
Tel:  +61 (0)8 9388 1754
Fax: +61 (0)8 9388 3581

Back to Contents 

Australian Training Update 

In response to the ever increasing demand for training services from GijimaAst's 500+ user base in Australia, we took the step of creating a dedicated training manager position in the company in March.

Tony Fooks was appointed to the position and brings with him a long background in IT, education and training. He has already made an impact on the waiting list that had been in place for training courses and we are now in a position to be far more responsive to client's training needs at shorter notice.  As well as running the technical training courses, Tony is building up detailed statistics and records of the user base at each site and the levels of users and the training that has been completed. This will be an invaluable resource for those sites looking to actively manage the skills set and future training needs for their technical services personnel in a coordinated and planned fashion.

To discuss any of your training needs, please do not hesitate to contact Tony on:

tonyf@gijimamining.com

+61 (0)8 9388 1754 

Back to Contents

BRW Corporate Triathlon

Both the Perth and Brisbane offices entered teams into this year's BRW Corporate Triathlon events in their respective cities.

The challenge was set for which team could complete the fastest combined time, with the more experienced Brisbane team held back by a 6 minute handicap.

With a combined time of 2hrs 38mins minutes, Brisbane took out the interoffice grudge match even after applying the handicap. Better luck next year Perth team !

GijimaAst Perth Tri Team; Pat Banks, John Bailey and Blake Marriott

GijimaAst Brisbane Tri Team; Jason Fratus, Adam White and Dylan Webb

Back to Contents 

Schedule Optimization Tool (SOT) Update

Developed by Mirarco in Canada, the genetic algorithm based SOT tool was launched in Sudbury during April 2008. GijimaAst sponsored a boat cruise in conjunction with the event.

The SOT tool will be released in the next quarter at completion of the current internal testing phase. It will be available as an add-on module to EPS, from where the base data is sourced.

GijimaAst has an agreement in place to publish and distribute SOT on behalf of Mirarco.  For more information on the release, click the link below.   

http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1066889

Smarter Mine Scheduling

The first of its kind in underground mining, SOT uses automated genetic algorithms and heuristic rules to create thousands of scheduling alternatives that are ranked according to your detailed financials.

• Think strategically - SOT reduces risk with schedules that adhere to all specified constraints and financial inputs.

• Make EPS even smarter - SOT’s export feature enables seamless review and manipulation of optimized schedules in EPS (Enhanced Production Scheduler).

• Maximize your mine value - SOT creates schedules in a fraction of the time of traditional methods, with options that typically yield a higher Net Present Value.

Back to Contents