Detailed short term scheduling

Maptek Evolution Epoch allows planning engineers to produce practical short term schedules that maximise resource use and are aligned with long term mine objectives.

Short term planners face daily challenges. Time-consuming manipulation of data from different sources to create a single scheduling scenario is just one. Limited reporting capability or a convoluted reporting process to bring together different data formats also causes inefficiencies.

With Epoch, engineers can manage multiple mining activities, tasks and equipment and efficiently produce detailed short term schedules. A flexible interface allows users to define mining sequences, and also to manually adjust destinations. Data preparation and processing time decreases from days to hours.

The robust Evolution engine handles complex real world scheduling. Engineers can run what-if scenarios to ensure equipment and plant are maximised while minimising haulage and fuel costs and cycle times.

Automated dependency creation is built in to Epoch. Operations can balance stripping ratios, ensure the mining sequence is practical and account for necessary constraints.

Epoch targets practical schedules of up to 18 months without losing sight of mine life objectives. Users can define calendar events as short as minutes and communicate weekly plans to stakeholders.

Analysing multiple sequences to guide the execution level is achieved via a live dashboard.

Reports and charts are displayed together and planners can step forward in time to evaluate the impact of the current sequence.

Data integration between Evolution and Maptek Vulcan allows engineers to load information and instantly see changes in the schedule, improving the connection with mine planning.

With most schedulers, it is difficult to iterate digging plans and truck requirements. Moreover, there is a high risk of overlapping or competing outcomes when different users solve individual parts of the same scheduling scenario.

With Epoch, integrated haulage and waste dump functionality is delivered through simultaneous route selection, which in turn allows engineers to evaluate the impact on haulage hours.

Epoch architecture matches other Evolution applications – Strategy and Origin – which together provide a single platform for scheduling activities across all strategic to tactical planning horizons.