Partnering for success

A strategic partnership between Rio Tinto and Maptek provided technical expertise and consulting services, while simultaneously upskilling Rio Tinto teams.

In late 2023, Rio Tinto approached Maptek with several requests relating to time-sensitive and intricate design tasks for their Simandou project in the Republic of Guinea in West Africa. The Simandou mountain range subsoils contain a world-class high-grade iron ore reserve. 

The project involved accessing and designing haul roads in challenging terrain—a task made more difficult by equipment limitations. With the complexity of the work at hand, and strict deadlines for completion, Rio Tinto sought support from Maptek to ensure the project’s success.

A subject matter expert from the Maptek Technical Services team was appointed as a consultant to oversee and execute the project. Mining Engineer Adrian Solorzano worked closely with Rio Tinto to meet their operational deadlines, providing technical assistance for Maptek Vulcan as necessary.

Technical expertise around advanced haul road design proved to be invaluable to the success of the project.

Solorzano managed the technical aspects of the operations and also provided Rio Tinto with insights that aided their decision making throughout.

Future-proofing

Prioritising knowledge transfer and upskilling within Rio Tinto embodies the Maptek principle of being Smarter Together.

Training sessions are planned with the Rio Tinto team in their London office, where reflection on the Vulcan methods applied during the Simandou project will equip them with skills to tackle similar challenges in the future.

This commitment underscores the Maptek approach to long term client success—providing tools to enable miners to make better decisions today to future-proof their operations—rather than focussing on short-term problems.

The partnership between Maptek and Rio Tinto extends beyond individual projects. Maptek regularly invites Rio Tinto product users to regional workshops, providing a platform to exchange valuable feedback and ideas. 

Close collaboration between Maptek technical teams and Rio Tinto product users reinforces the strong partnership that has developed between the two companies. Continuous engagement is mutually beneficial, with Rio Tinto gaining access to innovative tools and Maptek receiving input to modify and enhance its solutions.

The collaboration between Maptek and Rio Tinto on the Simandou project is a clear example of how strategic partnerships can lead to success in the mining industry. 

Maptek continues to play a pivotal role in helping companies navigate difficult challenges. Partnering with Maptek offers access to cutting-edge solutions, expert consulting and a commitment to ensuring sustainable success.

Thanks to
Rio Tinto, Simandou