Maptek mine design challenge brings rewards
Wednesday, November 21st, 2018
The Maptek Mine Design Prize project is among the most challenging, rewarding and valuable aspects of their university studies, according to the 2018 competition winners.
The annual University of Adelaide award, first introduced in 2010, requires groups of Mining Engineering students to create optimised mining pit and underground designs and schedules from an industry dataset using Vulcan software.
Adam, Ellen, Munkhjargal and Shae received the 2018 Maptek Mine Design Prize.
This year Munkhjargal Chukhal, Shae Daniel, Ellen Fryar and Adam Zanardo took out the $1000 prize, announced at the University of Adelaide School of Civil, Environmental & Mining Engineering Centenary Ball at the National Wine Centre in September.
Adam said the project had been highly rewarding and they had found Vulcan very user-friendly.
‘I think it was probably the best subject we’ve done in terms of what we actually do when we get out into the field,’ Adam said.
The group with Maptek founder Bob Johnson and University of Adelaide Associate Professor Chaoshui Xu.
‘Vulcan really helps you to visualise the mine.’
Munkhjargal and Ellen concentrated on most of the open pit aspects of the project, while Adam and Shae focused on underground.
‘We put in a lot of hours,’ Shae said.
‘I think we worked well as a group, everyone has their own strengths.
‘It’s been one of the best things about uni – actually working with software that is used in the industry.’
Ellen agreed: ‘We got to implement and put into practice what we’ve learnt over the past few years.’
Maptek Senior Technical Sales Specialist, Steve Sullivan provided the Vulcan software training and judged the award.
‘I enjoy providing tuition that is relevant to the students’ post-educational careers in mining,’ Steve said.
‘The winning team stood out due to their broad use of Vulcan software functionality including a video produced in Vulcan showing their final mine design scenarios.’
Maptek founder Bob Johnson speaks to the 2018 Maptek Mine Design Prize winners.
The winners visited Maptek last week where founder of the global technology company Bob Johnson presented the trophy and led a tour of the research and development facility.
University of Adelaide Postgraduate Research Coordinator Associate Professor Chaoshui Xu said industry support was vital for students’ development.
‘It’s fundamental for them to understand mine planning and use commercial software,’ Dr Xu said.
Maptek has a long-standing commitment to supporting students and academic institutions.
Learn more about Maptek University Partnerships here: www.maptek.com/university/
