In the mining industry, efficiency isn’t just a goal, it’s a necessity. One of the most critical pain points for mines is tracking the so-called “underground lockup”, the blasted but unutilized material left underground. Traditionally, this process was labor-intensive, error-prone, and reliant on manual data entry. But Mineware Consulting’s new underground lockup tracking functionality is changing that.
The Challenge: Tracking Blasted Material
When miners blast, they are incentivized by productivity metrics linked to “advance”, which is the distance moved forward in the mining process. The more they blast, the more they are paid. But not all blasted material is immediately removed and sent to the processing plant. Rocks and minerals often remain underground, creating a backlog of valuable, untapped resources.
Historically, mines relied on Excel sheets or handwritten logs to track this unutilized material. A designated employee would manually record the location and volume of these lockups and then compile reports for management. This manual system was slow, vulnerable to human error, and difficult to verify for accuracy or dishonesty.
The Solution: Automated Tracking with Mineware Consulting’s Software
Mineware Consulting’s new underground lockup functionality transforms this process by digitizing and automating it. No longer dependent on manual entries, the system allows any person on-site who visits or inspects a workplace to capture data on how much material is lying unutilized in gullies or other areas underground.
With every update, the system records the volume and location of unprocessed material. Any changes in this volume, such as new blasts, material moved, or material processed, are automatically tracked, creating a clear, auditable record. This automation significantly reduces the risk of human error and controls for potential dishonesty in reporting.
Lockup Inventory System: Tracking with Precision
How much is locked up underground? The answer is now clear with Mineware Consulting’s Lockup Inventory System. This system offers real-time insights into the status of already-blasted ore that simply needs to be moved. It provides a detailed view of the lockups per operation, section, workplace, and lock-up category.
Every person visiting a workplace can capture the tons of locked-up material. The system generates a time-sensitive summary of the state of lockups, detailing both tonnage and mineral content. This data is enriched by spatial elements and dashboard functionality, enabling users to filter information based on parameters like volume, grade, position, and time.
Contributions feed into an automated reporting system, allowing for comprehensive tracking. Weekly trends are displayed by reporting category, such as Gully, Face, or Cross-Cut Center Gully, providing stakeholders with a dynamic overview of underground operations.
Key Features and Benefits
Ease of Use: Simple, intuitive user interface that allows on-site workers to quickly capture lockup data with minimal training.
Automation of Reports: Instead of compiling reports manually, users can now generate automated graphs and reports with filters for date and location. This feature allows stakeholders to identify trends, track progress, and make informed decisions.
Time Savings: By eliminating manual data entry, Mineware’s system drastically reduces the time required for reporting and analysis.
Spatial Pinpointing: The system can track exactly where the unutilized material is located within the mine, providing spatial visibility that was previously unavailable.
Comprehensive Status View: Track the status of lockups at a granular level, categorized by operation, section, workplace, and lock-up type, providing an in-depth understanding of current underground conditions.
Real-Time, Time-Sensitive Insights: Users can access a live snapshot of lockups, capturing the state of unprocessed ore at any point in time.
Data-Driven Filters: Filter the data by volume, grade, position, and time to generate precise reports and insights.
Integration with Other Modules: Since the lockup data is now digital, it can be integrated with other modules, such as Mineware’s Gold Loss Module, to provide a comprehensive view of mine performance and resource utilization.
Old Gold Detection: After a year, lockups become “old gold,” a designation that requires a different management process. The system can automatically track and report on old gold, enabling mines to prioritize recovery efforts. With the spatial elements it is also easy to locate and view it spatially.
The Big Picture: From Snapshot to Strategy
Mineware Consulting’s underground lockup functionality offers mines a “snapshot in time” of the status of their unutilized assets. This clear, real-time view of lockup material means mines can better track and manage their resources. The hard work has already been done -the rock is broken and ready to be processed – so tracking it more effectively prevents underutilization of valuable assets.
By automating this once-manual process, Mineware Consulting is driving greater accountability, efficiency, and profitability for mining operations. Mines can now make data-driven decisions on how to manage their underground lockups, ultimately reducing waste and improving productivity.
This is not just about better tracking, it’s about transforming how mines manage their most valuable resources. By automating lockup tracking, Mineware Consulting is ensuring that no rock – or ounce of value – is left behind.
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Author: Esther van der Vyver from Esthervdvyver Copy & Content on behalf of Mineware Consulting.
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