Using the Quick Scheduler and Schedule Playback in Minex

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Quick Scheduler form with a Bord and Pillar mine in the backgroundIt’s Tip Tuesday! Today’s post comes from one of our Technical Consultants, Nicholas Zwezwe.

Until recently, GEOVIA Minex™ users looking to schedule activities were required to use the Interactive Scheduler. This detailed process allowed users to assign equipment to the panels and then move the equipment individually at the end of each panel. While interactive, enabling for closer monitoring, the process can be quite time-consuming.

Enter Quick Scheduler, a new feature in the latest release of Minex 6.3

An alternative and critical time saving tool for long term underground mine planning, Quick Scheduler is a more efficient tool for underground mine scheduling. Using the mathematical concept of Critical Path Analysis to calculate a schedule for either a single or multiple mines, Quick Scheduler eliminates the need to manually schedule and link the movement of each piece of equipment.

With the Quick Scheduler, users can focus their schedule on optimising activity by either mining method or by time. When the schedule is optimised by mining method, the selected method will take higher priority in the sequence of mining. Whereas, if the schedule is optimised by time, the priority will follow the best sequence to finish the schedule as quickly as possible.

Typical configuration for the “Schedule setup” formAn added bonus – the files required by the Underground Quick Scheduler are exactly the same as the Interactive Scheduler (minus the Mine Status):

  • Calendar with shift patterns and production factors
  • Activities indicating the methods to mine – development, pillar extraction, long wall or any other method
  • Presidencies indicating the mining logic or mining sequence to follow when mining

So, provided you have already setup and used the Interactive Scheduler, there is no additional work is required to use the Quick Scheduler.

Here’s how to get started with the Quick Scheduler:

  • Step 1: UG Schedule Menu
  • Step 2: Initialise
  • Step 3: Quick Scheduler Menu

Once a schedule has been saved, either Quick and Interactive, it can be played back in 3D via the Schedule Playblack. An effective tool to communicate the schedule, development and anticipated progress of the mine with stakeholders, Schedule Playback effectively demonstrates the expected progression of the mine through a continuous animation view of the long term plan, obtained through the schedulers. Optionally, when replaying a schedule, images of each schedule time interval (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly – any user defined pattern) can be saved.

“Schedule playback” in action with a Bord and Pillar mine being displayedHere are some tips when using the Schedule Playback:

  • Tip 1: Pit relevant to the schedule must be selected
  • Tip 2: Date can be in days, weeks, months or years
  • Tip 3: Speed can be controlled by a lever or by the date
  • Tip 4: Create your own custom date range for playback by using a Date Control File

Be sure to check back next Tuesday for more Product Tips & Tricks.

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When mining companies seek to increase mine productivity, they turn to Dassault Systèmes for technology and services. It is home to world-renowned and award-winning mining solutions and to industry thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in mining, through the GEOVIA brand. The largest global supplier of mining software, GEOVIA delivers comprehensive solutions in all major mining centers in more than 130 countries at over 4,000 sites.
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