Maptek

Maptek provides comprehensive 3D modelling, spatial analysis and design technology to the global mining industry with a range of solutions; Vulcan, I-Site, MineSuite, Eureka, BlastLogic, PerfectDig, Sentry and Evolution.

Founded in 1981 as K. Robert Johnson and Associates, the company operated as KRJA systems for 10 years before changing its name to Maptek in 1992.

Dr Bob Johnson graduated in 1969 from the University of NSW as a geologist, and completed his doctorate in 1972. Since 1976 he has pursued a commercial career using computers for mining. Dr Johnson is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and a Member of the American Society of Mining Engineers.

Products

Vulcan: The first generation was released in 1984 under a Fortran platform. Vulcan is a general mine planning software package that provides 3D modular software visualisation for geological modelling and mine planning. It is used by mining engineers, geologists and mine surveyors. Applications include 3D geological mapping and modelling, mine design, mine planning, geotechnical analysis, mine scheduling and optimisation, mine rehabilitation. Every ten years it has been completely re-written to ensure that new techniques and algorithms are exploited in the software to ensure a modern vibrant mine planning system is maintained. The current version was created in about 2005 is written in C and C++. Already the architectural framework and new interfaces are being developed for the next major generation.^[1]

Vulcan releases:

• 1994 – Vulcan 3.0
• 1996 – Vulcan 3.2
• 1997 – Vulcan for Windows
• 1998 – Vulcan 3.3
• 2002 – Vulcan 4
• 2003 – Vulcan 4.5
• 2004 – Vulcan 5
• 2005 – Vulcan 6
• 2007 – Vulcan 7
• 2008 – Vulcan 7.5
• 2009 – Vulcan 8^[2]
• 2014 - Vulcan 9^[3]
• 2016 - Vulcan 10 with Workbench Platform^[4]

I-Site: Laser scanning technology includes hardware and software (I-Site Studio). It is used primarily for surveying large geographical areas and geotechnical analysis over highwalls. Laser scanning has become an accepted and common technique for obtaining precise measurements and 3D visualisation of large scenes.

I-Site scanners weigh 12–14 kg (including battery) and incorporate an optional inbuilt telescope and camera, as well as a handheld tablet for operating the scanner.

In February 2009 Leica Geosystems’ Spatial Solutions Division, selected Maptek to supply laser scanners and software to be sold under the Leica Geosystems brand.^[5]

I-Site laser scanners:

• 2004 - I-Site 4400 laser scanner
• 2006 - I-Site 4400LR laser scanner (long range)^[6]
• 2007 - I-Site 4400CR laser scanner (close range)
• 2010 - I-Site 8800 laser scanner^[7]
• 2011 - I-Site 8400 laser scanner
• 2012 - I-Site 8810 laser scanner
• 2013 - I-Site 8200 laser scanner^[8]
• 2014 - I-Site 8820 laser scanner^[9]
• 2015 - I-Site Drive ^[10]

MineSuite: Released in 2001, MineSuite is a fleet management, production and reporting package developed for the global mining industry. Its hardware and software systems provide electronic monitoring, control and information technology services for mining and heavy industry. MineSuite collects and reports data from the real-time monitoring of production systems and equipment in open pit and underground mines, processing and production plants. The MineSuite system is now sold by MINLOG (a specialist company 50% owned by Maptek).^[11]

BlastLogic: Released in 2011,^[12] provides a centralised record of all operational blast data (local or via cloud). Access to data is immediate and universal across users, simplifying and accelerating routine tasks.^[13]

Eureka: Released in 2012,^[14] provides one integrated platform for viewing and analysing exploration project data. The software allows users to take spatially located data and put it into context to better understand the inter-connecting relationships between the disparate information. Viewing the data at different scales allows you to see the big picture as well as analyse local areas of interest. Eureka displays aerial photography, terrain maps, historical plans and GIS data. ^[15]

PerfectDig: Released in 2013,^[16] presents enhanced photographs of the mine environment coloured with 3D design conformance information. Results can be viewed using any web browser, without the need for specialised software. In 2015, PerfectDig won the South Australian Industrial & Resources, Australian Information Industry Association iAward.^[17]

Sentry: Released in 2014, is a flexible surface change detection system. The system combines I-Site laser scan data with sophisticated software to track and analyse movement over time.^[18]

Evolution: Released in 2015,^[19] is an enterprise level scheduling solution optimises net present value using grade cut-off techniques, a proven method for maximising project value.^[20] Previously known as Evorelution offered by Oerlogy Group.^[21]

Locations

Maptek has 5 offices in Australia – Adelaide, Brisbane, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney – and international distributors in Belo Horizonte (Brazil), Distrito Federal (Mexico), Denver (USA), Calgary (Canada), Edinburgh (UK), Johannesburg (RSA), Lima (Peru) and Viña del Mar (Chile).^[22]

References

1. ↑ http://www.maptek.com/blogs/lifting-the-lid-on-vulcan/
2. ↑ http://www.gim-international.com/news/id4150-Maptek_Vulcan.html
3. ↑ http://www.spatialsource.com.au/2014/02/07/maptek-vulcan-9-released-to-global-customer-base/
4. ↑ "Maptek Launches Vulcan 10, Workbench Platform". Retrieved 2016-11-21. 
5. ↑ http://www.leica-geosystems.com/en/News-Archive_57049.htm?id=1933
6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G_VA6yVvHw&feature=player_embedded
7. ↑ http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/maptek-laser-scanner-ready-to-go-global/story-e6fredj3-1225826388226
8. ↑ http://www.mining.com/web/maptek-releases-i-site-8200-laser-scanner-for-underground-survey/
9. ↑ http://www.maptek.com/products/i-site/i-site_8820.html
10. ↑ http://www.minesurveyors.com.au/news/36-maptek-releases-i-site-drive-for-fast-frequent-stockpile-volume-reporting.html
11. ↑ http://www.minesurveyors.com.au/news-and-events/latest-news/260-minesuite-production-information-technology-moves-to-minlog.html
12. ↑ "BlastLogic enters the market". Maptek. Retrieved 2015-11-26. 
13. ↑ "Maptek - Blast design, modelling & analysis to lower risk & increase productivity". www.maptek.com. Retrieved 2015-11-26. 
14. ↑ Grech, Pauline. "Maptek Eureka released - Spatial Source". Retrieved 2015-11-26. 
15. ↑ "Maptek - Visualisation software for exploration project data". www.maptek.com. Retrieved 2015-11-26. 
16. ↑ "Manufacturing Works". cld.bz. Retrieved 2015-11-26. 
17. ↑ "Maptek PerfectDig claims iAward". Maptek. Retrieved 2015-11-26. 
18. ↑ http://www.agg-net.com/news/track-and-report-surface-movement-with-maptek-sentry
19. ↑ "Maptek re-launches Orelogy's open pit scheduler - Orelogy - Innovative Mine Planning Solutions". Orelogy - Innovative Mine Planning Solutions. Retrieved 2015-11-26. 
20. ↑ "Maptek - Evolution Strategic Mine Planning". www.maptek.com. Retrieved 2015-11-26. 
21. ↑ "Maptek adds Evorelution open pit scheduling solutions to product suite". Maptek. Retrieved 2015-11-26. 
22. ↑ http://www.maptek.com/contact/offices.html