Adelaide-headquartered Maptek announced today it had merged with Sydney-based Advanced Systems Integration, which has developed a range of computerised mine management products including MineSuite, a real-time production reporting system developed using the latest Java technologies and said to be configurable for various mining and mineral processing applications.
According to Maptek, ASI's GPS-based truck dispatch system also delivers cost effective plant monitoring and control. Close collaboration with mining companies during development of the product had contributed to its successful introduction into the market.
Maptek's alliance with ASI follows Perth-based Micromine's acquisition of PitRAM production reporting system developer Ramsys, and Canadian company Gemcom's decision to join forces with Wenco, which has developed GPS-based automated monitoring and mine production management technology. Other key players in the mine production management systems market are Caterpillar, Komatsu-controlled Modular Mining Systems, and Australian company Remote Control Technologies.
Like Micromine and Gemcom, Maptek's main business is mining and exploration software. It is best known for its Vulcan and I-SiTE products.
"We can now provide our customers with a fully integrated service following the natural flow from orebody modelling, to mine design and scheduling, through to production monitoring and materials handling," said Maptek chief executive officer, Dr Bob Johnson.
"We see an ever increasing role for automation in mining. The combination of smart information systems for managing orebody assets and new technology will raise the level of efficiency in mining.
"Our mission is to lower costs for our customers and ensure they gain maximum benefit from our products and services.
"No other company offers such complete integration of the technical mine management problem."
Johnson said the expanded Maptek would pursue "technology outsourcing contracts" from large mining houses demanding a packaged framework for handling their critical projects.
The group has distribution outlets in mining centres around the world, in North America, South America, Europe and Africa, and Australian offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney.
