MSSO version 9.3 follows hot on the heels of version 9.2 and has been designed off the back of customer feedback, according to the company.

New to the latest version is a block model scheduling function which allows the user to import a range of blocks from a block model and then aggregate them into full-bench scheduling units or smaller scheduling units by defining the number of blocks in each direction.

The user is then able to obtain a more accurate cycle time from a block to each destination.

Version 9.3 also contains a standalone package option, which includes a MineSight project viewer for visualising the geometries and scheduling results, as well as selecting or digitising a ramp, lead line, road or point.

The update builds on the features of version 9.2, which allowed for the specification of availability of haulage roads at certain times.

If a road becomes unavailable in a period, the scheduler will automatically pick another road that leads to the optimal schedule. Version 9.2 allows the user to define variable wait, spot, and dump time by destinations to consider the different geometric condition of each destination.

Version 9.2 also includes end of period maps for pits and dumps, item weighted average, full report templates and more accurate in-pit haul path cycle time calculation.

According to Hexagon the updates to the software throughout 2015 resulted in about 30 new features, with 2016 promising to be another busy year.