Bentley Systems has announced the launch of Bentley’s new MineCycle software applications.
These innovative offerings facilitate Optioneering to help mining industry participants address some of their most pressing challenges, including the need for a continuous rather than intermittent mine planning cycle.

The MineCycle products are based on industry-proven, pacesetting Bentley software foundations, with MineCycle Designer extending Bentley’s OpenRoads capabilities, MineCycle Survey extending Bentley Map capabilities, and MineCycle Material Handling extending Bentley OpenPlant and OpenRoads capabilities.

They are the first Bentley products to be created through syndicated development, which gives industry participants direct input into the software’s definition and design. The MineCycle Designer and MineCycle Survey syndicate development sponsors were Anglo American Platinum Limited, AngloGold Ashanti Limited, Lonmin and Royal Bafokeng Platinum. The MineCycle Material Handling syndicate development sponsors were Hatch, GHD, and PDC.

MineCycle Designer and MineCycle Survey work together to greatly accelerate mine planning and mine survey iterations. The time consumed by traditional processes (often taking months) prevented consideration of alternatives and also could result in strategies that were out of sync with changing mine and market conditions.

MineCycle’s Optioneering lets mine owner-operators timely examine multiple operational alternatives, enabling higher-quality decision making leading to enhanced mine performance.

MineCycle Material Handling enables engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firms and consultants to accelerate the preliminary design of bulk material handling (BMH) facilities. Through Optioneering, MineCycle Material Handling helps EPCs optimize cost, footprint, and other key factors – by empowering them to quickly consider multiple scenarios.

Robert Mankowski, Bentley vice-president, simulation product management, says, “We are very excited about our new mining offerings and the powerful Optioneering benefits they bring to the mining industry. This ability to quickly assess operational planning and engineering alternatives was one of the ‘musts’ that our syndicate development sponsors identified. Our collaboration with strategic software partner Cyest Technology was also instrumental.”

He continues, “I would particularly like to thank the syndicate sponsors who participated in MineCycle’s development. This innovative approach provides industry leaders with a unique opportunity to mutually influence the definition and design of new products. Thus, the mining industry is now ensured of solutions to high-priority business challenges, and Bentley has been able to mitigate risk and accelerate time to market.”

Gary Lane, managing director, Cyest Technology, says, “The new mine planning solution developed by Bentley Systems and Cyest Technology will radically change the way in which mine planning is done in the industry.

“By applying new innovative approaches to planning and scheduling, mine management can now test different production planning options to understand the impact on the economics and, thereby, derive a more optimal plan that meets the strategic objective of the business.

“A more optimal mine design and production schedule leads to more effective execution, which will increase return on capital through increased productivity levels and reduced unit cost. Cyest Technology and Bentley Systems have a strategic vision of developing a solution set that will result in a quantum change in the mining industry.”