PRESS RELEASE: The initiative aims to build capacity for supporting increased production targets at the gold mine. MineSuite will enable management, geologists, mining engineers, shift supervisors and operators to schedule, track, monitor and control operations.

The unique ability to provide for short-term activity planning, equipment scheduling and tracking of progress against plan - with the ability to also adjust activity schedules on the fly - was a key factor in the decision.

Another important aspect is MinLog's Distributed Store and Forward (DSF) technology. According to the solutions provider, this finds the quickest path between equipment and server via a combination of access points and on-board field computer equipment and safeguards the system against communications black spots.

"MineSuite will provide Sunrise Dam with a technology platform for the future," said Karel Gilliland, managing director of MinLog, which is 50% owned by Maptek. "It applies the principles of a well-connected mine, by means of modern architecture supporting the industrial internet of things."

MineSuite applications at Sunrise Dam will include activity planning and management, short interval control, task management and equipment allocation, material tracking and certification, proximity detection and traffic management, and ventilation control.

"In the current climate there is, more than ever, a need for our customers to be agile and responsive to changing market demand and business strategy," added Gilliland. "Our systems bridge the planning and operations divide and span multiple business processes in our customers' operational value chain."

MinLog and AngloGold Ashanti, with the support of mining contractor Barminco, will work closely together in support of the AngloGold Ashanti vision. The MineSuite system will be deployed in stages, with the delivery of the first outcome as early as July 2018.

"We look forward to collaborating with the management team at AngloGold Ashanti as well as the opportunity to showcase industry leading innovations during our partnership," Gilliland concluded.