Through ‘intelligent integration', RPM's short-term scheduling solution can enable miners to connect planning with other operational departments at a mine.

One of the updates is to the Product Optimiser functionality, which determines the optimal way to process, blend and stockpile products from what is about to be mined.

The upgraded functionality now provides more enhancements when integrated as part of a mine's short-term schedule.

"RPM has experienced a significant uptick in the adoption of XECUTE in the past 18 months, with the solution now operational across iron ore, coal, oil sands, manganese, gold and copper mines," the Australia-based company said.

"One of the major reasons for this adoption is the unique Product Optimiser functionality, which continues to deliver a key planning advantage to users."

RPM said the XECUTE solution as a whole offered planners tools for dynamic adjustments and the ability to visualise the impact of those changes in terms of production, as well as the entire downstream value chain. By incorporating processing facilities, transportation and shipments into that schedule, mines have a boosted pit-to-port capability.

"RPM's coal customers will also have increased support with the introduction of coal wash plant features," RPM officials said.

"This functionality allows the planner to schedule the whole way through the plant rather than stopping at the run of mine (RoM). This becomes particularly valuable in a multi-product operation and is currently being implemented at one of the world's most sophisticated coal-blending and processing operations."

Aside from the product optimiser enhancements, other key areas of focus in the new release include XECUTE's user interface and CAD functionality.

"Unlike many other linear programming engines, XECUTE has a highly intuitive, user-friendly interface that allows planners to spend more time analysing results, instead of learning how to program the inputs. There are also significant enhancements to speed and usability within this XECUTE upgrade, including an 80% improvement in geology and reserving processing speed," RPM said.

In addition, mobile improvements will give users integrated data feeds from the pit in a mobile application, allowing quick comparisons of short-term plans to the actual production. Drill holes, bucket positions and machine positions may all be fed straight to a mobile user.