Vulcan 9 provides the freedom for users to apply their own expertise to their unique and complex tasks.
Users of Vulcan 9 will enjoy the benefits of a new graphics driver engine. Targeting newer graphics cards, Vulcan 9 will provide accelerated speeds and responsiveness, enabling users to load and interact with larger datasets.
With Vulcan 9 large data files can be loaded straight into layers split by polygons, with the option of filtering the data on import. LAS data (LiDAR data that includes intensity and classification information) can also be imported into Vulcan and displayed. This means larger, more detailed surfaces can be used for designs as well as volume and reconciliation calculations.
Engineers working with stratigraphic deposits will save time when designing highwall ramps in open pit operations. A new tool allows the sequence of designs to be saved and easily replicated on different strips. A highwall template (triangulated surface of the highwall profile) is generated automatically.
Boolean improvements will allow pit solids to be split by the highwall templates, block lines and horizons, to enable individual solids to be created for reserving against a Vulcan HARP (Horizon Adaptive Rectangular Prism) model.
Vulcan 9 puts the user, not the software, in charge of the results.
Upgrades to ROM (run of mine) tools include the ability to calculate strip ratios from user-defined block model variables, and to limit strip ratio calculations to a lowest mineable level, based on elevation, depth, surface or horizon floor.
The Haulage Profile module in Vulcan 9 includes rimpull curves to calculate the cycle time. The haul segments will take into account the effect of rolling resistance as well as gradient on haulage route times.
A new algorithm provides a better estimation for distances based on actual bench geometry at the time of mine haulage. Nodes and segments between multiple routes will be easily created for assessing different scenarios.
Vulcan 9 users will be able to apply the LVA (Locally Varying Anisotropy) method to account for arbitrary search paths for grade estimation. LVA provides a flexible approach to create the models of anisotropies, and improves results when modelling complex stratiform orebodies.
LVA is faster and easier to validate compared to non-linear methods. Users will be able to create their own anisotropy definitions or use pre-defined methods.
An upgrade to the stope optimiser tool will address more complex scenarios for designing stopes which conform better to the desired mine layout. Users will be able to create or specify irregular frameworks, allowing more varied stope parameters to be accomplished in one run.
Automatic analysis of the optimal placement of the framework reduces the need to perform multiple iterations. Variable cutoffs based on position or stope size provide users with a more representative result.
Looking further ahead, Maptek will continue to work on tools and underlying software to deliver a modern, flexible solution for modelling and mine planning.