The new TALPAC-3D is based on RPMGlobal's truck and loader productivity and cost calculator, which has been in use by the mining industry for more than four decades. It was originally developed as a tool to support truck and loader haul route calculations.

After a consultation with the global user base of TALPAC, RPMGlobal said the new simulation solution was launched to offer a better user experience and new features such as a fleet planner and a cycle-time analysis tool.

The new graphical user interface, it said, would make it easier "to import data, view results and make changes to models", as well as enhance "the ability for users to optimise haulage routes and equipment selection".

The solution has also been brought in line with the rest of RPMGlobal's ‘Intelligent Simulation' suite, including the HAULSIM haulage simulation and the Discrete Event Simulation (DES) solutions. In fact, TALPAC-3D offers a seamless upgrade path with integration to HAULSIM.

RPMGlobal CEO Richard Mathews said: "The industry's adoption of TALPAC had continued to grow, and it was used by miners all over the globe to help them calculate the ideal size of their fleet and understand which machines and sizes of equipment are most compatible."