The company stated that this delivers a leap forward in scheduling specifically for the coal industry.

Craig Halliday, executive vice president – software at RPM, commented: “This new Open Cut Coal Solution will handle more data and process schedules faster than any other application on the market. Everything about this solution is more comprehensive, streamlined and user friendly than any other product offered in the coal space previously.”

RPM has delivered a new solution which is intended for coal miners facing the challenges of today. This Open Cut Coal solution will incorporate sophisticated product optimisation, dynamic haulage functionality and the all-important advanced destination scheduler.

One of the biggest challenges faced by mine planners is the ever changing haulage routes in strip mines. OCCS uses its Dynamic Haulage functionality to manage this with ease and sophistication.

Halliday said: “The Coal Solution’s Dynamic Haulage component is something unique. Cleverly considering the varying haul routes at each stage of the schedule, you can be confident that you have the optimal route to get your product from source to destination.”

The ability to deliver both correct product specification and targets is another major challenge so RPM has developed a method of optimisation that is comprehensive and powerful.

Halliday explained: “Another key feature that is proving to be invaluable for coal miners is the Product Optimiser. Blending is critical in coal mining – being able to plan for this and optimise the schedule with your targets in mind is an integral part of the scheduling process. Using the Product Optimiser for multi pit management, multi stockpile management, and the delivery of multiple products, users can deliver results quickly during the course of running the schedule.”

RPM has stuck with some tried and true methods as well, such as the Advanced Destination Scheduler. Halliday said: “The Advanced Destination Scheduler has long been a key component of RPM’s Scheduling products, but now incorporated into the Coal Solution it is more powerful than ever. The scheduling of sources and destinations and incorporating haulage is all simultaneously at the time of building the schedule give a complete picture of the entire mining operation.”