Live Stream: K-MINE as All-In-One Software For Mining Industry

K-MINE has been in the mining software market for over 25 years, with headquarters in Ukraine and offices in Singapore and New York. The company works worldwide through regional partners, with over 5,000 licenses sold to exploration, iron ore, gold, and other mining companies.

Beyond software development, K-MINE provides implementation services, staff training, technical support, product customization, and development of tailored software solutions.

K-MINE's target audience includes businesses of any size – not only large corporations. The platform features proprietary algorithms that help clients reduce expenses through more precise resource estimation, ultimately improving production efficiency.

K-MINE currently offers 12 modules and several add-ons for both open pit and underground mining. Each module is customizable and can be used standalone or combined with add-ons based on client requirements.

The platform supports flexible subscriptions and full compatibility with popular data formats including DXF, CSV, and other industry-standard file types. All modules operate within a single interface – users access different toolsets without switching between separate applications.

Key platform advantages include a proprietary graphics engine, industrial database architecture for high-speed data processing, real-time multi-user collaboration, role-based access control, and full scalability. The system supports multiple coordinate systems and dynamic object display based on zoom level.

The first case study features one of the world's largest steel producers operating two open pit deposits in Ukraine. The company's full metallurgical cycle includes two open pits, two crushing plants, processing plants, an underground mine, and steel production facilities with annual capacity exceeding 6 million tons of steel.

Before K-MINE implementation, digitalization of technological processes was minimal. Engineering support for mining operations was performed mostly without specialized software – annual mine plans were drawn manually on large paper sheets with colored pencils. This caused inaccuracies in information, complex data searches, data exchange issues between departments, and problems with basic geological, surveying, and technical operations.

The company implemented surveying, geology, open pit design, drill and blast, and stability analysis modules.

K-MINE's geological modeling module allows users to work with databases without third-party solutions. Key capabilities include:

• Importing data from Excel or Access databases
• Creating and editing database structures with configurable links and references
• Drill hole management and zones of influence calculation
• Loss and dilution calculations
• Statistical and geostatistical analysis
• Data interpolation and variogram construction
• Wireframe modeling (simple, fill, and transparent wireframes)
• Block model creation divided by rock types
• Resource estimation using nearest neighbor, inverse distance weighting (IDW), and kriging methods (simple, ordinary, logarithmic modifications)
• Mineral reserve and resource reporting according to international classification standards (JORC, CRIRSCO, UNFC)
• Centralized secure data storage with multi-user data exchange

The open pit design module enables users to develop design solutions of varying complexity and generate design documentation. Capabilities include:

• Open pit and dump design
• Transport facility design (ramps, roads, railways)
• Communication elements (pipelines, power lines)
• Wireframe creation with volume calculations
• Prepared and finished mining volume calculations
• Excavation and backfill volume calculations
• Automatic profile and section construction
• Bench construction automation with slope angle adaptation
• Ramp design with transportation distance calculations between excavators and dumping points
• Construction from both crest and toe with automatic line smoothing and horizon boundary closure

After implementation, the company achieved significant reduction of loss and impurity coefficients through enhanced evaluation accuracy of ore body morphology. Project development and design time was reduced, and the company gained new opportunities through accurate evaluation of the deposit exploration level – identifying areas requiring further exploration.

The company reports that K-MINE reduced preparation time for drilling and blasting projects to 2-3 hours, optimized block drilling schemes, reduced explosive consumption, and enabled finalization of critical mining calculations within hours after field surveying. One technical department now performs design work for two open pits, handling a larger volume of work at higher quality and accuracy.

The second case study features one of the top gold mining companies in the world. For this large enterprise, the primary challenge was managing too many processes and workflows that needed automation.

The company implemented surveying, geology, drill and blast modules, and the dispatch control add-on.

K-MINE's surveying module automates the surveying data workflow by connecting directly with various devices including opto-electronic instruments, GNSS receivers, and laser scanners (stationary and airborne). Key features include:

• Online data processing in the field with internet-connected laptops
• Geometric solutions for direct and reverse mining problems
• Excavation and fill volume calculations using multiple methods
• Drone data integration and aerial photography processing
• Google Maps imagery upload capability
• Automatic documentation generation meeting industry standards
• Field measurement data processing and positional/geometrical tasks
• Profile and section creation with haul distance calculations
• Volume and area calculations using different methods
• Multi-user mode with surveying documentation management
• Digital model creation and updates for both open pit and underground operations

The drill and blast module provides tools to automate the full design cycle:

• Borehole placement design with row and hole spacing parameters
• Switching circuit design and calculation
• Blast hole charge calculations
• Blasting process simulation
• Safety zone calculations
• Automatic design within drilling block boundaries considering geological conditions
• Export to electronic blasting systems
• Integration with precision positioning systems for real-time rock strength determination during drilling
• Automatic charge adjustment based on actual drilling data
• Mineral contour and rock hardness boundary consideration
• Automatic documentation generation for all drilling and blasting operations

The dispatch control add-on monitors mining transport equipment and operational processes in real time. K-MINE integrates with various dispatching and fleet management systems. The add-on provides:

• Real-time enterprise work information
• Enhanced drilling, blast, and survey model capabilities
• Project-to-field connectivity for surveying support
• Equipment location visualization and parameter monitoring
• Optimal work schedule creation and calculation
• Historical analysis of equipment movement trajectories
• Equipment downtime minimization and fuel savings
• Improved ore mixture quality control

The company improved accuracy of volume calculations using 3D digital models, drastically reduced expenses for drilling and blasting operations, and accelerated processing of operational information. These improvements contributed to faster decision-making and overall production improvement.

The third case study features one of the world leaders in explored reserves of industrial minerals based in Kazakhstan, founded in 1965. The company operates large-scale open pit mining with production capacity exceeding 200,000 tons per year.

The company previously used various applications including well-known office packages, specialized mining and geological software such as Micromine, AutoCAD, and others. The key disadvantage was the lack of unified information in one environment for data exchange between departments involved in planning and preparation.

After analyzing more than a dozen systems on the market – evaluating functionality, cost, user experience, flexibility, licensing policies, data structure, network capabilities, and technical support – the company selected K-MINE as end-to-end mining software closest to their goals.

The company uses geological, surveying, drill and blast design, scheduling, open pit design, stability analysis modules, and the dispatch add-on. The system has been in extensive use for over seven years across all mining-related departments.

K-MINE's pit optimization module covers economic and long-term planning by calculating the optimal boundary of open pit development. The module considers:

• Technological restrictions (transport berms, production features, mechanical rock properties)
• Current and predicted economic indicators
• Economic and technological development indicators by multi-year periods
• Multiple optimal boundaries for different commodity price scenarios (nested pit shells)
• Strategic planning for long time intervals

The scheduling module plans operations in detail for mid-term and long-term periods with rescheduling capabilities:

• Mid-term annual planning broken down by months
• Transport scheme consideration for the open pit
• Mineral and waste rock quality/quantity indicators per period
• Long-term equipment downtime consideration for monthly programs
• Operational planning based on daily and shift tasks per equipment unit
• Rock mass transportation direction optimization (to crushers, warehouses, stockpiles)
• Automated volume calculations with existing equipment and transfer schemes
• Manual and automatic calculation modes
• Multiple block model support in calculations

The company achieved optimization at multiple levels: updated 3D economic models of reserves, reduced equipment downtime, and reduced decision-making time through automated production planning. Equipment utilization rates increased, profit was maximized, and multiple development options considering economic criteria became available.

The company particularly highlights K-MINE's ability to implement custom solutions not available on the market, including specialized rock mass classification tools and grain size distribution assessment using drone data. All module functionality was modified to suit their specific production requirements.

The fourth case study features a mining company in Ukraine that operates the only mine simultaneously using both open pit and underground methods, specializing in raw materials for the steel industry.

The full set of modules was implemented: geology, surveying, drill and blast, open pit design, safety assessment, stability analysis, and underground design.

The stability analysis module assesses the stability of pit sides, benches, and dumps based on geomechanical models. Key capabilities include:

• Geomechanical model creation and continuous updates
• Mechanical calculations at all design stages
• Multiple stability calculation methods (force polygon method with foundation uplift, force polygon method in anisotropic medium)
• Safety factor determination
• Recommended slope angle calculations
• Collapse boundary construction

The company achieved more accurate reserve evaluation, determined acceptable pit wall positions to reduce overburden volume and mining expenses, and used multi-scenario design to find the most profitable development approach.

The fifth case study features one of the oldest and largest ore producers in the world, requiring improved operational efficiency in underground mining and ventilation design.

The underground design module simulates different mining stages including preparation work, blasting, and stoping. Features include:

• 3D drill hole visualization and automatic placement according to design parameters
• Expansion slot design considering geological body shape and chamber dimensions
• Multiple drill hole charging designs for different blocks
• Automated fan pattern and bundle design
• Drill hole numbering and charge calculation
• Underground working correction and design (vertical and inclined)
• Profile and cross-section construction
• Rock mass volume calculations
• Automatic documentation generation
• Restriction application from previous jobs with automatic drilling chamber limit determination

K-MINE's ventilation module works with both 3D mine working models and axonometric representations. Capabilities include:

• Ventilation scheme and network design
• Air pollution calculation in mine workings
• Thermal pressure and fire modeling
• Automatic recalculation of ventilation parameters when designing new workings
• Emergency situation simulation (fire, airflow reversion)
• Worker escape route optimization during emergencies
• Mine rescue team routing
• Aerodynamic characteristic calculations based on passport data

The underground dispatch system provides:

• Real-time personnel and equipment location tracking
• Direct communication with any person underground from the control room or mobile phone
• Activity reports for individual employees and equipment
• Hazardous area detection alerts
• Group emergency notifications
• 2D and 3D visualization support

The mine minimized losses and accidental inclusions in minerals, reduced major mining operation time and volume through advanced ventilation simulation analysis at the design stage, optimized fan selection, and reduced energy costs.

K-MINE offers several additional modules and add-ons:

• Fragment Size Analysis Module – Determines average piece size and oversized percentage from face photographs, enabling drilling and blasting quality improvements
• Infrastructure Module – Creates and manages digital models of the entire enterprise, updated by surveying services, used by power engineers, mechanics, and design departments
• Safety Assessment Module – Automatically checks mining operations for compliance with established standards, improving overall mining safety

Can dig and dump sequencing be done simultaneously? Yes, K-MINE supports simultaneous determination of dumping and unloading locations considering blending and production indicators.

What economic methods does K-MINE support for open pit and underground? Main economic indicators include net present value (NPV), expenditure items, and income, along with specific parameters for particular production conditions.

Can blast designs be adjusted after drilling and before blasting? Yes, it is possible to correct blast designs after drilling to adjust projected operational values for the concentration plan and adjust explosive loads.

How does K-MINE handle multiple deposits? Planning models can use several block models in calculations and configure multiple variants of deposit mining scenarios.

How is K-MINE licensed? K-MINE is a standalone application where each module provides a set of features within one single interface sharing a single database. One license can include different module combinations – each module works standalone or in conjunction with others depending on requirements.