Modern Mining April 2015

MINING News

WorleyParsons applies virtual reality to mine design

projects,” Friedland commented. “In particular, Ivanhoe and Zijin are in detailed, friendly discussions about the strategic co-development of our Kamoa copper discovery in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kamoa’s significance was further affirmed earlier this month (March) when Ivanhoe’s Kamoa Discovery Team received the prestigious 2015 Thayer Lindsley Award from the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada, recog- nising Kamoa’s distinction as the year’s top global mineral discovery.” Established in 1986, Zijin has exten- sive interests across a broad range of commodities. It is one of the largest gold producers in China, the country’s second largest primary copper producer andamajor zinc producer.  While this is still in its early stages, WorleyParsons is harnessing virtual reality technology on a number of current proj- ects such as reviewing the models for the greenfield Golpu project in Papua New Guinea, for JV clients Newcrest Mining Limited of Australia and Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited of South Africa. Doran and his team began researching the application of virtual reality technology to mine design towards the end of 2014 and demonstrated its capabilities to visitors to the WorleyParsons stand at the recently held Mining Indaba in Cape Town.  methods and allows us to fine-tune mine design with the customer before any drawings are generated,” he says. “Using virtual reality goggles, an entire multi- disciplinary team from the customer’s company is now able to take a ‘virtual walk’ through the actual site, reviewing mine and plant layout, function of moving objects, roads and associated infrastruc- ture, as well as the risk and safety aspects of the entire layout. “Any design changes requested by the customer can be instantly applied and since customer personnel are involved from the start, by the end of the process they have exactly what they want,” con- tinues Glover. “The product we’re offering has the potential to help reduce miscom- munication between the customer and the draughtsman during reviews and has so far consistently exceeded customers’ expectations.”

WorleyParsons is harnessing virtual reality technology on a number of current projects.

WorleyParsons RSA reports it is achieving ground-breaking results by harnessing virtual reality technology from the gam- ing industry and applying it to mine design in the conceptual stage, with the potential to realise significant cost sav- ings for its customers. The technology builds on WorleyParsons’ heritage exper- tise and capabilities in mining through its Johannesburg-based Mining Centre of Excellence. “From the conventional drawing board and later CAD that served this purpose for many years, mine design technology has suddenly taken a quantum leap for- ward, firstly to a 3D design environment and now to virtual reality driven in part by the strong R&D support it is receiv-

Approximately 9,9 % of Ivanhoe Mines’ issued and outstanding common shares will become owned by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zijin when the placement is completed. Friedland said Zijin’s decision represents the first major commitment by an interna- tional mining company to provide support for all of Ivanhoe’s development-stage proj- ects in South Africa and the DRC. “We are delighted to welcome Zijin Mining both as an old friend of Ivanhoe Mines and a strategic investor that shares our long-term vision. We also have agreed to continue to explore addi- tional opportunities to collaborate on the advancement of all three of our world-class ing from the nation’s major institutions and the industry,” says Stuart Doran, the WorleyParsons structural engineer who has helped drive the introduction of this technology to WorleyParsons. “This tech- nology complements our conventional methods and makes it possible to gener- ate detailed, labelled drawings from the dynamic model that the customer has fully reviewed and approved. This has the potential to reduce drawing time and min- imise revisions.” Digby Glover, CEO of WorleyParsons RSA, adds that WorleyParsons has made this investment to offer its customers a superior product at a relatively afford- able price. “Virtual reality technology seamlessly complements our standard

Chinese mining group takes stake in Ivanhoe Mines Robert Friedland, Executive Chairman of TSX-listed Ivanhoe Mines, and Chen Jinghe, Chairman of Zijin Mining Group Co, Ltd, have jointly announced that Zijin has agreed to make a major investment in acquiring a significant minority stake in Ivanhoe Mines.

Under the terms of the agreement signed in Hong Kong, Ivanhoe Mines will issue 76,82 million common shares to Zijin through a private placement, yielding gross proceeds of approximately C$105 million (US$82 million). Ivanhoe Mines will use the proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes, including the advancement of the company’s projects in Southern Africa.

8  MODERN MINING  April 2015