GMSI, a subsidiary of AST Mining, has been contracted by Impala Platinum to implement a Mineral Resource Management (MRM) solution which will enable Impala to perform flexible production planning and ore reserve management within the required cycles. Phase 1 of the project is the full implementation at Impala`s number 14 shaft and is valued at R2.5 million.
"Within Impala`s Mining Value Chain, it is important that the extent and value of the ore resource is known to acceptable accuracy limits at all times, and that the extraction of the resources is done in an optimal manner to ensure that profits are maximised," explains Anton Wheeler, Consulting Mining Engineer - Best Practices for Impala Platinum.
"The MRM solution will assist Impala in achieving this control, and will provide the enterprise with quick and reliable information regarding the status of the production and Ore Resource support activities," says Johan Strydom, Client Manager Platinum and Chrome, of GMSI. "MRM will provide reliable information, which implies that the data contributing to the information will be correct, consistent, comply with business standards and be available to the business in the appropriate format as and when required."
Impala has a well-established set of operating processes within its short-term planning and Ore Reserve Management business areas. The phased implementation of the MRM suite of products will provide Impala with timely quality and production information.
The modules of the MRM product suite can function as standalone systems. They are integrated through a common infrastructure, which provides a single point of entry, security, maintenance and basic data sharing.
GMSI will also provide full support and maintenance, and will train the Impala staff.
GMSI, with AST Mining, can provide a full range of value-adding technical systems and services to the mining industry. All aspects of the mining value chain are addressed, from the strategic to the operational shift level, including sampling and survey systems and valuation systems. GMSI further adds value through mining and business engineering, technical services outsourcing, systems integration services and technical mining systems, integrating the latter with enterprise resource planning and other services or systems.
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In just three years the AST Group has established itself as one of the leading information and communication technology companies on the JSE Securities Exchange. Its consistent creation of value for shareholders, clients and employees has resulted in a steady increase in monthly revenue to the R100 million-plus mark.
AST is now the fourth largest South African IT company by market capitalisation, and is one of the top three in terms of physical infrastructure (mainframes, servers, desktops, and networks under management) and geographical footprint with over 62 physical locations.
Counting almost 90% of the top 100 JSE-listed companies among its clients, the AST Group services mostly large corporate and government clients, but is increasingly offering its services to rapidly evolving small and medium enterprises.
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