Maptek will supply Barrick with Vulcan for geological modelling, resource estimation, grade control and geotechnical applications. 

Barrick has selected the Maptek Vulcan™ mine planning and scheduling tools for implementation at the new Pascua-Lama project in South America. The open pit gold-silver project, straddling the border between Chile and Argentina, is the first bi-national mining project in the world.

Maptek will supply Barrick with Vulcan for geological modelling, resource estimation, grade control and geotechnical applications. Vulcan and its scheduling tool, Chronos, will aid in mine planning and scheduling. The implementation will be supported by staff in Maptek's Viña del Mar office. Training will go hand in hand with the software rollout.

'Vulcan will meet Barrick's key requirements by providing a common platform for all departments – survey, geology and engineering,’ said Eduardo Coloma, Sales Manager, South America. ‘It will ensure integration of data from the pre-mining stages through mine planning and scheduling to rehabilitation. Another key benefit of the technology is its flexibility.’ Maptek will also provide Barrick ongoing support and technical advice.

'In the current drive for improving productivity, mining companies are searching for better ways of controlling their data asset. Mines are choosing Maptek because our technology is reliable, delivering results they need to meet their objectives,' added Coloma.

Maptek will work closely with Barrick to implement the appropriate solution for the distinct requirements of the Pascua Lama operation. ‘Pascua-Lama is a project with many opportunities and challenges, where the work platform in the mining, geology and geotechnical areas is the key to meeting these. We trust that we have made the right choice and that Maptek will provide us with the best solutions for building a long term partnership,’ said Renato Suárez, Mine Technical Services Superintendent of the Pascua-Lama Project.