Maptek is now an official distributor of Earth Technology’s full suite of 3d-Dig products in Australia, North and South America.

Under the agreement, Maptek will promote the 3d-Dig excavation editor and equipment simulator in the regions, in combination with its existing range of mine planning and design solutions.

“Simulation tools like 3d-Dig have an affinity with Maptek solutions, which can optimize processes in order to increase production rates,” says Peter Johnson, Maptek CEO. “The detailed understanding of earthworks operations can, in turn, be used to better inform planning and design efforts, contributing to continual improvement and overall efficiency gains for mining operations in the long term.”

The 3d-Dig software allows full three-dimensional simulation of all aspects of mining machine operation including excavation, dump and machine performance. The 3d-Dig tools can be applied to dragline operations, as well as truck and shovel and dozer movements. The suite is widely used in Australia’s eastern coal markets and has applicability for iron ore strip mining operations.

At the heart of 3d-Dig is Earth Technology's terrain and landform modeling technology. It includes a dump algorithm, which accurately simulates the action of material dumped on a numerical terrain model.

“Maptek continually reviews product offerings to ensure we deliver software and services that provide a complete solution for all types of mining operations,” Johnson says. “Collaborating with Earth Technology to deliver and support their products to the global industry connects our customers with the latest simulation tools for determining the most effective, and therefore the most productive, operational environment.”

About Maptek

Founded more than 30 years ago, Maptek is a provider of innovative software, hardware and services for global mining. Maptek solutions are used at more than 1,700 sites in 75 countries, with applications across the mining cycle. Maptek develops industry-leading software including Vulcan, Eureka, Evolution and BlastLogic for mine evaluation, planning, design, scheduling, operation and rehabilitation.

About Earth Technology

Earth Technology specializes in software development, mathematical modeling, research and specialist consulting for the mining, mineral processing and explosives industries. Over the past five years, Earth Technology has worked in conjunction with several organizations to develop niche products. Earth Technology's excavation editor and dragline simulator, 3d-Dig, is widely used in the Australian, North American and South African open cut coal industries.