Namdeb's operations extend from the banks of the Orange River in the south, along the coast to beyond Luderitz in the North. Mining activities also include the inshore coastal strip as well as a large marine mining licence.

The data held at Namdeb is of such a diverse nature, and covers such a large area that it would not be possible to collate the information using traditional paper/overlay methods. In response to this situation, Intergraph's GeoMedia Geographical Information System (GIS) was acquired to allow for the visualisation of these extensive spatial datasets. The GIS is now able to assist in all aspects of mineral resource management.

One of the greatest challenges managing such a large volume of geospatial information is the integration of data from a variety of sources in an even greater variety of coordinate systems and projections. In addition the data exists in a variety of formats, including Microstation, Access, ArcView/ArcInfo, SQL, and many others. These problems have been overcome using GeoMedia Professional and it is now possible to view historic information in conjunction with more recently acquired data.

On a mine that extends over such great distances the speedy delivery of information is of great importance. The mineral resource offices are up to 250 km apart and accurate, updated information is required at all locations. Namdeb is the first mining company in southern Africa to use Intergraph's GeoMedia Webmap. This system of publishing allows complex GIS maps to be available throughout the mine through Internet explorer.

Example 1: Marine Production

The Namdeb Mineral Resource Department has integrated a DGPS vessel tracking system with GIS data. It is now possible to monitor the realtime positions of marine production vessels against a backdrop of geological interpretations, high-resolution geophysics or resource estimations. Using GeoMedia Webmap this information is then available to the people who need it, as they need it.

Example 2: Mine planning, production and depletion

A web-based version of the mine plan is available on the intranet to assist in mine planning, production and resource reconciliation. The mine plan is linked directly to the resource database where production and depletion entries are stored. This means that the resource inventory may be queried from any production centre, as the information is needed.

The GIS information, which is now available, serves to illustrate the value of the synthesis of data, and to prove that the value of integrated information is greater than the sum of the component parts. The introduction of an intranet-based distribution system for the information means that the value in the information can be released throughout the operation.

Intergraph Systems Southern Africa

(011) 313 1222

rjimmie@intergraph.co.za