Alford Mining Systems (AMS) is a specialist supplier of research capability, software and services to the mining industry, and was established in 1999.
Our mission
To provide a comprehensive suite of tools for strategy optimisation in underground mine planning.
Our products
AMS has made significant contributions to the development and application of optimisation techniques for mine design and has two commercialized products:
Future developments
AMS was Project Manager and lead researcher for two large international research projects coordinated by AMIRA International that concluded in 2015. The projects were funded by the world's leading mining companies and brought together an established research capability, consultants with deep industry experience of strategy optimisation, and software suppliers with a commitment to commercialise the research outcomes.
AMS plans to deliver the third version of the highly regarded stope optimisation product in 2016.
AMS will also continue in 2016 with breakthrough collaborative research projects with the support of leading mining companies and industry suppliers. If your company is interested in sponsoring this research, you have feedback on the products, or you would like to receive the Research Project proposal then use the Contact Us form.
Our people
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Chris Alford – Director
Chris trained as a mining engineer at the University of Melbourne, and has broad experience working in industry, research and development, and academia. Chris co-authored the first paper on the application of Whittle open pit optimisation software with Jeff Whittle in 1985, and carried out project work with the initial products THREE-D and FOUR-D. Prior to establishing AMS Chris had been employed with BHP, Newmont and the mining software supplier Datamine. Chris was Professor and Director of the WH Bryan Mining Research Centre at the Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland, in 2004-5. |
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Ian Glover – IT Infrastructure
Ian initially trained as a cartographer before switching to IT. For the last 15 years Ian has worked in the mining industry managing IT Infrastructure and more recently assisting with software development. |
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Sabine Boukamp – Senior Software Engineer
Sabine has an engineering background with emphasis on IT. Throughout her career, Sabine has worked on complex engineering software, ranging from automated bridge design, road traffic optimization to underground mining applications. |
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Geoff Hall – Software Engineer
Geoff is a software engineer with extensive experience in the development of mining software with Whittle and Gemcom, and has worked on various projects with AMS since retiring from full-time work. |
Our partners
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Technical partners, AMC Consultants have teamed with AMS on research projects providing key technical input and case studies. |
| Colorado School of Mines (CSM) The academic team at CSM, led by Prof Alexandra Newman, have had a strong focus on mine optimization, initially for open cut but more recently in underground, and also the transition from open cut to underground. AMS has sponsored Phd students at CSM. |
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AMS software is distributed through these leading software suppliers:
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