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HACK, D.R. Utilization of scripting languages for customization of mine planning packages by specialized users.

Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Minerals Industries, South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2003.

Utilization of scripting languages for customization of mine planning packages by specialized users
D.R. HACK
Halstead GeoNumerics, Inc., Portland, Oregon, USA

The complexity of commercial mining software has gained rapidly over the past decade as hardware developments have surpassed software capabilities at a staggering rate. Software users, recognizing the limitations of off-the-shelf applications, have adapted embedded scripting languages. Custom programming has always had a vital role in mine computing innovations, yielding a dynamic research environment in industry and academia. Fields such as industrial minerals can benefit from customization of existing software, since the majority of mine planning software was designed for large metal mines. Different customization approaches utilizing embedded scripting languages are presented, with examples of sand and gravel applications in development. Following implementation by Surpac and development of the Surpac Command Language, Tcl has been widely applied. Mintec introduced Python, also extensible and portable amongst various operating systems, for use in their MineSight products. In early 2000, Gemcom introduced the use of Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications, widely used customization tools for a decade. Datamine implemented a flexible multi-language approach, with all program commands and processes available through the COM Server Interface. This extends customization from the existing macro language to scripting in HTML, JavaScript, or any language that supports COM.

Introduction
Computer methods have been an integral component in the daily life of operating mines for more than a quarter century. Applications range from pre-packaged off-theshelf programs to massive IT management systems customized by the vendor. The next logical step is end-user customization. Users from sectors for which the software was not originally designed, such as industrial minerals, will benefit particularly from customization, by adapting existing programs to their narrow requirements while utilizing built-in power and sophistication. Consequentially, developers have recognized scripting applications as an inroad to unexplored market sectors. There is not yet a wide variety of industry specific solutions to describe, as computer usage for mine planning is fairly new for many sectors, such as sand and gravel. Solutions generally begin as small tools and proceed through several generations to become more sophisticated modules useful to others. The time to maturity of custom solutions from user to commercial marketplace and/or availability to other users can be considerable. Therefore, this paper will serve more as an overview of aspects relevant to impending development, and a few imminent applications will be discussed.

Brief history of scripting languages relevant to mining applications


Astounding increases in computer speed over the past few years have fostered a comparable increase in the power and sophistication of scripting languages. In addition, the

emergence of web-based applications has popularized embedded scripting languages since scripts can be embedded in HTML documents. Scripting, however, has been around for at least forty years. A scripting language is a programming language supported by a host program. A scripting program (or script) is useful for the automation of complex routines or advanced features within the host program. In addition, a scripting language can be used to integrate components and applications. Job Control Language (JCL) is reported to be the earliest scripting language1, used in the 1960s to sequence job steps to arrange the flow of data in card decks for OS/360. Unix shells, such as sh, csh, and ksh, became popular in the early 1970s, and remain so, for typing interactive commands and automating common tasks. The next milestone was the development of REXX in 1979 was the next milestone relevant to the advance of scripting applications in mining. REXX was used to simplify programming tasks on IBMs CMS timesharing systems2, and remains influential as a macro language for arbitrary application programs. This concept, critical in the emergence of embedded scripting languages in mining, means that macro languages and interpreters do not need to be designed for each application, as long as the application supports the REXX programming interface. AutoLISP and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) are early customization innovations that remain in wide use. AutoLISP, a scripting language embedded within AutoCAD and a direct descendant of XLISP, introduced many engineering software users to the concept of scripting. AutoCAD Release 1 was shipped in December 1982, and AutoLISP has been included with AutoCAD since version 2.18 (Release 6) in January 1986.

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VBA is a hosted, rather than a scripting, language but its implementation in mining software is as a scripting tool for customization. VBA, part of the Visual Basic family of development tools, became popular because of the need for automation (interacting with and accessing the host applications object model or the object models of other applications) amongst Windows-based applications3. The Object Basic project in 1990 was initiated to create an object-oriented version of BASIC4, and by 1997 VBA was embedded in all Microsoft flagship products. Microsoft began licensing VBA for use with other developers software in 1997, with over 250 current partners including numerous CAD and GIS platforms, survey data processing programs, and popular Windows application like CorelDraw5.

How scripting is applied to mining software


The emergence of customization in mining software was generally coincident with the popularity of scripting languages in Microsoft products a decade ago. However, back then, most customization was based on macro languages and internal macro procedures (such as Surpacs CMD macro language). As suggested above, the use of embedded scripting languages in mining applications is a logical progression, integrating use of off-the-shelf programs with more sophisticated programming/ customization historically performed by vendors, or broadening the capabilities of the limited macros developed by users in the past. This is coincident with the emergence of scripting in web-based applications, though the full integration of mining applications in a web environment has yet to be the primary innovation as developers transition from being software vendors to IT management companies. Scripting is applied to mine planning packages in two ways: customization of reports and other output, and the automation of tedious and frequently repeated menu-driven routines. Report customization is more common at present than automation, because automation requires access to program architecture. Report customization can be based on externally available data structures and is amenable to customization, as long as the interpreter is embedded. The embedded interpreter compiles scripts at run-time. Routines can run in the background or be available for user input. Using various freeware and commercial wrapping programs, scripting programs such as Tcl can create native executables. In this case, stand-alone modules can be created that operate on externally available data structures, such as with CSV format files used by MineMaxs iGANTT6.

Scripting languages used in mining software


Vendors have developed two different approaches for implementation of a scripting language: proprietary languages such as VBA and VBScript, and freeware languages such as Tcl and Python. This choice has a significant impact on user-base acceptance and usage, as well as the practicality and flexibility of implementation by users. Tcl The most significant advances in mining software customization have involved the Tool Command Language, or Tcl. Much of this success can be attributed to Tcls freeware/open-source availability, which has fostered a large global community active in the development of

extensions and adaptations for a wide range of applications. Mainstream commercial users eventually implement these developments. Tcl was developed in 1988 by UC Berkeley professor John Ousterhout, who wanted to build a cross-application robust interpreted language with a generic set of facilities supplied by the interpreter, such as variables, control structures, and procedures 7 . Tcl was designed to be extensible, that is easy for each host application to add its own features to the basic features of the language, which was critical to the emergence of scripting in mining applications. Ousterhout also developed Tcls affiliate Graphical User Interface (GUI) toolkit Tk. Because of its embeddability, it could be used to create new applications that were scriptable and extensible without creating a whole new language. This was also important in the emergence of scripting in mining applications. Jacl, a pure Java implementation of Tcl developed by Ousterhouts team7, was critical to Surpacs implementation of Tcl in 1998 with the release of Surpac Vision 4.0. Though the primary goal was to replace the CMD macro language, user-based customization became broadly popular. Coincident with Tcl implementation, the Tcl extension Surpac Command Language, or Scl, was created to provide an interface with the data objects used internally by Vision. Graphical User Interface Design Object, or GUIDO, is a Vision resident version of Tk that employs Java and Swing technologies 8 . Scl/Tcl commands are interpreted at run time, but the Scl extensions map directly to code that has been implemented using C++. Therefore, there are no performance penalties as computationally intensive sections of code are executed through compiled code rather than interpreted code8. Beyond Surpacs internal programmers, independent developers have developed Scl/Tcl/GUIDO based solutions for Vision. The Perth, Australia office of Surpacs South African agent Digital Mining Services started the Z-Files Initiative9 in 2000 as the official distributor of third-party solutions. Other independent developers, such as MineSched International of Vancouver BC10, develop Tclbased extensions and external modules for Surpac. The core of each Surpac Tcl implementation is a recorded macro (with *.tcl extension) of a given task. This script is then converted into a callable Tcl procedure, accessible via a GUIDO form that collects user input. Third-party innovations, such as Tcom11, have been implemented by Surpac developers to extend capabilities from automation and custom reporting within Vision, to portability with popular Microsoft products such as Excel and Access. Tcom is a Windows-based Tcl extension that provides commands to access and implement Component Object Model (COM) objects, enabling client-side and server-side scripting of COM objects through IDispatch and IDUnknown derived interfaces. The resultant Windows portability enabled data input/output connectivity with Excel, Access, and Project files. Mining software developers beyond Surpac are introducing Tcl scripting capabilities. MineMax of Perth, Australia produces the Tcl-capable MineMax Scheduler and the Gantt-chart development program iGANTT 6 . The comma separated value (CSV) format of iGANTTs basic data storage file lends itself to customization by third-party developers because the data structure is externally available. MineMax is developing methods to use Tcl for automation in iGANTT12, which would require access to program architecture.

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Python Similar to Tcl, Python is extensible and portable amongst various operating systems. Dutch researcher Guido van Rossum created Python in 1989 13 . Since then, it has emerged as a serious competitor to Perl and Tcl. Notable large-scale Python projects have involved the creation of an authoring environment for transportable hypermedia presentations, a complex multimedia teleconferencing tool, and a university student registration system14. Commercial uses have included search engine components by Infoseek and Four11, as well as to construct the installation procedure for Red Hats commercial Linux distribution. Development of an interface between Python and Microsofts COM and ActiveX architectures has been ongoing15. Python will be able to act as a COM controller, enabling portability of Microsoft applications similar to Tcom. Python has developed other features that are Tcl benefits such as a Pure Java implementation Jython, as well as OpenGL bindings. User-friendly GUI toolkits are available, such as TkInter, an object-oriented interface to the Tcl/Tk widget set. Python users report strong numerical handling as opposed to Perl. Mintec15 has recently implemented the use of Python in their MineSight Planner and Operations packages. Planner utilizes MineSight MS2 as a framework, however non-MS2 users can also use the program for underground and openpit planning. Operations is an ore control system, with modules to manage production blasthole data, build models, and generate reports16,17. These packages use Python for customizable reporting options and interfaces into the reserves/scheduling database, as well as for use in data conversion to another software system. MineSight products support a macro language, however, a scripting/macro interface is under development. An impending release of the scripting interface will provide non-client access to data structures through the Python applications programming interface (API), enabling easier data conversion and access. Some template scripts are available from the manufacturer for user modification18. VBA VBA ...is a glue language: a language that interfaces with the various objects that make up an application via the host applications object model...3. Rather than being presented as a scripting language, it is promoted a tool for customizing packaged applications for integration with other data and systems. The VBA Integrated Development Environment (IDE) includes support for Microsoft Forms for creating custom dialog boxes and Active X controls. VBAs integration into the Windows operating system and ability to act as a native COM controller suggested it should dominate the field of Microsoft portability, but this has since been circumvented by Tcl and Python extensions. However, in-process VBA performance is reported 200 times faster than standalone development tools19. Gemcom 20 is currently the only mining software developer to utilize VBA as a scripting tool, following an agreement with Microsoft in early 2000. VBA supplements the existing macro language in the various Gemcom Desktop Editions (GDE) and Enterprise Management System (GEMS). Data entries within dialog boxes are not recorded, nor are any graphical editing operations, as macros record only menu selections, accelerator keys, and short cut keys. Macros can be recorded or written in a text editor21.

Multi-language COM Server Interface approach A flexible approach to customization was introduced with Datamine Studio in 1999. All Studio commands and processes are available through the Datamine COM Server Interface, so any language that supports COM, such as JScript, VB, VBA, Visual Basic scripting edition (VB Script), or C++, can be used for customization22. Some developers have alluded to a multi-language approach, such as running Tcl and VBA scripts in tandem in Surpac Vision and AutoCAD respectively, but Studio was the first package to use the approach intrinsically. Datamine was among the first mining software companies to develop a full, independent commercial product using its customization ability and authorship model. Mine2-4D, written in Visual Basic, is a planning and scheduling program with Gantt chart and animation capabilities23. JavaScript and VBScript are examples of client-side scripting languages. A client-side script is a program that can accompany an HTML document or be embedded directly in it. The program executes on the client's machine when the document loads or when the link is activated. JavaScript, popular with casual web users, is used as a record and play medium in Datamine for simple customization tasks, but complex interfaces and procedures can supplement basic capabilities24. It is a freeware webbased scripting language based on the international ECMA Script standard. JScript is Microsofts version of the language with proprietary extensions. VB Script offers lightweight scripting capabilities for low memory environments such as web browsers, and is common in the creation of HTML web pages.

Scripting langiages for aggregate and cement industry applications


Both fundamental applications of scripting described above, that is customization of reports and other output, and the automation of common menu-driven routines, are valuable for industrial minerals users or other specialized markets. For instance, reporting requirements for a sand and gravel (aggregate) pit are far different than those for an underground gold mine, though the same software may be used. A gravel pit will be concerned primarily with reporting pertaining to volume extracted per lease area, whereas an underground gold mine will be concerned with reporting ore grade extracted per stope in consideration of processing requirements. Likewise, automation by an aggregate industry user would tend toward streamlining of methods for efficient volumetric calculations, rather than methods more appropriate in underground operations, like ring design. Tcl/Surpac Successful use of Tcom in popular Surpac extensions like MineSched has spread to specialized users since the technology is available and has been field tested by practitioners. Two applications, SGMatrix and SGRecPak for the aggregate industry are in development25. SGMatrix, which began as a collection of simple Fortran data processing routines, is a first step toward the utilization of granulometric analyses in computerized gravel pit design and planning. Particle size distribution, the analysis of which is known as granulometrics, is one of the properties of sand and gravel that identify it as suitable for use as concrete aggregate, along with such factors as grain strength, response to freeze-thaw conditions, and

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detrimental impurities. SGMatrix is currently a stand-alone program, however it is evolving into a Surpac-resident data management environment for aggregate operation exploration and production data. Using Tcom, the program accepts input as sieve analysis cumulative per cent passing results in Microsoft Excel format. It automates the calculation of the numerous granulometric indices and parameters in use, whether sedimentologic, engineering, or concrete industry in origin. The next step is the generation of a master correlation table. Displayed in this matrix are linear correlation coefficients (= -1.0 to 1.0) of every selected index correlated with every other index (see Figure 1). Calculating numerous types of correlations is a popular practice amongst engineering geologists and soils engineers. If sample locations are available, all of the selected variables will be correlated with Northing and Easting. This functions as a first-order appraisal of spatial data characteristics, assisting in the preliminary identification of spatial structures. SGRecPak is a Surpac-resident extension for the automation of a concise reclamation bond estimate based on site-specific factors developed during the mine and reclamation planning process, such as pre- and post-mining topographic maps, required reclamation topsoil thickness, locations and extent of temporary or permanent topsoil stockpiles, and haul road locations. The calculation of reclamation performance bonds involves detailed planning, calculations, and cost estimates, based on concepts presented in the reclamation plan. A variety of output options are available, such as estimation of total reclamation costs, estimation of costs for individual activities (such as re-vegetation, drainage/erosion control, or ripping), whether graphically or in report format. Tcl/iGANTT As described above, iGANTTs basic data storage structure lends itself to customization by third-party developers because the data structure is externally available. This could be particularly valuable to aggregate users, for example, because much emphasis is placed on integrated scheduling

of topsoil and overburden movement during mining and reclamation. Python/Minesight Custom reporting options are valuable to industrial minerals users, especially when programs are originally designed for metal mines, as was cited prior with respect to gravel pits versus underground gold mines. As Mintecs quarry, and other specialized, products develop a greater market share, Python integration will likely follow the pattern of Tcl integration, given the genetic similarities. COM Server Interface/Datamine The Cemento Andino operation in Peru has recently implemented the use of several Datamine products for use in data management, short and long-term planning, and exploration26,27. All of these aspects require customization via scripting. Four primary scripts, based on existing templates, were written in Java Script and are as follows: Data Update (Actualizacion)Enables the user to import and update blast hole information, as well as update the topography and the block model with new survey data. Long-Term Planning (Largo Plazo)Links with the RM Scheduler (RMS) software program, prepares the bock model so it can be used by RMS, launches RMS, and then combines the existing information with the updates as obtained via RMS. Short-Term Planning (Corto Plazo)Uses the block model generated with the Long-Term Planning script and generates a short-term calendar in consideration of quality and production targets. It also generates reports that can be checked using Microsoft Excel. See Figure 2 for a portion of the GUI. Exploration OfficeProvides a link with the Exploration Office software. The interface was developed to address the practical requirements of users, is written in Spanish, and is very intuitive. The scripts can be easily modified and improved at any time if needed.

26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

Sample #: CN046COMP Input data file: CN024 Sample #:CN024COMP CORRELATION MATRIX: Northing Easting Northing -0.745 Easting D10 D25 D30 D50 D60 D75 #10 #30 #50 #100 #200 UC GC Sorting Skewness Kurtosis Dust Ratio

D10 0.2206 -0.173

D25 0.4659 -0.312 0.1958

D30 0.3542 -0.435 0.1375 0.735

D50 0.627 -0.57 -0.042 0.4676 0.634

D60 0.67 -0.6 0.0325 0.4644 0.625 0.911

D75 0.752 -0.68 0.1169 0.459 0.594 0.873 0.894

#10 -0.62 0.559 -0.176 -0.57 -0.67 -0.82 -0.81 -0.81

#30 -0.67 0.597 -0.58 -0.487 -0.51 -0.6 -0.64 -0.68 0.769

#50 -0.029 0.0856 -0.72 0.0841 0.0171 0.1136 0.0713 0.0089 0.1412 0.506

#100 0.2192 -0.19 -0.6 0.1021 0.0553 0.2616 0.2345 0.1741 0.0104 0.2809 0.827

#200 0.1356 -0.044 -0.622 -0.244 -0.304 0.0963 0.0816 0.0979 0.1008 0.3816 0.705 0.676

UC 0.3808 -0.272 -0.54 -0.029 -0.021 0.4323 0.4222 0.4317 -0.226 0.0924 0.651 0.684 0.847

GC 0.3238 -0.404 -0.242 0.635 0.775 0.559 0.537 0.514 -0.51 -0.203 0.3949 0.3819 0.1176 0.329

Figure 1. Excel output from SGMatrix

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Figure 2. GUI from Datamine customization at Cemento Andino

Comparative discussion
In consideration of the spectrum of new or unexplored options available for specialized users (such as in the aggregate or cement industry) regarding scripting applications in mine planning packages, it is important to present and compare aspects relevant to their industries. This could assist new users in the final purchase selection, based on whichever mode of customization best suits their purposes. Comparative benefits Regarding the significance of a seamless interface with Windows applications, VBA would intrinsically be a firsttier selection. However, since open-source languages like Tcl are now capable of Windows integration, and developments in Python are imminent, VBA is no longer the sole option. VBAs potential dominance has been compromised by corporate control of language developments, as well as a tradition of tedious terminology and concepts. This dominance has been subsequently circumvented by Tcl and Python extensions. VBA does have unique benefits, such as supposed faster performance than standalone development tools. Another VBA benefit is that less end-user training may be necessary because applications look and feel like the Windows applications that the majority of computer users are already accustomed to. A notable strength of Gemcoms implementation of VBA is that system integration has been painstakingly constructed and extensively documented for developers28. All of the OLE Automation objects in Gemcom follow a consistent naming convention. This will assist Gemcom

developers in the navigation of the dense layers of terminology. In spite of these benefits, broad active VBA development for Gemcom has not yet risen to the level of other applications, but implementation is relatively new. Datamines COM Server Interface approach ...gives the programmer more flexibility in the choice of scripting language and development environment, in order to make best use of their skills and preferences...22. All Studio commands are available from an HTML page using any supported language, and other applications can be started from the same HTML page24. As with the Cemento Andino project, Datamine found that the advantages with the scripts as prepared for the client was that users were able complete tasks very quickly because of this automation, and the learning process was much faster than the software prior to customization. This impacts the subsequent efficiency and economic benefit of these data management and planning operations. As was implied above, Tcl has a bright future because of the huge global development community. Furthermore, Surpac was a pioneer not only in the introduction of an embedded scripting language in a complex mine modelling and planning package, but also in the adaptation of this packages architecture to accommodate internal manipulation of functions in their products. The adaptation of Tcl by other companies like MineMax, as well as genetically related languages like Python by Mintec, has suggested the long-term popularity of Tcl. A potential disadvantage of Tcl implementation over a more centrally controlled language like VBA is that even though the development community is global in scale and very active, it also has the tendency to be quite fragmented. For

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instance, if one has an interest in a particular function such as Excel portability, one can encounter literally dozens of extensions posted on various websites that are of widely varying quality. Unless, of course, one has a recommendation from another user, such as is the situation with the popularity of Tcom in the Surpac community. Considerations in selection Considerations in selection can be summarized as follows. The outcome of each decision clearly impacts that following in the list. Is a mine planning package already in use? For example, if a company already uses Gemcom Desktop Edition, then VBA is the only choice available. How soon must the system be available, and how much customization is needed? In many instances, solutions may already be available for a particular requirement. Conversely, extensive programming may be required for unique problems. The client should research what solutions, whether developed by the vendor or by independent programmers, are available and at what cost. Is it more economical for the vendor, or a qualified consultant, to develop and write the programs? Or should the client pay for company staff to attend training? Languages such as Tcl and Python have been traditionally easier for new users to adopt, where others such as VBA require more experience in concepts of object oriented programming. Stated otherwise, is the cost benefit derived only from operating efficiencies enhanced by customization, or further by the clients ability to take control of their industry specific computing requirements? How intensive are the scripting requirements? For example, are the requirements as limited as custom reporting (such as with Python use in Minesight), or as broad as access to internal functions and processes (such as with Surpac Vision)?

Future directions
Coincident with the emergence of web-based applications, mining software developers have taken seriously the importance of end-user customization via adoption of embedded scripting languages. The next necessary step is for developers to support an innovative user-base in a way that fosters robust experimentation, while keeping in mind corporate goals and policies. These two aspects can be difficult for corporations to balance in the anarchic tangle of the Internet. For example, as soon as program architecture, or open-source code, for a popular application is available for manipulation, the original developer no longer has control over the future of his creation. This is difficult for the corporation to appreciate when millions of dollars were spent on development. The innovative spark of the countless number of programmers online far surpasses the corporations ability to control their creation. This is a reality in the information age that cannot be ignored. From this freeware hacker ethic, however, originate the brashest innovations, and developers can use this mystique to their advantage to create a rich development environment. Innovations such as Tcom, now an integral part of commercial applications like MineSched, began as a way to circumvent Microsoft application portability only by licensed partners. Such enthusiasm is critical to remain robust and innovative. Any scripting language that remains

stifled by the controlling corporation is defeating its own purpose, which is to promote end-user experimentation. The most creative programmers, who have no patience for stumbling blocks and bureaucracy when cyberspace is full of free and easy options, will likely ignore such languages. With respect to product customization for specialized sectors such as industrial minerals, utility of customization is a critical consideration. Specifically, the scripting language and GUI toolkit must be easy for the user to learn (assuming some programming experience), and tools, extensions, and tutorials must be freely available. Time spent in trainings or on the phone with tech support is not time brainstorming and programming, and if there is too much hassle involved the programmer may not take the time. Because most custom solutions start small and progress through subsequent generations, the time to maturity to the commercial marketplace and/or availability to other users can be considerable. The fact that computer usage for mine planning in many sectors is still new is also a factor. Therefore, it will be some time before robust and valuable solutions for industrial minerals users are available in the greater marketplace though new applications are on the horizon. Vendors, however, are discovering that development of industry specific extensions is a good way to introduce their products into new market sectors. Though the focus of prior examples has been aggregate and cement, other industrial minerals sectors have their own unique requirements that require customization. For example, geostatistics and mine planning for kaolin mining has unique considerations as pertains to the utilization of the important Brightness parameter. Commodities such as garnet are characterized for sale in terms of their use for industrial purposes, with a subset of suitable quality for gems. Ornamental stones such as scoria are characterized by subjective colour parameters that cannot be measured in a laboratory, but whose occurrence in a quarry can be mapped by an experienced practitioner. Even with respect to aggregate, planning requirements for a railroad ballast quarry would be different than those for a concrete aggregate site. The futures of individual scripting languages can be suggested, but not predicted, by their present success. Tcl has had the earliest success, and industry specific developments are already under way. Pythons acceptance could be comparable to Tcls, but usage is fairly new in mining circles. VBAs control by Microsoft has the potential to be a hindrance, but it could prevail as applications become more complex and performance efficiency becomes important. Datamines COM Server Interface approach should become more popular, simply because it is the most flexible approach and is inclined toward web applications, which is the inevitable future of mine computing applications.

Acknowledgements
A number of people generously provided information and insight for this paper. Guy Sande (Couer dAlene Mines Corporation) gave insight into the practical implementation of VBA in Gemcom Desktop Editions. Tim Carew (Gemcom USA) and Jennifer Palma (Gemcom Software/ Vancouver BC) provided information on VBA. Abdullah Arik (Mintec) provided a wealth of information on MineSights implementation of Python. Rob Vallis (Hemlo Mines) described recent innovations of Tcl in Surpac. Jim Butler (MineMax) provided information on Tcl

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implementation in iGANTT. Dave van de Ven (Digital Mining Services Australia) yielded a wealth of information on Tcl, Scl, GUIDO, and customization approaches. Special thanks to Andy Lapworth (Datamine UK) for valuable insight on the values of the COM Server Interface approach, and Albis Duran (Datamine Peru) for detail on specific applications in the cement industry.

References
1. Tcl Developer Exchange. History of Scripting. 2001. Retrieved on 12th March 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.tcl.tk/advocacy/scriptHistory.html 2. IBM UK Laboratories. The Rexx Language. 2002. Retrieved on 12th March 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www 2.hursley.ibm.com/rexx/ 3. LOMAX, P. VB & VBA in a Nutshell: The Language, Sebastopol Calif., OReilly & Associates. 1998. 633 pages. 1998. 4. GETZ, K., and GILBERT, M. VBA Developers Handbook, San Francisco, Sybex. 1997. 922 pages. 5. Microsoft Developers Network. Microsoft VBA Licensing Partners. 1999. Retrieved 4th January 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://msdn. microsoft.com/vba/companies/company.asp. 6. MineMax. iGANTTA Robust Gantt-chart Based Tool for Production Scheduling. 2001. Retrieved on 12th December 2001 from the World Wide Web: http://www. minemax.com/prod_iGantt.html 7. Tcl Developer Xchange. History of Tcl. 2001. Retrieved on 17th March 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.tcl.tk/advocacy/tclHistory.html 8. Surpac Software International. Third Party Development Opportunities using the Surpac Command Language. 2000. Retrieved on 12th January 2001 from the World Wide Web: http://www.surpac.com/Business opportunity.htm 9. Digital Mining Services Australia. The Ore Is Out There. 2002. Retrieved on 12th February 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.z-files.com 10. MineSched International Ltd. MineSched Home Page. 2002. Retrieved on 14th April 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.minesched.com 11. HUANG, C.T. TcomAccess and implement Windows COM objects with Tcl. No date. Retrieved on 10th November 2001 from the World Wide Web: http://www.vex.net/~cthuang/tcom/ 12. BUTLER, J. Personal communication: Technical Director, MineMax Resource Optimization Software. 2002. 13. VAN ROSSUM, G. Foreword for Programming Python. No date. Retrieved on 10th April 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.python.org/doc/

essays/foreword.html 14. VAN ROSSUM, G. The Whole Python FAQ. No date. Retrieved on 10th November 2001 from the World Wide Web: http://www.python.org/cgi-bin/ faqw.py?req=all. 15. Mintec, Inc. Mintec, Inc. Web Site. 2002. Retrieved on 14th May 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.mintec.com 16. Mintec. MineSight Planner promotional brochure, Tucson, Mintec, Inc. 2002. 5 pp. 17. Mintec. MineSight Operations promotional brochure, Tucson, Mintec, Inc. 2002. 7 pp. 18. ARIK, A. Personal communication: Senior Mining Consultant, Mintec, Inc. 2002. 19. Microsoft Developers Network. Microsoft Visual Basic for ApplicationsISV Overview. 2001. 2001 Retrieved on 17th May 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://msdn.microsoft.com/vba/prodinfo/ backgrounder.asp 20. Gemcom Software International. Gemcom Software International, Inc. Integrated Resource Management Solutions. 2002. Retrieved on 10th February 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www. gemcom.bc.ca 21. Gemcom Software International. Gemcom for Windows User Manual; Volume I: Core. Vancouver, Gemcom. 1998. 1502 pp. 22. LAPWORTH, A. Personal communication: General Manager, Datamine Software Ltd. 2002. 23. Earthworks Corporation. Earthworks Home Page. 2001. Retrieved on 17th March 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.earthworks.com.au 24. Datamine. Web Based Scripting Language. No date. Retrieved on 14th March 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.datamine-studio.com/brochure/ scripting.htm 25. HACK, D.R. and VAN DE VEN, D.P. Customized Surpac Tcl extensions for the aggregate industry. In I. Gonzalez (Ed), CDROM Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium of Computer Science in Mining (INFOMINA 2002). Lima, Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas del Peru 26. DURAND, A. Solucion integrada para el control de calida en canteras de calizas para cemento. In I. Gonzalez (Ed), CDROM Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium of Computer Science in Mining (INFOMINA 2002). Lima, Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas del Peru. 27. DURAND, A. Personal communication: Manager of Technical Support, Datamine Peru. 2002. 28. Gemcom Software International. VBA Object Library Specifications. Vancouver, Gemcom. 2000. 96 pp.

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