Title: The mine value chain integration beyond the ERP systems

Authors: Beck Nader; Paulo F.T. Sachs; Giorgio De Tomi

Addresses: Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Rua Desembargador Leão Starling 200, 31310-370 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. ' Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Rua Prof. Lucio M Rodrigues 295, 05621-025 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. ' Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Mello Moraes 2373, 05508-900, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil

Abstract: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have now been widely implemented in several industries. The authors discuss their merits and pitfalls, explaining the reasons ERP systems fall short in the integration of the mine value chain and proposing a methodology to overcome their deficiencies. One key differentiation aspect of the mineral industry, is the uncertainty about ore quality until it is actually mined, which sets this whole industry apart from the rest of the manufacturing sector in terms of resource planning needs and control. This paper identifies the difficulties that standard ERP systems have in integrating the mine value chain through an exploratory study that includes a case study methodology denoting how ERP systems manage the functional areas of the mining industry, and how they fit into the mineral value chain Information Technology (IT) requirements. It also proposes a new concept that will allow to properly integrating the mine value chain beyond the ERP systems functionality, through the proper application of IT.

Keywords: ERP; enterprise resource planning; mine value chains; information technology; mineral industry; ore quality; mining.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2011.043851

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2011 Vol.3 No.3, pp.233 - 250

Published online: 24 Nov 2011 *

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