Streamlining Open Pit Scheduling Through an Integrated Workflow

Managing Open Pit Planning Across Disconnected Tools 

As Mount Gibson Resources (MGX) transitioned from iron ore operations toward a future gold project, the planning team faced a familiar industry challenge. Open pit scheduling required multiple specialist tools for optimization, design, haulage, and scheduling. Each system operated independently, forcing planners to export and import files, manage different data formats, and manually validate results. 

This fragmented workflow increased complexity and slowed planning cycles. Changes made in one tool often required manual updates elsewhere, creating inefficiencies and increasing the risk of error. For an experienced planner responsible for life-of-mine planning and design, this approach limited the ability to quickly test scenarios and confidently understand cause and effect. 

MGX needed a more connected, intuitive way to manage open pit scheduling while maintaining the technical rigor required for complex mining decisions. 

Adopting Deswik NOVA for Open Pit Scheduling 

MGX adopted Deswik NOVA as part of the broader Deswik ecosystem, integrating scheduling directly with Deswik CAD and optimization workflows. NOVA was introduced during the early planning phase of the gold project, allowing the team to establish a new scheduling process from the outset. 

Rather than operating as a standalone scheduler, NOVA provided a structured, workflow-driven environment where design, scheduling, haulage, and constraints were connected. This removed the need for repeated file transfers and enabled changes to flow naturally through the planning process. 

• A workflow that reflects real mining practice: One of the most significant advantages of Deswik NOVA was its structured, sequential workflow. Each stage of the planning process followed a logical progression that mirrored how mining engineers think about open pit development. Instead of navigating scattered menus or hidden dependencies, the workflow made each step visible and understandable. Changes could be traced through the schedule, helping planners clearly see how inputs influenced outcomes. This transparency reduced the need to accept results without context and built greater confidence in the schedule. 
• Seamless integration across the Deswik platform: NOVA’s tight integration with Deswik CAD eliminated the need to export and import data between separate systems. Design, haulage, and scheduling remained linked throughout the process. This integration reduced manual handling, minimized the risk of broken data links, and ensured that the schedule always reflected the most current design and assumptions. For MGX, this meant fewer repetitive tasks and a cleaner, more reliable planning workflow. 
• Faster and simpler planning cycles: While direct comparisons were difficult due to differences in project scope, the overall planning process in NOVA was clearly faster and more streamlined than previous approaches. By removing multiple handoffs between tools, the team reduced the time required to move from design to schedule. Iterations became easier to run, and updates no longer required rebuilding workflows from scratch. The result was a simplified planning process that supported quicker scenario testing and reduced administrative overhead.
• Easy transition for experienced planners: Despite being a new platform, NOVA was intuitive to learn. Its structure felt familiar to experienced planners, making the transition from other scheduling tools straightforward. The workflow aligned closely with established planning logic, reducing training time and enabling productivity early in adoption. This was particularly important in a period of operational transition, where efficiency and clarity were critical. 

Clearer Insight, Greater Confidence, and Improved Efficiency 

Through the use of Deswik NOVA, MGX achieved: 

• A clear, structured scheduling workflow that is easy to follow and validate 
• Reduced reliance on manual file transfers between planning tools 
• Faster planning cycles through an integrated design and scheduling environment 
• Improved visibility into how changes affect downstream outcomes 
• Greater confidence in schedule logic and results 

While the project is still evolving, NOVA has already established a strong foundation for future planning work as MGX progresses toward active gold production. 

When asked to compare NOVA with alternative long-term scheduling tools, the preference was clear. Given the choice again, NOVA would be selected due to its integration, clarity, and workflow-driven approach. 

A Platform That Evolves with the Operation 

MGX views Deswik NOVA as a platform that will continue to grow alongside its operations. Planned enhancements around equipment constraints and activity modeling are expected to further support decision-making as the project advances into full production. 

 NOVA provides a practical and reliable solution that enables planners to work efficiently, understand their schedules, and adapt as operational needs change. NOVA’s initial release establishes a strong foundation, with future versions set to deliver enhanced functionality and continued innovation. 

Experience That Understands Your Operation. Technology That Moves It Forward. 

Deswik NOVA delivers practical, measurable value as part of an integrated software ecosystem built by mining engineers, for mining engineers. Shaped by real operational challenges and continuously refined through customer feedback, NOVA supports confident decision-making across the planning lifecycle. 

By enabling rapid investigation of scheduling scenarios, optimizing plans against value, and clearly communicating outcomes through seamless integration with Power BI, NOVA helps teams move from analysis to action with clarity. The result is a scheduling process that is more transparent, more responsive, and better aligned with operational objectives, reinforcing the value of technology that is deeply embedded, field-tested, and continuously evolving alongside the mines it supports.