GEOVIA Whittle 2026: The Strategic Engine for Open Pit Mine Valuation
GEOVIA Whittle 2026 is the world’s leading software for strategic open pit mine planning and optimization. It is used by mining companies, consultants, and financial institutions to determine the most profitable ultimate pit limit and to design optimal phase (pushback) sequences. By applying the renowned Lerchs-Grossmann algorithm and other optimization techniques to a block model, Whittle answers the fundamental business question: “What is the most valuable way to excavate this ore body?”
Core Function: Maximizing Project Value Through Mathematical Optimization
The software’s primary function is to transform a geological block model (with assigned costs, revenues, and densities) into a strategic mining plan that maximizes the project’s Net Present Value (NPV). It does this by determining which blocks are economically viable to mine and in what sequence they should be extracted to account for the time value of money.
Key Optimization & Planning Workflows:
1. Ultimate Pit Limit Optimization
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Lerchs-Grossmann Algorithm: The industry-standard method for finding the single, most profitable pit contour given a set of economic parameters (commodity price, mining costs, processing costs, recovery).
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Parametric Analysis: Runs a series of optimizations at different economic conditions (e.g., varying metal prices) to generate a series of nested pits, which forms the basis for sensitivity analysis and phase design.
2. Strategic Phase (Pushback) Design & Scheduling
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Nested Pit Analysis: Uses the series of pits from parametric optimization to design a practical sequence of mining phases (pushbacks) that respect safe geotechnical slopes.
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Production Scheduling & NPV Scheduler: Advanced modules for generating long-term production schedules that maximize NPV by optimally timing the extraction of ore and waste, considering mining capacities and processing constraints.
3. Integrated Economic & Sensitivity Analysis
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Economic Parameter Modeling: Allows detailed input of all revenue and cost factors, including variable costs by rock type, processing routes, and downstream costs.
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Scenario & Risk Analysis: Enables planners to quickly evaluate the economic impact of changes in metal prices, costs, or recoveries, providing critical data for investment decisions and risk assessment.
