Why Mines Struggle with Planning and Short Interval Control

Commit Works — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 05:34:17 +0000

Why Most Planning and SIC Projects Fail

The gap isn’t always capability. It’s often commitment.

Mining operations don’t fail because they can’t plan. They struggle because they can’t or don’t consistently turn plans into fulfilled commitments at the execution frontline.

Operations invest heavily in integrated planning and short interval control mining systems, expecting them to drive efficiency, predictability, and production performance. Often, these initiatives hit a dead end. MOS Systems are developed, but tools are underused, and frontline teams revert to the status quo.

The Commitment Manifesto and Short Interval Control

Our Commitment Manifesto describes how high-performing organisations operate—through trust, clarity, and aligned commitments. The reality on many mine sites is the opposite.

The result is a persistent breakdown between planning and execution. Mines don’t struggle with planning or short interval control because they lack effort or intelligence. They struggle because the conditions required for commitment are not consistently present.

When Short Interval Control is applied through a lens of commitment that makes work visible, accountable, and adjustable, the plan stops being a static document. It becomes a living system that delivers results.

The Gap Between Plans and Commitments

The planning-execution gap in mining is well-known. It often stems from misaligned expectations from the boardroom to the coal face.

On many sites, plans are created far from the frontline. This leaves crews to interpret targets without clarity, authority or context. This disconnect quickly turns intent into a dead end.

Lift Performance with Shared Commitment

When plans are not co-created, and expectations are not clearly negotiated, adaptation is inconsistent. Learning loops become weak, and execution drifts.

Commitment always precedes performance.

Performance doesn’t improve until everyone is genuinely committed to the change. This is when stronger, clearer and more consistent execution emerges across the operation.

The post Why Mines Struggle with Planning and Short Interval Control appeared first on Commit Works.

Founded by Alex Retzlaff and Paul Moynagh, Commit Works delivers software that plans and coordinates work in underground mining and construction. Clients like Rio Tinto, Anglo American, and Glencore have increased productivity by over 30% while reducing lost-time injuries.

CiteOps (formerly Fewzion), is now live at major BHP and South32 underground mines. CiteOps lets planners create integrated shift plans and share them electronically with crews. Everyone sees the plan, tracks progress in real time, and stays accountable.

Commit Works helps mines align people, equipment, and processes. The result is smoother shifts, higher production, and safer workplaces.

Jolimont invests in Commit Works

Commit Works has secured investment from private equity investor Jolimont Global Mining Systems

PRESS RELEASE: The investment will accelerate the company’s international growth.

Founded by Alex Retzlaff and Paul Moynagh, Commit Works enables planned and coordinated work in challenging work environments such as underground mining and construction. Since adopting the Commit Works software, Rio Tinto, Anglo American and Glencore have increased productivity by over 30%. Lost-time injuries are lower than industry average.

Commit Works is currently installing Fewzion (now called CiteOps), the flagship solution, at major BHP and South32 underground mines. This brings the latest technology to these operations.

CiteOps enables planners to quickly build integrated shift plans. These plans are provided electronically to mining and support crews, coordinating the complex work being performed throughout each shift. Crews and management have visibility of planned work. They are accountable for achieving the plan through real-time progress measurement. CiteOps is a solution that’s improving the daily work in mining operations, delivering results at the coal-face.

Customers have embraced the technology, which is delivering improved efficiency, job satisfaction and safety. Andy Greig, the former managing director of Bechtel’s Australian operations, was an early investor in the company and estimates that 90% of injuries occur when people work off-plan.

Significant financial backing will accelerate growth

Paul Moynagh, CEO of Commit Works, said that the Jolimont investment would accelerate the company’s growth in Australia, the Americas, Europe and Africa. He added: “We are thrilled to receive this significant backing from Jolimont. Our products reliably deliver rapid and significant improvements to operations. We look forward to sharing our software and these kinds of results globally.”

Lyle Bruce, partner at Jolimont, commented that Jolimont invests in high growth mining technology companies. He explained: “A focus for us is innovative technology and a customer-oriented team. Australia leads the world in mining innovation. Commit Works is another example of an emerging Australian company bringing world’s best technology to global mining operations. Jolimont is proud to support the Commit Works team.”

Michael Sterry, investment manager at Jolimont, stated that precise shift planning was a gap in the market that Commit Works addresses. He noted: “The people that make a difference to productivity and safety are closest to operations and production. They want to know how they are performing shift-by-shift. You can’t get closer than real-time performance tracking at the coal-face.”

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