APIs in mining technology: What are they, and what do they do

What is an API?

An Application Programming Interface (API) is a connection that allows two software platforms to talk to one another. It lets you add, edit, delete, or fetch data between systems. And it's not just some fancy tech lingo—it's the secret sauce that makes data integration and analysis super smooth in mining software.

If the ideal scenario is having geological data, satellite imagery, and operational metrics flowing between different systems, APIs can do that! This integration will make your job a lot easier, help you crunch those numbers more efficiently, and, in the end, squeeze every last drop of value from your operations.

How APIs can lend a hand

Let's talk about how APIs can make life easier and help you put routine tasks on autopilot.

Do you have tedious routine data tasks you have to wade through every day, week, or month? Think of that monthly report with the complex procedure where you have to log in to X; export such and such; paste it into tab 7 of the "magic-black-box" spreadsheet; perform these 8 tweaks and checks, then copy the data from tab 11; paste it to another spreadsheet; save to CSV; then import to... You get the gist.

APIs give you the potential to automate getting the data you need, transforming it as required, and delivering it to the system or person who needs the result.

File-based integration vs. API integration

Before we dig too deep into APIs, let's take a quick detour to discuss the two most common methods in mining software integration today: file-based integration and APIs.

File-based integration

What’s This? File-based integration uses files (CSV, Excel, or text) to move data between different programs. This can happen either through good ol' manual transfer, where drill results are sent over via email attachments, shared network drives, or even physical USB drives. Or it might also happen through processing, where your mining software chows down on these files to exchange info. As a geologist, for example, you might create a CSV file containing core sample data and pass it along to your resource modelling team.
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The Good Stuff:
- Quick and Simple: Exporting or importing data in this format is usually straightforward, with most software supporting this functionality.
- Offline Processing: Your files can be created and processed offline, which is a good fit when real-time interaction isn't necessary.
- Versatile: Quick setup, and Excel files can be easily shared, opened, and edited by anyone - no worries!
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Latency: Transferring files takes time and planning, especially when you're dealing with a big ol' dataset. This delay can throw a wrench in your decision-making.
- Data Consistency: Juggling multiple files (and multiple versions) across systems can lead to a messy game of spot the difference.
- Complexity: Dealing with different formats and making sure everything checks out can be a bit of a headache.

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)

What's This? Another way of looking at APIs is as a digital middleman that lets different bits of software communicate with each other. They set the rules for how services interact, determining how they request information and exchange data. In a mining scenario, APIs ensure that all your tools and systems speak the same language.
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Upsides:
- Chit-Chat in Real Time: APIs mean data can natter away instantly. There’s no hanging around for file transfers; data just zips straight across. They’re also great with scheduled catchups and have no complaints with a locked-in 2am yarn every day of the year; giving you fresh data every morning with your coffee.
- Checks and Balances: APIs ensure your data behaves itself. If your data has an off day and doesn't look right, the API will give it a telling off with an error code.
- Mix and Match: They let you select the data that matters now, while also accommodating future expansion for new data needs.
- No Ticket, No Entry: APIs don’t talk to strangers - meaning that you need the right credentials and authorisation to be able to access or submit data.
Downsides:
- Bit of a Learning Curve: APIs are quite simple to use if you know a little bit of code. Most software provide documentation. However strategising the flow of data and relevancy is going to make or break your integration.
- Online all the time: APIs need to remain connected to the network, so if your internet takes a nap, your real-time chats might be affected.

Mining Software and APIs

Now that we understand the power of APIs, let’s examine some mining software platforms that are leading the charge in API integration today.

Imago.

Imago is a cloud-based platform for managing large volumes of geoscientific imagery. It captures, catalogues, and connects core and chip tray images with geological models.

Imago’s APIs combine data from various sources, such as drilling data, core photos, and geological imagery.
Its API allows you to pull images straight into your exploration workflow. For all you geology buffs out there, this means you can get your hands on core photos from specific drill holes without manually moving files around.

CorePlan

CorePlan is an integrated drilling management platform for exploration, development and production drilling.

Say goodbye to the old-school pen-and-paper process. CorePlan's digital approach streamlines your drill program operations, making it feel like your existing systems just got an upgrade. What does this mean for you? Your drill planning, rig operations, safety compliance—virtually everything is managed within a cloud-based environment with a Mobile App for your team in the field to record their daily work, whether within Wi-Fi range or not.
CorePlan can integrate with existing systems, providing a ton of flexibility and customisation options. Whether you're keeping tabs on drill progress and safety protocols or just need real-time data collection, CorePlan makes it happen.
For those who speak the language of software, CorePlan’s open API is a tool at your disposal. It's there to help professional and enterprise-level customers forge their own communication channels with minimal fuss. “Middleware” is a term you may hear for the little orchestrator who sits between the APIs for different software tools. It does the translations, keeps the secrets, follows the schedule and generally keeps the conversations going. It can be built by you, or we can assist you through our professional services offerings.
CorePlan’s open API makes linking your operations data with your employee data easy. For instance, if you keep your employee data in software like Pronto, you can get timesheets filled in by drillers in the CorePlan app and ‘post’ them to Pronto without the hassle of manual import, export, or double manual entry.
Like to run your own custom reports using programs like PowerBI, Periscope, or Excel? If you're an enterprise-level customer, you can easily do that through CorePlan’s API.

Colleagues Matrixx.

Colleagues Matrixx offers a suite of mining technology and systems.

Matrixx Xchange, a collaboration platform built for mining companies, consolidates and standardises drilling reporting data from any source.
This software can instantly access and approve/reject drilling data through APIs, streamlining communication across teams.

Px4 Software.

Px4 Software helps companies manage paperwork faster, freeing them up to focus on important projects. It does this by handling all the administrative tasks related to tenements, agreements and approvals.

Px4 leverages APIs to establish connections with various Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Their solution uses a unique tenement identifier, which enables the connected GIS to accurately display the relevant geographical boundaries for the user.

Embracing the future of mining tech with APIs

APIs are a critical component of modern software. Mining technology is starting to develop the capability to incorporate APIs as the industry matures. This ‘new’ way of data transfer enabling seamless data integration, enhanced analysis, and streamlined workflows. By embracing APIs and leveraging cutting-edge mining software platforms like CorePlan, your company can unlock new efficiency, productivity and innovation levels.

Do you have more questions about integrating CorePlan with your tech stack? Get in touch with our customer success team now to discuss your requirements.

APIs in mining technology: What are they, and what do they do

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