Luck Stone was presented with the 2014 “Special Achievement in GIS” (SAG) Award at the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) User Conference in San Diego, for the successful implementation of ArcGIS Online for Organizations, which includes a mobile Geographic Information System (GIS) App (for Androids and iOS platforms). The “Special Achievement in GIS” award acknowledges leadership, vision, hard work, and the innovative use of ESRI’s GIS Technology.
Launching a mobile GIS platform aligns with Luck Stone’s focus on innovation and collaboration – specifically between associates in the field and engineering. Replacing paper maps and eliminating lag time in sharing updates between the locations and engineering, the technology allows associates to receive instant and interactive real time data that helps them achieve operational excellence on a daily basis. The technology also allows users in the field to locate themselves within the map shown on the mobile app.
According to Kevin Rareshide, chief design engineer, “The mobile GIS App provides ample access to information, and the ability for associates to interact with the data has certainly resulted in increased collaboration, as well as quick and strategic decision-making between the locations and engineering department.”
The Mining Engineering team at Luck Stone has also been a driving factor in introducing the innovative mobile technology in the design of plants and mining as a whole at Luck Stone. Several plants are using the GIS technology including the company’s Bull Run location in Northern Virginia. The Bull Run plant broke ground on a $40 million expansion earlier this year and the app continues to play a key role in the construction process.
John Blackmore, GIS coordinator in Business Development and Mining Engineering at Luck Stone, said, “The introduction of the GIS technology was made possible with help from our partners at WorldView Solutions. Their contributions in planning and building the infrastructure, as part of the GIS program, are helping to make this technology a success at Luck Stone.” ESRI’s 2014 award winners span many industries including mining, agriculture, education, defense and intelligence, economic development, government, healthcare, and utilities.
Accepting the award on behalf of Luck Stone were (see accompanying photo) John Blackmore (left), Jamie Christensen (right), president and founder of WorldView Solutions and Jack Dangermond (center) president of ESRI.