Why Mining Companies Need a Planning Partner, Not Just Software

163 Solutions
Mar 17
3 min read

Technology alone does not transform planning. The real value comes from the intersection of mining expertise, financial rigour, and implementation know-how.

The Software Trap

There is a persistent belief in the mining industry that buying the right software will solve planning problems. Invest in Anaplan, SAP, or any other enterprise platform, and the budgeting headaches will disappear. Forecasting will become accurate. Decisions will become faster.

It does not work that way. Software is an enabler, not a solution. A planning platform is only as good as the models built on it, the data fed into it, the processes wrapped around it, and the people trained to use it. Without those elements, you end up with an expensive tool that replicates the same broken processes you had in Excel — just on a fancier platform.

"You can put anything into a platform, and they always say 'garbage in, garbage out.' What matters is identifying the key drivers or levers in a business."

What a Planning Partner Actually Does

A genuine planning partner brings three things that software cannot provide on its own:

1. Domain Expertise That Shapes the Model Design

In mining, the difference between a useful model and a misleading one often comes down to understanding operational nuance. How does ore grade variability affect processing cost? What is the real relationship between development metres and stoping production in an underground operation? How should you model the ramp-up curve for a new shaft?

These are not questions a software vendor can answer. They require people who have been on mines, who understand the operational drivers, and who can translate those drivers into financial logic. This is why we travel to site — whether in the DRC, East Africa, or the Bushveld Complex. You cannot build a credible model from a desk if you have never seen the operation.

2. Change Management That Drives Adoption

The most technically brilliant planning system is worthless if people do not use it. We consistently see organisations invest heavily in platforms, only to find that six months after go-live, teams have reverted to their old spreadsheets because nobody invested in training, communication, or on-the-ground support.

Africa presents unique change management challenges. Mining operations are often remote, connectivity can be limited, and workforces are diverse in language, education level, and technology comfort. A change management approach designed for a London head office will not work at a mine site in Limpopo or Kolwezi.

This is why 163 Solutions partners with Insights Online and their FLEX digital training platform — scalable, on-site digital training that ensures the people who actually use the system are confident and capable from day one.

3. Ongoing Support That Keeps the System Relevant

Mining operations change constantly. New shafts open, old ones close, commodity prices shift, and regulatory requirements evolve. A planning system that was perfectly configured at go-live will drift out of alignment within months if nobody maintains it. A planning partner provides the continuity to keep your models current, your integrations working, and your users supported.

The African Context Matters

Africa's mining sector is experiencing a moment of significant transformation. Mining Indaba 2026 saw a 35% increase in attendance by mining finance specialists. Regulatory reforms are accelerating across the continent. Critical mineral demand is driving renewed investment, with Africa holding nearly 80% of global PGM reserves, over 54% of cobalt reserves, and significant shares of manganese, chromium, and copper.

In this environment, the companies that will thrive are those that can plan accurately, adapt quickly, and make decisions with confidence. That requires more than software. It requires a partner who understands African mining from the inside, who can build models that reflect operational reality, who will get on a plane to your site rather than advising from a distance, and who will stay with you as your operation evolves..

The question is not "which planning software should we buy?" The question is "who will help us plan better?" The software is part of the answer. The partner is the rest of it.

163 Solutions is an official Anaplan implementation partner specialising in the mining sector. We help mining companies migrate from Excel to Anaplan without losing the business logic that matters. Get in touch — roelof@163solutions.co.za or dean@163solutions.co.za