Prefeasibility planning and cost estimation of conveyor systems has historically been undertaken by comparing fixed plant transport requirements to that of similar systems in service. This paper describes the development of a prefeasibility conveyor technical design and cost estimation application using Microsoft Excel Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) platform. The application tool known as D-Convey (Dachshund Convey) was developed with the goal enabling the end user:_x000D_
to develop a technical model for conceptualised conveyor systems,_x000D_
to perform economic analysis on the developed technical model, and_x000D_
to conduct a comparative and risk analysis. An Excel VBA based platform was utilised to draw upon both the analytical and graphical capabilities of a spreadsheet. Some of the features of D-Convey system include a revolutionary dynamic graphical help system, known as the information pane' in lieu of traditional help files as well as the use of familiar graphical user interface elements such as the MS Office 2007 task ribbon. The D-Convey system incorporates material database allowing for mass handling prefeasibility estimation in other industries; it has been validated at a local quarry._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:Baafi, E Y and Porter, I, 2010. Computer simulation of roadway development to support longwall mining, in Proceedings Mine Planning and Equipment Selection (MPES) 2010, pp 561-566 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).