The Brazilian operation of leading global professional services consultancy Coffey International Limited has entered into a preliminary strategic partnership with the UK’s Virtalis, one of the world’s leading Virtual Reality (VR) companies.

Virtalis will be showcasing its GeoVisionary software, the 3D landscape visualising software that it developed jointly with the British Geological Survey, at Coffey’s booth during EXPOSIBRAM 2009 in Brazil, which is the largest international mining conference in Latin America.

Coffey general manager of operations in South America, Craig McCloskey, said both businesses have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to embed new VR technologies in the mining industry. “We are pleased to leverage Coffey Mining’s specialist knowledge in the minerals industry and Coffey Information’s expertise in spatial information technology to deliver extraordinary outcomes to clients, supported by Virtalis’ VR solutions.  Spatial data management is an important tool in providing planning, design, training and maintenance solutions to the mining industry, as well as in many other sectors. Virtalis’ GeoVisionary software coupled with the company’s systems expertise, presents an excellent opportunity to expand Coffey’s ability to provide high quality spatial data management solutions in 2D, 3D and 4D visualisations.”

According to David Cockburn-Price, Virtalis’ managing director; “GeoVisionary enables the real-time visualisation of high detail GIS source data, and allows other data, such as geoscience, geotechnical, environmental, sub-surface, geochemical and other specialised information to be overlaid onto it, giving a complete picture. The depth of knowledge that Coffey has in Brazil should prove invaluable to us in our quest to bring GeoVisionary to a wider audience on the global stage.  Coffey’s extensive industry knowledge and expertise in a variety of sectors and its ability to identify practical applications using our VR technology to improve the efficiency and design of new and existing operations will enable Coffey’s clients to benefit from the value-add that GeoVisionary brings almost immediately.”

Coffey plans to expand its VR and visualisation service offering in the region across a range of sectors including oil & gas, infrastructure and property. Coffey also has strategic partnerships with a number of research institutions and universities in Brazil.

Media contacts:
Fabio Menezes, Communications Manager, Coffey Mining
P: (+61) (3) 9473 1300; M: (+61) 450 840 374; E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sarah Cockburn-Price, PR & Marketing Manager, Virtalis
P: (+44) 1282 868008 E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Download hi-res images:
 Generic minehead with vehicles all modelled in CAD and viewed in GeoVisionary (879.97 KB)
 Mineshafts with boreholes and orbs modelled in stereoscopic 3D by GeoVisionary (736.17 KB)
 GeoVisionary users from BGS immerse themselves in stereoscopic 3D to better understand and interpret their data (261.94 KB)

Geological data reproduced with permission of British Geological Survey ©NERC - All rights reserved.

Geovisionary Twitter:   http://twitter.com/geovisionary

About Coffey

Coffey International Limited (ASX: COF) has been operating for 50 years, and is part of the S&P/ASX 300. We have a range of specialist businesses working in the social and physical infrastructure markets, and collectively, we aim to achieve our vision: to be global specialists solving emerging challenges to improve the lives of communities.

We have over 4,000 people working on projects in more than 80 countries and permanent offices throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.

Coffey Mining provides a wide range of specialist consulting services and products to all sectors of the international mining industry, from target generation to mine closure. Our team of consultants features some of the best mining, geological, metallurgical, tailings and geotechnical engineering professionals from around the world. With operations experience in over 70 countries, we are renowned for providing practical, innovative solutions to complex mining problems.

Coffey Information in Brazil provides a wide range of specialist spatial information technology services and products to a diversity of markets including mining, utilities, infrastructure, oil & gas, environment and government. Our team of consultants features specialists in geoinformatics, geodesy, virtual reality and software development. We have over 15 years’ experience in Brazil and pioneered the local application of technologies such as GIS, 3D modelling, spatial analysis, remote sensing and specialist natural resources data management software.

Visit us at www.coffey.com for more information.

About Virtalis

Virtalis is a world-leading, Virtual Reality (VR) and advanced visualisation company. Its products and systems aid understanding by enabling interaction with data, fostering communication between designers, manufacturers, trainers, marketeers and senior management. Virtalis helps businesses across a variety of market sectors - automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, construction, academia, engineering, retailers and the military.

Virtalis demonstrates that advanced visualisation and VR offer valuable returns on investment, providing an essential set of tools to improve its clients’ competitive position. Virtalis tools and techniques generate proven tangible and intangible benefits whilst reducing risk. BAE, Vestas, Case New Holland, Alstom, Areva, the R.A.F., Leyland Trucks, Fiat/Elasis and universities from around the world, have all benefitted from Virtalis technology.

Virtalis developed and launched the StereoWorks range of visualisation systems, covering entry-level systems up to multi-channel, tracked ActiveMove and ActiveCube systems. All these systems are controlled and linked by Virtalis software. Subsequent product launches include GeoVisionary, the ground-breaking landscape visualisation tool, Helicopter Crew Reality, the helicopter crew training environment, MockUp Cluster, StereoServer and GigaCell VR. Virtalis enjoys a distinguished track record and has announced a series of new partnerships and relationships with other market-leading, innovative companies. In addition, Virtalis has recently opened an office in the US.

Visit other pages on www.virtalis.com for more information.

A Portuguese translation of this story is attached:
 Coffey & Virtalis announcement in Portuguese (62.44 KB)