minesight

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MineSight

®

for Engineers

Surface (Level 2)

Workbook

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© 2002, 2001, 1994, and 1978 by MINTEC, inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this document shall be

reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted

by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording or otherwise, without written permission from

MINTEC, inc.

All terms mentioned in this document that are known to

be trademarks or registered trademarks of their

respec-tive companies have been appropriately identified.

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Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Table of Contents

MineSight for Engineers – Surface – Level 2

Using This MineSight Workbook ... Intro-1

MineSight Overview ... 1-1

Familiarization with Deposit ... 2-1

Initializing the Pit Optimization Files ... 3-1

Pit Optimization Symbol Maps ... 4-1

Running Pit Optimization Programs ... 5-1

Pit Optimization Display and Analysis ... 6-1

Complex Pit Design ... 7-1

Displaying Pit Designs ... 8-1

Reserves Calculations ... 9-1

Generating Reserve Files for MineSight Strategic Scheduler ... 10-1

M821V1 Summary ... 11-1

Long Range Planning with MineSight Strategic Scheduler ... 12-1

Introduction to the MineSight Interactive Planner ... 13-1

Quaterly Planning with MS-IP ... 14-1

Plotting in MineSight 3-D ... 15-1

Appendix A - M821V1 Summary ... A-1

Appendix B - ePit Basics ... B-1

Appendix C - Overview of Python Scripting ... C-1

Appendix D - How to Build Python Scripts ... D-1

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Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Using this Mintec Workbook

Notes:

Using this Mintec Workbook

The objective of this workbook is to provide hands on training and experience with the MineSight Operations software package. This workbook does not cover all the capabilites of MineSight, but concentrates on typical mine geologists duties using a given set of data.

Introduction to the Course

To begin, we would like to thank you for taking the opportunity to enrich your understanding of MineSight through taking this training course offered by Mintec Technical Support. Please start out by reviewing this material on workbook conventions prior to proceeding with the training course documentation.

This workbook is designed to present concepts clearly and then give the user practice through exercises to perform the stated tasks and achieve the required results. All sections of this workbook contain a basic step, or series of steps, for using

MineSight with a project. Leading off each workbook section are the learning objectives covered by the subject matter within the topic section. Following this is an outline of the process using the menu system, and finally an example is presented of the results of the process.

MineSight provides a large number of programs with wide ranges of options within each program. This may seem overwhelming at times, but once you feel comfortable with the system, the large number of programs becomes an asset because of the flexibility it affords. If you are unable to achieve these key tasks or understand the concepts, notify your instructor before moving on to the next section in the workbook.

What You Need to Know

This section explains for the student the mouse actions, keyboard functions, and terms and conventions used in the Mintec workbooks. Please review this section carefully to benefit fully from the training material and this training course.

Using the Mouse

The following terms are used to describe actions you perform with the mouse: Click -press and release the left mouse button

Double-click - click the left mouse button twice in rapid succession Right-click - press and release the right mouse button

Drag - move the mouse while holding down the left mouse button

Highlight - drag the mouse pointer across data, causing the image to reverse in color Point - position the mouse pointer on the indicated item

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Using this Mintec Workbook Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.

Notes:

Terms and Conventions

The following terms and conventions are used in the Mintec workbooks:

Actions or keyboard input instructions in running text - are printed in Times New Roman font, italics, embedded within “arrow brackets” and keys are separated with a + when used in combination, for example, to apply bold face to type is indicated by “<ctrl+shift+b>”.

Button/Icon - are printed in bold with the initial letter capitalized, in Times New Roman font, for example Print, on a button, indicates an item you click on to produce a hard copy of a file; or , the Query icon, is clicked on to determine which

polyline you need to edit.

Menu Commands - are printed in Arial font, bold, with a vertical bar, as an example “File I Open” means access the File menu and choose Open.

Parameters - are printed in Arial font, lower case, in bullet format, as an example,

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the project coordinate units (metric or imperial)

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the project type (3-D, GSM, BHS, SRV).

Select - highlight a menu list item, move the mouse over the menu item and click the mouse.

Questions or Comments?

Note: if you have any questions or comments regarding this training documentation, please contact the Mintec Documentation Specialist at (520) 795-3891 or via e-mail at [email protected].

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Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. MineSight Overview

Notes:

MineSight Overview

Learning Objectives

When you have completed this section, you will know: A. The basic structure and organization of MineSight. B. The capabilities of each MineSight module. C. Ways to run MineSight programs.

What Is MineSight?

MineSight is a comprehensive software package for the mining industry containing tools used for resource evaluation and analysis, mine modeling, mine planning and design, and reserves estimation and reporting. MineSight has been designed to take raw data from a standard source (drillholes, underground samples, blastholes, etc.) and extend the information to the point where a production schedule is derived. The data and operations on the data can be broken down into the following logical groups. Drillhole Data Operations

A variety of drillhole data can be stored in MineSight, including assays, lithology and geology codes, quality parameters for coal, collar information (coordinates and hole orientation), and down-the-hole survey data. Value and consistency checks can be performed on the data before it is loaded into MineSight. After the data has been stored in the system, it can be listed, updated, geostatistically and statistically analyzed, plotted in plan or section and viewed in 3-D. Assay data can then be passed on to the next logical section of MineSight which is compositing.

Digitized Data Operations

Digitized data is utilized in the evaluation of a project in many ways. It can be used to define geologic information in section or plan, to define topography contours, to define structural information, mine designs and other information that is important to evaluate the ore body. Digitized data is used or derived in virtually every phase of a project from drillhole data through production scheduling. Any digitized data can be triangulated and viewed as a 3-D surface in MineSight.

Compositing Operations

Composites are calculated by benches (for most base metal mines) or mineral seams (for coal mines) to show the commodity of interest on a mining basis. Composites can be either generated in MineSight or generated outside the system and imported.

Composite data can be listed, updated, geostatistically and statistically analyzed, plotted in plan or section and viewed in 3-D. Composite data is passed on to the next phase of MineSight, ore body modeling.

Modeling Operations

Within MineSight, deposits can be represented by a computer model of one of two types. A 3-D block model (3DBM) is generally used to model base metal deposits, such as porphyry copper or other non-layered deposits. A gridded seam model (GSM) is used

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MineSight Overview Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.

Notes:

GSM the vertical dimensions are a function of the seam and interburden thicknesses. Foreach block in the model, a variety of items may be stored.

Typically, a block in a 3DBM will contain grade items, geological codes, and a topography percent. Many other items may also be present. For a GSM, the seam top elevation and seam thickness are required. Other items, such as quality parameters, seam bottom, partings, etc. can also be stored. A variety of methods can be used to enter data into the model. Geologic and topographic data can be digitized and converted into codes for the model, or they can be entered directly as block codes. Solids can also be created in the MineSight 3-D graphical interface for use in coding the model directly. Grade data is usually entered through interpolation techniques, such as Kriging or inverse distance weighting. Once the model is constructed, it can be updated, summarized statistically, plotted in plan or section, contoured in plan or section, and viewed in 3-D. The model is a necessary prerequisite in any pit design or pit evaluation process. Economic Pit Limits & Pit Optimization

This set of routines works on whole blocks from the 3-D block model, and uses either the floating cone or Lerchs-Grossmann technique to find economic pit limits for different sets of economic assumptions. Usually one grade or equivalent grade item is used as the economic material. The user enters costs, net value of the product, cutoff grades, and pit wall slope. Original topography is used as the starting surface for the design, and new surfaces are generated which reflect the economic designs. The designs can be plotted in plan or section, viewed in 3-D, and reserves can be calculated for the grade item that was used for the design. Simple production scheduling can also be run on these reserves.

Pit Design

The Pit Design routines are used to geometrically design pits that include ramps, pushbacks, and variable wall slopes to more accurately portray a realistic open pit geometry. Manually designed pits can also be entered into the system and evaluated. Pit designs can be displayed in plan or section, can be clipped against topography if desired, and can be viewed in 3-D. Reserves for these pit designs are evaluated on a partial block basis, and are used in the calculation of production schedules.

Production Scheduling

This group of programs is used to compute schedules for long-range planning based upon pushback designs (or phases), and reserves computed by the mine planning programs. The basic input parameters for each production period include mill capacity, mine capacity, and cutoff grades. Functions provided by the scheduling programs include:

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Calculation and reporting of production for each period, including mill production by ore type, mill head grades and waste

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Preparation of end-of-production period maps

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Calculation and storage of yearly mining schedules for economic analysis

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Evaluation of alternate production rates and required mining capacity

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Notes:

Ways to Run MineSight Programs

MineSight consists of a large group of procedures and programs designed to handle the tasks of mineral deposit evaluation and mine planning. Each procedure allows you to have a great amount of control over your data and the modeling process. You decide on the values for all the options available in each procedure. When you enter these values into a procedure to create a run file, you have a record of exactly how each program was run. You can easily modify your choices to rerun the program. To allow for easier use, the MineSight Compass menu system has been developed. Just select the procedure you need from the menu. Input screens will guide you through the entire operation. The menu system builds run files behind the scenes and runs the programs for you. If you need more flexibility in certain parts of the operations, the menus can be modified according to your needs, or you can use the run files directly. The MineSight 3-D graphical interface provides a Windows-style environment with a large number of easy-to-use, intuitive functions for CAD design, data presentation, area and volume calculations and modeling.

Basic Flow of MineSight

The following diagram shows the flow of tasks for a standard mine evaluation project. These tasks load the drillhole assays, calculate composites, develop a mine model, design a pit, and prepare long-range schedules for financial analysis. There are many other MineSight programs which can be used for geology, statistics, geostatistics, displays, and reserves.

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MINESIGHT OVERVIEW Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Initialize Update List

PCF

Drillhole Assays

Enter Scan Load Edit List Dump Rotate Add Geology Statistics Variograms Plot Collars Plot Sections Special Calculations

3-D Viewing and Interpretation

Composites

Load Edit List Dump Add Geology Add Topography Statistics Variograms Variogram Validation Plot Sections Plot Plans Special Calculations Sort

3-D Viewing and Interpretation

Mine Model

Initialize Interpolate Add Geology Add topography List Edit Statistics Reserves Special Calculations Plot Sections Plot Plans Contour Plots Sort

3-D Viewing & Solids Construction

Digitized Data

Digitize Load Edit List Dump Plot 3-D Viewing

Pit Designs

Creat Pit Optimization Model Run Pit Optimization Pit Optimization Reserves Pit Optimization Plots Run Pit Design Pit Design Reserves Pit Design Plots Reserves 3-D Views

Planning &

Scheduling

Long Range Short Range

Flow of Tasks

for a Standard

Mine Evaluation

Project

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Notes:

MineSight Capacities

Drillholes

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No limit to the number of drillholes; only limited by the total number of assays in the system

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99 survey intervals per drillhole

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524,285 assay intervals per file

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8,189 assay intervals per drillhole

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99 items per interval

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Multiple drillhole files allowed (usually one is all that is required) Composites

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524,285 assay intervals per file

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8,189 composites per drillhole

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99 items per composite interval

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Multiple composite files allowed (usually one is all that is required) Geologic Model

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3-D block model limit of 1000 columns, 1000 rows and 400 benches

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Gridded seam model limit of 1000 columns, 1000 rows and 200 seams

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99 items per block

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Multiple model files allowed (usually one is all that is required) Digitized Point Data

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4,000 planes per file - either plan or section

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20,000 features (digitized line segments) per plane

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100,000 points per plane

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99 features with the same code per plane and a unique sequence number

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Multiple files allowed

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Pit Optimization (Floating cone/Lerchs-Grossman programs)

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600 row by 600 column equivalent (rows * columns < 360000)

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Multiple files are allowed

Reserves

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20 material classes

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20 cutoff grades for each material class

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10 metal grades

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Multiple reserves files allowed

Slice Files for Interactive Planning and Scheduling

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2,000,000 blocks containing one item (the number of blocks allowed drops as the number of items per block rises)

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Unlimited benches and sections

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30 items per block

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MineSight Overview Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.

Notes:

Blastholes

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524,285 blastholes per file with standard File 12

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8,189 blastholes per shot with standard File 12

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4,194,301 blastholes per file with expanded limit File 12

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1,021 blastholes per shot with expanded limit File 12

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99 items per blasthole

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Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Familiarization with Deposit

Notes:

Familiarization with Deposit

Learning Outcome

When you have completed this section, you will know: A. The type and extent of the deposit.

B. The basic assumptions for the project such as operating costs, metal prices, mining parameters, mill recovery and capacity and processing costs.

C. The major items for the 2-D and 3-D models. D. The current topographical surface.

E. The mineralized zone and the oxide/sulfide boundary. F. How to create Gradeshells at different CU cut offs.

Basic Assumptions

The sample metals project is a potential open pit mine with copper and moly assay values. The objective of the workbook is to demonstrate the use of MineSight with the 3-D block model of the deposit for surface mine design and mine planning. If this course is being taught using mine site data, these parameters should be evaluated prior to proceeding further.

The sample project deposit area is approximately 2500m square, with topography elevations ranging from 3400m to 4360m, divided into 15m benches. Thirty-six drillholes have been drilled in the area on nominal 150m centers.

The basic assumptions for the project are:

A. The ore will be processed by a plant recovering copper and moly. The mill recoveries for both copper and moly are estimated at 80%. The plant capacity is 20,000,000 tonnes per year.

B. The metal prices for the base case are $1.00/lb for copper and $8.00/lb for moly. C. The mine will be an open pit with 40 degree pit wall slope. The roads will be 30m wide with a maximum grade of 10%. The mining cost for both ore and waste will be $1.00 /tonne. The bench height will be 15m.

D. The operating cost for the mine is estimated at $9.00/tonne of ore milled. This includes, for each ton of ore, the mining cost, plant processing cost, and administration costs. Fixed costs have been included in the cost per ton based upon the production rate.

E. The concentrate from the plant will be shipped to a smelter refinery. For the copper ore, the cost of shipping, smelting, refining, marketing, etc. is assumed to

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Familiarization with Deposit Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.

Notes:

the mining plan may be changed at a later date to optimize the schedule. Inadvanced courses, both the modeling and mine planning will be studied in more

detail.

Project Files

The following project files have already been created. Again, if you’re using your own data for training, appropriate versions of these files should be created prior to continuing the course. The project directory contains the following files:

METR10.DAT - Project Control File METR11.DAT - Drillhole Assay File METR12.DAT - Drillhole Collar/Survey File METR09.DAT - Drillhole Composite File METR13.DAT - 2-D Surface File METR15.DAT - 3-D Block Model File

METR25.TOP - Plan View VBM file for topographical data METR25.EWX - West-East sectional VBM file for geologic data.

This information is accessible by clicking on the Setup tab of MineSight Compass. Project Limits

The sample project deposit is a medium sized copper/molybdenum deposit. The coordinates are defined in metric units and cover the following area:

Eastings: 9500E to 12000E Northings: 9500N to 12000N Elevations: 3400m to 4360m Block Sizes

The block size in the model is 25m by 25m by 15m. Applying this block size over the modeled area results in a model with:

100 rows 100 columns 64 levels/benches

This information is available for review by clicking on the Extent tab in the MineSight Compass interface.

2-D Surfaces

The 2-D surface file has the following items: TOPOG - is the gridded topographical surface.

PIT1-4- surfaces can hold either economic or designed pits. THICK - thickness between surfaces

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Notes:

3-D Block Model

The 3-D Block model has the following items: TOPO - % of the block below the surface.

CUIDS - block cu grade by inverse distance weighting. CUPLY - block cu grade by assignment from nearest hole. CUKRG - block cu grade by Kriging.

EQCU - equivalent copper grade for the block.

MOLY - block moly grade by inverse distance weighting (IDW). DIST - Distance to the nearest hole in IDW interpolation. ZONE - mineralization code for the block.

1 = waste, 2 = mineralized

OTYP - reserve classification code for the block. 1 = oxide, 2 = sulfide mineralization

NCOMP - number of composites used in IDW interpolation.

The model items and their minimum, maximum, and precision values are available for review in the project file editor, found on the Project tab in MineSight Compass. These parameters can also be viewed on the Info tab of the Model View Properties dialog in MineSight 3-D.

MineSight Views

VBM

The VBM files contain polylines that define a region on one or both sides of the polylines. A polylines can have a three digit code for each side of the line, e.g., 101202. Normally, only the right side of the polylines will be given a code. Minimize MineSight Compass.

<Create a folder in the MineSight 3-D Data Manager by highlighting <unnamed>, then clicking the right mouse button. Name the folder vbm.>

Plan

<Click on the new folder, then click right and select Import I VBM File. Select the appropriate PCF file (metr10.dat for the sample project), then the VBM file metr25.top (or equivalent). Click OK.

Click the All Planes button, then click the Features tab. Click the All Features button, and click Apply.>

The topographical contours, object 901, and the mineralized zone boundary contours, object 2 have been imported. In addition, a planar gridset named metr25.top_gridset has been created, based on the planes on which the imported data resides.

<Close the VBM Import dialog. Note that the VBM file remains open as long as the VBM import dialog is open, so close this dialog as soon as you’ve finished importing the desired data.

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Notes:

WE Section

Now import the West-East sectional VBM data. <In Data Manager, click folder VBM, click right and select Import I VBM File. Select the PCF file Metr10.dat, then

the VBM file Metr25.ewx, or its equivalent if using custom data. Click OK.

Click the All Planes button, then click the Features tab. Click All Features and click

Apply.

Close the VBM Import window.>

Two features have been imported. Object 1701 is the mineralization limit as defined on section using drillholes. Object 310 is the oxide mineralization zone, also defined by the drillholes. Again, a gridset, this time oriented W-E and named metr25.ewx_gridset, has been created during the import operation.

<Close folder VBM; note that all objects within the folder are closed recursively.>

2-D Surfaces

<Create a folder in the Data Manager by highlighting <unnamed>, then clicking the right mouse button. Name the folder file13. Click on the new folder, then click right and select New I Model View. Name the model view topog. Select Metr10.dat and

Metr13.dat from the respective file browser windows.> Note: if you’re using a custom data set, the 2D surface model (File 13) must be initialized and should already contain the gridded topography data.

<Click the Cutoffs button on the Display tab in the MineSight Model View Editor

dialog. In the Cutoff Face Colors window, click the Intervals button. In the Cutoff Intervals window, enter 3400, 4360, and 20 for the minimum, maximum, and intervals, respectively.

Click right in the interval listing, and choose Select all. Click the Properties button. In the Object Properties window, click the Set Color by Range button. Click OK. Click

OK to close the Object Properties window, and again to close the Cutoff Face Colors

window. Click OK once more to close the MineSight Model View Editor dialog.> The

gridded topographical surface is now displayed in the MineSight 3-D Viewer using the defined color cutoffs.

<Close the file13 folder.>

3-D Model

<Create a folder in the Data Manager by clicking <unnamed>, then click right. Name the folder file15.>

MineSight 3-D Model View of Topo%

<Click on the new folder, then click right and select New I Model View. Name the

model view topo. Select Metr10.dat and Metr15.dat from the appropriate file browser windows. Change the Primary display item to topo. Click the Cutoffs button in the MineSight Model View Editor window.

In the Cutoff Face Colors window, type 50 in the box with 0. Click on the <50 box, then click Properties I Global Color I Blue. Click on the 50 box, then click

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Notes:

and all levels.

Click Apply.> The blocks that are coded with 50% or greater topo% are in red, and

the ones that are less are in blue.

MineSight 3-D Model View of CUIDW

<Click the Display tab and change the model view name to cuidw. Change the Primary display item to cuidw. Click the Cutoffs button in the MineSight Model View Editor window. In the Cutoff Face colors window, click the Intervals button. In the Cutoff Intervals window, enter .2, 2.4 and .2 for the minimum, maximum and intervals, respectively.> The ore/waste cutoff is assumed to be .2.

<Click right in the interval listing and then Select all. Click the Properties button. In the Object Properties window, click the Set Color by Range button and check the brightness contrast. Click OK twice. Click on the <.2 box, then Properties; uncheck the

Show Surfaces toggle.> This will prevent the waste blocks from being displayed.

<Under the Display in 3D Views header, set the Style to 3D Blocks. Change to the

Options tab and check the box under Secondary item limiting. Select zone, enter 2 for

the greater than/equal to value, and 3 for the less than value.> Zone values of 2

indicate blocks within the mineralized zone.

<Click Apply.> The display now shows all blocks within the mineralized zone that

have an interpolated value above the ore/waste cutoff of .2. Combined View

Now let’s examine all of the information we have displayed in MineSight so far. Open the topog member in the file13 folder. <Open the 1701 member in the vbm

folder.> The view shows that the interpolated blocks were limited to the mineralized

zone defined by the 1701 contours. There is a small amount of overburden below topography and the top of the ore zone.

Ortyp

To view the ortyp mineralization, create a new view called ortyp. <Click the Display

tab and change the model view name to ortyp. Change the Primary display item to

ortyp.

Click the Cutoffs button in the MineSight Model View Editor window. In the Cutoff Face colors window, click the Intervals button. In the Cutoff Intervals window, enter 1,

2, and 1 for the minimum, maximum and intervals, respectively. Ortyp of 1 is oxide, and

ortyp 2 is sulfide. Set cutoff 1 to cyan, and 2 to pink.

Change to the Options tab, and check the box under Secondary item limiting. Select

cuidw, and enter .2 for the greater than/equal to value, and 3 for the less than value.

Recall that cuidw values above .2 are ore.

Click Apply.> The display shows the ore blocks that are coded as oxide and sulfide

blocks. Oxide

To view just the oxide mineralized blocks, < click the Cutoffs tab, then click 2 I Properties I Surfaces. Uncheck Show faces.> The display now shows the oxide

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Notes:

<Close all open views.>

Gradeshells

Gradeshells are solids based on the 3-D Model views. Gradeshells can be based on values above or below a certain grade or between grades.

Now we will create a gradeshell of cuidw showing blocks between .2 and 1.4 cutoffs for the sulfide material. <Create a new member called cu.2-1.4. Set the Primary display

item to cuidw. Set the 3-D display type to Gradeshell.

Click the Range tab, and set the 3-D display limits to include all levels.

Click the GradeShell tab, and set the Gradeshell primary item to cuidw, with the

greater than/equal to value of .2, and the less than value of 1.4. Set the Limit by

secondary item to ortyp, and set the greater than/equal to value of 2, and the less than value of 3.> The display shows the sulfide mineralized blocks with interpolated grades

between .2 and 1.4.

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Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Initializing the Pit Optimization Files

Notes:

Initializing the Pit Optimization Files

In this section you will condense the mine model to a Pit Optimization model. This is required before designing pits.

Learning Outcome

When you have completed this section, you will know: A. What the Pit Optimization series of programs does B. The moving cone method of pit design

C. How to condense from a 3-D block model to a Pit Optimization model

The Pit Optimization Programs

The Pit Optimization series of programs are used to create economically feasible pit designs using a condensed version of the mine model. They can also plot out pit designs and calculate reserves.

The condensed version of the mine model is composed of two files:

•

The S-File, created from File 13, contains the initial topography for the pits

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The B-File, created from File 15, contains the one item from the 3-D block model

that is to be used in the economic calculations. It may be:

A single grade value interpolated with MineSight 600-series programs An equivalent value representing two or more grade values

A dollar value representing gross or net profit

Floating Cone Logic

Pit Optimization pits can be created by a moving cone method which can rapidly generate a series of pits based on economic criteria. The objective of the moving cone is to find maximum total profit pit limits.

1. Each block is assigned a dollar value.

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Negative value for waste

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Positive values for ore

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Zero values for air 2. Cone geometry.

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Initializing the Pit Optimization Files Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.

Notes:

•

Variable slopes or constant slopes

3. Dollar value of cone = sum of dollar values of whole blocks within cone. If the value of the cone is positive, all blocks within the cone are mined.

4. Movement of cone is from top down.

Trial and error method

5. Possible problems:

•

Multiple pit bottoms

•

Incorrect search sequence

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Initial pit to expose ore

•

Block size

General Procedure For Using Pit Optimization with Floating Cone 1. Initialize the Pit Optimization B- and S-Files using program M717V2. 2. Transfer data into the B-File and S-File using program M718V1.

3. Print plan maps of the B-File for checking purposes. Use program M722V1. The topography or S-File can be displayed with M721V1.

4. Run Program M723V1 to calculate geologic reserves from the B-File.

5. Use program M720V1 or M720V2 to enter economic criteria, slope criteria, and area constraints and then create the pit design(s) for the specified economic parameters.

6. Display resulting in plan pits with program M721V2.

7. Analyze the set of pits you created in terms of profitability and reserves and generate a preliminary mining schedule.

Initializing the Pit Optimization Model

<On the MineSight Compass Menu tab, select the Group Pit Optimization and the

Operation Initialize; from the Procedure list, select the procedure p71702.dat

-Initialize Pit Optimization files. Fill out the panels as described.>

Panel 1 - Initialize a Pit Optimization Model

On this initial panel, we specify the names of the Pit Optimization files, and the necessary parameters for the item to condense. Let’s call the B-file METRDP.BLK and the S-file METRDP.P00; < enter EQCU as the item to condense, and specify

appropriate minimum, maximum and precision values (e.g., 0, 2.5 and 0.01 respectively).>

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Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Initializing the Pit Optimization Files

Notes:

Panel 2 - Initialize a Pit Optimization Model

This panel allows us to specify the ore and waste SG/Tonnage Factor, a description printed in the report file, and optional run and report filename extensions. < Use a value

of 2.56 for the SG of both ore and waste, and enter an appropriate description such as ‘Sample Pit #1’.>

Panel 3 - Please Read the Following

This panel provides important information regarding certain limitations of the Pit Optimization series of programs. < If your project requires more than 99 Pit

Optimization file sets, you must first delete one or more existing Pit Optimization sets using program M717TS.>

Condensing the Pit Optimization Model File

<On the MineSight Compass Menu tab, select the Group Pit Optimization and the operation Data Convert. From the Procedure list, select the procedure p71890.dat -Condense Model (Pit Optimization). Fill out the panel as described.>

Program M718V1 transfers topography data from File 13 to the S-file and grade data from File 15 to the B-file.

Panel 1 - Condense a Pit Optimization File

The single panel for this procedure accepts the names of the B- and S-files, TOPOG and condensing item (with appropriate minimum and maximum values), and the lowest level to be condensed.

When M718V1 is finished, M721V1 is run and the report file is shown on the screen. It contains a symbol map of the S-file. Check it for general validity. In the next section, we will plot the grades stored in the B-file and check them.

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Initializing the Pit Optimization Files Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.

Notes:

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Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Running Pit Optimization Programs

Notes:

Running Pit Optimization Programs

Prior to this section you must have condensed the mine model to a Pit Optimization model. In this section, you will use the Pit Optimization programs to develop several pit shells based on different copper prices. Following this you can analyze the shells and display them.

Learning Outcome

When you have completed this section, you will know how to: A. Use an Area Specification Line to define cone movement B. Design a series of pits with M720V1

Cone Movement

The Area Specification Line is used within the run file to define cone movement. It can be used to force mining in a certain area even though it is not economical. These lines are entered into the run file after the end line. The procedure we will use will do this for you.

jop1 jop2 jop3 iz1 iz2 ix1 ix2 iy1 iy2 s-file

where combinations of jop1, jop2 and jop3 are used for different cone mining alternatives.

Examples include:

-1 0 0 = Read in new economic parameters on next line 1 0 0 = Mine all cones regardless of economics 0 -1 0 = Mine economic cones within area

0 n 1 = Mine economic cones within area and with base blocks within n blocks of surface

The cone movement is by column (ix) within rows (iy) by levels (iz). iz1,iz2=Define the levels for the cone movement

(iz2 >> iz1)

ix1,ix2=Define the area and direction of cone movement by columns (ix1 >> ix2 or ix2 >> ix1)

iy1,iy2=Define the area and direction of cone movement by rows (iy1 >> iy2 or iy2 >> iy1)

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Running Pit Optimization Programs Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.

Notes:

Multiple Pit Design Example

In this example we will generate economic pit limits for six different copper prices. The costs and overall recovery will remain constant at:

Waste Mining Cost: $1.00/tonne Ore Mining & Processing Cost: $9.00/tonne Copper Treatment Cost: $0.30/pound cu

Recovery = 80%

The copper prices we will use, plus the cutoff grades and net value/pound figures associated with those prices, are listed below:

Copper Price ($/lb) Net Value ($/lb) Mine Cutoff (% EQCU) Mill Cutoff (% EQCU) Optimized Pit Surface File 0.67 0.30 1.361 1.120 metrdp.p30 0.92 0.50 0.816 0.726 metrdp.p50 1.05 0.60 0.680 0.605 metrdp.p60 1.17 0.70 0.583 0.518 metrdp.p70 1.30 0.80 0.510 0.454 metrdp.p80 1.42 0.90 0.454 0.403 metrdp.p90

Designing a Pit

<On the MineSight Compass Menu tab, select the Group Pit Optimization and the

Operation Calculation. From the Procedure List, choose the procedure p72092.dat -Economic Pits (Variable Costs). Fill out the panels as described.>

Panel 1 - Pit Optimization Economic Pit Limits

<Use this panel to enter the names of the B-file (METRDP.BLK) and METRDP.P00, the original topography. Also define the type of condensed model item and the feed and waste units to use.>

Panel 2 - Pit Optimization Economic Limits

This panel is used to enter the pit optimization parameters. <Leave Mill and Mine

cutoffs blank and the program will calculate them for you. Enter the values for waste mining cost, ore cost, and net value; use 40 degrees as the general pit slope.>

Panel 3 - Area Specification lines

<Create a sequence of six pits using the filename extensions P30, P50, etc..> The pit

surfaces will be stored in S-files, which can then be plotted and evaluated. We’ve already determined that the mining area can be limited to benches 11 - 54, rows 20 - 80, and columns 20 - 80. <Accept the default base cone radius.>

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Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Running Pit Optimization Programs

Notes:

Panel 4 - Variable Economic Parameters

These are the same parameters specified in Panel 2 for the 0.30 net value pit. They now have to be set for the rest of the pits. Remember to enter the net value under the column headed Prod Price, as shown below.

Results

The program will make two passes per set of economics. It changes the N-S search direction from S_N to N_S on the second pass. Multiple passes (a maximum of four) are run to ensure that all economic material on the “skin” of the pit limit is accounted for.

Below is an example of the results from Pass# 3, which is the first pass at 0.50 net value.

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Running Pit Optimization Programs Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.

Notes:

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Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Pit Optimization Display and Analysis

Notes:

Pit Optimization Display and Analysis

Learning Outcome

When you have completed this section, you will know how to:

A. Create a plotter plan map of pit geometry and clip it into the original topo B. Analyze the set of pit shells generated in the previous section

Plotter Plan Map of Pit Geometry

Program M721V2 plots the difference between two Pit Optimization pits. Two surface files, the initial, or smaller, pit surface and the larger pit surface, are required as input.

<On the MineSight Compass Menu tab, select the Group Pit Optimization and the Operation Plot. From the Procedure List, select the procedure plndip.dat - Plot Optimized Pit Plan Map. Fill out the panels as described.>

Panel 1 - Advanced User Standard Plotting Panel

This panel allows you to enter the area to plot; we’ll plot the entire project limits at a scale of 2000.

Panel 2- Advanced User Standard Plotting Panel

This panel allows you to enter specifications from the plot grid, as well as definition and specification of various formats of overlay files. We’ll use a grid spacing of 250 m, and create a metafile called p50.hmf.

Panel 3 - Plot a Pit Optimization Pit in Plan

<Plot a plan view of the difference between the original topography (METRDP.P00) and the pit (METRDP.P50); remember to enter the name of the B-file (METRDP.BLK) as well. Plot every second bench for clarity, using pen number 3 and a 0.5 annotation size. Create a file called plt721.paa.>

Results and Plot

The plot will be previewed automatically in program M122mf. <After viewing the

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Pit Optimization Display and Analysis Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.

Notes:

Exercise

Rerun the procedure with every bench plotted and this time make a VBM ASCII input file called P50.VBM with Feature code 750.

Exercise

Repeat for S-File METRDP.P70. First view every other bench of the pit with the Plot file option (panel 2) and make a metafile P70.hmf. Second, make a VBM ASCII input

file of every bench with the file name P70.VBM and Feature code 770.>

Clip the $ .70 pit (METRDP.P70) into the original topography

and store as PIT1 in File 13

<On the MineSight Compass Menu tab, select the Group Pit Optimization and the Operation Data Convert. From the Procedure List, select the procedure p72993.dat

-S-file to 2D Grid. Fill out the panels as described.>

Panel 1 - Pit Optimization S-File Elevations

<Enter the S-file name for the original topography (METRDP.P00) as the first DIPPER pit file and METRDP.P70 as the second.> Gridded values of the $.70 net

value pit and surrounding topography are written to item PIT1 in File 13.

<To view the $0.70 pit clipped at original topography, create a new model view in the

File 13 folder in MineSight 3D. Change the primary display item to pit1. Click the Cutoffs icon, and then click the Copy button. Select TOPOG as the cutoff item to copy.

Click the GSM/Surfaces tab, and change the Surface Elevation Item to Pit1. Click

Apply. Import the VBM contours for the $0.70 pit into the VBM folder. Close the VBM

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Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Complex Pit Design

Notes:

Complex Pit Design

Learning Objectives

In this section, you will learn how to use the Expansion Tool in MineSight 3-D. When you have completed this section, you will know how to:

A. Produce smooth toe and crest lines from the Pit Optimization shells (block outlines from Floating cone routine)

B. Add roads and berms

C. Use different design criteria (i.e., variable bench face angles, variable berm widths, etc.)

D. Perform double benching

E. Design bottom up and top down expansions F. Use multiple pit bottoms

G. Add slots

Overview of MineSight 3-D Pit Expansion Tool

For mine planning, the Pit Expansion Tool in MineSight 3-D allows the mine planner to:

1. Smooth out the full block outlines of the Pit Optimization pit shells and create toe and crest lines.

2. Expand a pit up or down, inwards or outwards from a base level outline of the toe according to specified bench height(s) and either interramp slope/bench face angle specifications or catch bench width/bench face angle specifications.

3. Use variable slopes or berm widths.

4. Show toes only or toes and crests of each expansion level. 5. Edit a pit as it expands.

6. Triangulate pit outlines.

7. Add roads with or without switchbacks into the expansion. 8. Add safety berms.

9. Add slots for conveyor belts. 10. Provide for adequate mining widths. 11. Use double/triple etc. benching geometry.

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Complex Pit Design Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.

Notes:

overall life of the mine. The phase designs produced interactively with the Pit

Expansion Tool provide the basis for detailed mineable reserve summaries and annual scheduling.

14. Design dumps.

Interramp Pit Slope and Catch Bench Width Criteria

Input of the following interrelated items pertaining to slope design are allowed:

1. Catch Bench Width (W) (Also referred to as Berm Width) 2. Bench Height (H)

3. Bench Face Angle (B) (Also referred to as Bank Angle)

4. Interramp Slope Angle (I) (Also referred to as Default Slope Angle)

The following formula illustrates the interrelationship between these items: W = H(1/tan I - 1/tan B), where I and B are in degrees

There are two options:

1. Define constant or variable face and pit slope, and let MineSight 3-D determine the berm width based on a given bench height. You can still define a minimum berm width value (also constant or variable), which will be honored first. 2. Define constant or variable face slope and berm width, and let MineSight 3-D

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Notes:

pit slope (constant or variable), which will be honored first.

Exercise 1

Constant Interramp Slope, Constant Bench Face Angle, and Constant Catch Bench Width Throughout the Pit (No Roads)

For consistency in the Pit Expansion exercises, we’ll use prepared data from another similar MineSight project. In MineSight 3-D, follow these steps:

Step 1

1. Highlight <unnamed> in the Data Manager, and create a new folder. Name the folder Optimized Pits.

2. Highlight the folder Optimized Pits and import the MineSight VBM ASCII file P20.VBM (this file represents a $0.20 net value optimized pit).

3. Accept the horizontal orientation.

4. Folder Optimized Pits will now contain feature 701, and a corresponding Grid Set.

5. Create a new folder under <unnamed>. Name the new folder pits. 6. Click Tools and then Pit Expansion.

7. Create a new Geometry Object under the folder pits. Name the object pit1. 8. The Pit Expansion panel will appear on the screen.

9. Under the Expansion tab, turn on the Digitize and closed options, change the level to 2495 and click Add.

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Notes:

Step 2_{Digitize a pit bottom string on level 2495 (use the Point Snap option if needed).}

Click right when you are done. The string will change color (brown).

Step 3

1. Under the Expansion option, click on Multiple Expansion (13 steps), and make the Start Level equal to 2495.

2. Select the Required tab. Fill in the table as shown below (start at 2495, step size of 15, 1 step, face slope of 70, pit slope of 45, berm of 0).

Elevation Step size Step/berm Face slope Pit slope Berm

2495 15 1 70 45 0

Use the Face and Pit Slope option with the Up and Outward switches ON. A face slope of 70 and a pit slope of 45 will be used throughout the pit, whereas the berm width will be calculated (constant value of 9.56m).

3. Select the Parameter Sets tab. Type exercise1 in the Save Parameter Set box. Click Save. All the input information is stored in exercise1.

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Notes:

Step 4

1. Go back to the Expansion tab and click Apply (or Preview if you want to see it first before saving the results).

2. On the screen, you will see the toe (blue) and crest (purple) outlines (close feature 701 if you want to).

Exercise 2

Variable Interramp Slope, Constant Bench Face Angle, and Variable Catchbench Width (No Roads).

In this exercise, we will vary the pit slope based on codes from the model. Step 1

Make sure the VBM file MSOP25.TOP has features 1, 2, and 3 in the area of interest (around feature 701). If not, load file slp1.ia to the VBM. Features should be on elevation 2953.

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Notes:

Panel 1 - Compute Block Codes from VBM Outlines

Use the VBM file msop25.top, and enter the elevation of the source data as the lower and upper bounds (2953).

Panel 2 - Optional, User-defined Model Limits

Leave this panel blank to accept the default values.

Panel 3 - Compute Block Codes from VBM Outlines - Output

Options

Check the box to load data to the model; use the File 15 as the model file, and SLP1 as the item to load. The rest of the panel can be left blank.

Panel 4 - Compute Block Codes from VBM Outlines

Enter 2000 as the search distance to look for the closest VBM plane; leave the remaining windows blank.

Panel 5 - Compute Codes and/or Partials from VBM Outlines

We’ll use three VBM features to code the model, named 1, 2, and 3; map these features to the same model codes in the Feature Codes table.

Panel 6 - Compute Block Codes from VBM Outlines

Leave this panel blank and run the procedure; answer ‘yes’ to the question about loading the codes to the model.

Step 3 - Check the model in MineSight 3-D 1. Close object pit1.

2. Create a new folder under New Resource Map, and name it model. 3. Under the folder model, create a new Model View. Name the view slope1. 4. Pick the PCF (MSOP10.DAT) and model (MSOP15.DAT) .

5. Select item SLP1 and assign cutoff colors (click the icon next to the Select Display Item box to select an item, and click the Cutoff button to create cutoff colors). 6. In the Cutoff Face Colors panel, click Intervals. Use a minimum cutoff of 1, a

maximum of 3, and an increment of 1.

7. Highlight all the cutoffs in the Cutoff Table, and click Properties. Click Set Color by Range.

8. Close the Properties window and the Cutoff window.

9. Step through the model to see if, indeed, you have codes (use the level sliders under the Range tab).

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Notes:

Step 4

1. Close the Model View Properties dialog and unload the model. 2. Load feature 701.

3. Click Tools I Pit Expansion and create a new Geometry Object in folder pits. Call it pit2.

4. Click the Optional tab. Click the icon next to the Optional Slope/Berm Source box and select the model view you just created.

Step 5

1. Under the Pit Slope column, click the Model/Code Table switch. Click the icon to Choose Model View Item and select item SLP1. Click Codes and enter the codes as shown below.

2. Leave the rest of the settings the same as in Exercise 1.

3. Click the Parameter Sets tab and save the settings we used as Exercise 2. 4. Click the Expansion tab and digitize a base feature again, as in Exercise 1.

Code Slope

1 43

2 46

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Notes:

7. Unload feature 701. You will have a pit like the one shown below:

8. Check the results. Using Point Snap, snap to a point on a toe line and then move to a point on an upper crest line. Check the slope and distance in the status bar at the bottom of the viewer. Do the same from toe to toe to check the pit slope.

Exercise 3

Variable Interramp Slope, Constant Bench Face Angle, and Variable Catch Bench Width (with Roads).

Step 1

1. Create a new Object in folder pits. Call this Object 701base. 2. Open Object pit2.

3. Select the base feature and copy it to the new object 701base. To make sure you select the base feature, temporarily switch OFF the Show Polylines option under the Properties of materials Pit Crest and Pit Toe (under the material folder). Use the Copy to Object option under the Selection menu.

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Notes:

Step 2

1. Open the Pit Expansion tool. Create a new Object and call it pit3. 2. Keep the same set open and click the Road tab.

3. Click Add and then Edit.

4. Fill in the road panel and digitize points, as shown below:

5. To digitize a starting point, click the Starting Point icon, and then click on the desired starting point for the road in the viewer.

6. Close the road table. Step 3

1. Go to the Expansion tab. Click Copy, then click Add, and click the string on the screen. Click Apply to expand.

2. Save this set-up as exercise3. 3. Close the Pit Expansion window.

4. The roads have been saved with different material types; therefore, they have

Level Width Grade Direction 2495 30 0.1 1

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Notes:

Step 4 Check the slopes.

You can also view and compare the toe/crest lines bench-by-bench along with DIPPER outlines (object 701).

1. Load object 701.

2. Click the Viewer Properties icon. 3. Click the green grid icon.

4. Select Object p20.vbm_gridset. Click the Change to 2d Mode button. 5. Step through the planes.

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Notes:

Exercise 4

Variable Interramp Slope, Constant Bench Face Angle, and Variable Catch Bench Width (with Roads and Multiple Base Features).

For this exercise we are going to use DIPPER outlines that represent a higher net value ($0.38). We also need to adjust the slope codes in the model.

Step 1 - In MineSight Compass:

1. Open VBM file MSOP25.TOP for editing using procedure p65002. 2. Delete features 1, 2 and 3.

3. Import the ASCII file SLP2.IA.

4. Repeat procedure p66701.dat. Keep the panels the same as last time, with the only exception of the name of the item to which to load codes; change this item to SLP2.

5. Close MineSight Compass and verify the model codes in MineSight 3-D. 6. Create a new model view under folder model. Name the view slope2 (the view of

item SLP2).

7. Close folder model after checking the model.

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Notes:

Step 2_1. _{Import VBM ASCII file P38.VBM to folder Dipper. Feature 704 will appear in}

the Viewer.

2. Look at the 704 DIPPER pit geometry on benches 2210 through 2345. Note how the multiple pit bottoms eventually merge on bench 2345.

3. Digitize the base features (as planar polylines) at elevations 2210, 2225, 2240, and 2255. Follow the example below. Store features to a new Object in folder pits. Call this object 704base. Snap an Edit Grid to the above elevations, and use a combination of Plane Snap and Point Snap to create the planar polylines, as shown below.

Step 3

1. Open a new Object in folder pits for editing. Name it pit4.

2. Open the Pit Expansion tool. Save the parameters used in Exercise 4 and start modifying parameters.

3. Start at elevation 2210.

4. Copy and Add all four base features. 5. Pick model view slope2 and item SLP2. Step 4 Add a Road.

Follow the examples below to add a road. The road does not need to start until elevation 2240.

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Notes:

Step 5 Make a Multiple Expansion.

Click Preview to make a multiple expansion up to elevation 2255. Check the results. Notice that there is a kink in the road that may need straightening. Furthermore, there is no road access to the 2255 pit bottom.

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Notes:

Step 6 - Correct the Kink in the Road.

To correct the kink in the road, if desired, you must edit object 704base on elevation 2240 (see below).

1. Cancel Preview, and click the Expansion tab. Click the Edit strings option. 2. Edit the base feature at elevation 2240.

Click Preview and see if the road is smoothed. Modify the base features as necessary until you get a result to your satisfaction.

Step 8 - Single Expansion

1. Change the expansion to Single Expansion and click Apply until you reach the toe elevation of 2255.

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Notes:

2. Now you need to access the 2255 bottom.

3. Edit the toe line at elevation 2255 so it follows the shape of feature 704base on elevation 2255 (see below).

4. Add one more road at elevation 2255. 5. Delete the base feature at 2255. 6. Expand up to elevation 2345.

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Notes:

7. Using volume clipping and after loading object 704, step through the planes tosee how close the pit outlines are to the DIPPER outlines. 8. Go to elevation 2345. Edit toe line at elevation 2345 to match the DIPPER outline.

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Notes:

Step 9 - Clip Final Pit to Topography

To see the final pit clipped to the topography:

1. Triangulate pit4 by clicking the Triangulate Pit button on the Expansion tab. 2. Store the results in a new Object called pit4tri in the pits folder.

3. Import VBM file 901.vbm to folder topo. 4. Triangulate 901 to 901tri.

5. Intersect 901tri and pit4tri to a new Object in the pits folder, pit4clip.

Exercise 5

Variable Interramp Slope, Variable Bench Face Angle, and Constant Catch Bench Width.

In Exercise 3, we used the following slope design parameters:

In this exercise, we will set the catch bench width to 7.10 meters, and expand the pit based on bench face angles that vary by sector in accordance with the interramp angles.

Sector Interramp Angle Bench face Angle Catch Bench Width

1 43 70 10.68

2 46 70 9.04

3 50 70 7.1

1 43 59 7.1

2 46 63.5 7.1

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Notes:

Step 1_1. _{Open Object 701base. For the sake of simplicity, we are not going to use roads in}

this exercise.

2. Create and open object pit5 in folder pits for editing. 3. Create a new Parameter Set called exercise5. 4. Start at elevation 2495.

5. Click the Optional tab and click the Face Slopes-Sector Table switch. Click the Sectors button.

6. Click the Sector Center icon and click inside the base feature. 7. Enter the azimuths and face slopes as shown below.

8. On the Required tab, click the Face Slope and Berm option, and enter 7.1 as the berm width and 50 degrees as maximum pit slope.

Azimuth

Face Slope

40

59

170

63.5

320

70

Elevation Step size Step/berm Face slope Pit slope Berm 2495 15 1 70 50 7.1

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Notes:

9. Make 10 expansions. 10. Check results.

Notice that the distance from crest to toe is always 7.1. Pit slopes were also

calculated, and they should be 43o_{, 46}o_{and 50}o_{for different sections of the pit (sectors}

1, 2 and 3, respectively).

Exercise 6

Double Benching with Constant Interramp Slope, Constant Bench Face Angle, and Constant Catch Bench Width.

For this exercise, we are going to use base feature 701base on plane 2495. We will expand the pit to 2690 using double benching and a constant interramp slope of 50 degrees, and a bench face angle of 60 degrees. The catch bench width for a 50 degree interramp, 60 degree bench face angle and a 30m bench height is 7.85.

Step 1

1. Open object 701base.

2. Make a new object ( pit6) in folder pits.

3. Open the Pit Expansion tool and make a new Parameter Set ( Exercise 6 ). 4. Use a step size of 30 in the Bench Table.

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Notes:

5. Check the results. You should get a toe and a crest every 30 meters.

Exercise 7

Double Benching with Variable Interramp Slope, Constant Bench Face Angle, and Variable Catch Bench Width.

We are going to repeat Exercise 3 (see table), but with double benching.

If we assume the same interramp angles and the constant 70 degree bench face angle, then for a 30m bench height, the catch bench widths will be:

Sector 1 - 21.25 Sector 2 - 18.05 Sector 3 - 14.25

2495 30 1 60 50 0

1 43 70 10.68

2 46 70 9.04

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Notes:

Step 1

1. Create Object pit7 and set up exercise7.

2. Start from 2495 and use the model view slope1 to vary the pit slopes. 3. Check the results.

Step 2

Try the same exercise using a step size of 15 and a step number of 2. You will get all the crest lines between the toe lines.

Exercise 8

Top-down Design Approach with Ramp Switchback. 1. Open object pit3.

2. Change to 2-D mode (using Grid Set p38.vbm_gridset). 3. Go to elevation 2630.

4. Make a new object, 701down, in folder pits. 5. Copy toe line (blue) to the new object ( 701down). 6. Close pit3.

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Notes:

8.

Adjust

the pit ramp exit better matches the natural topo conditions, as shown below.701down using the Substring I Smooth and Point I Move functions

9. Close 901 and go back to 3-D mode.

10. Create object pit8 (edit mode) and Parameter Set exercise8.

11. Start from 2630 , and expand downwards and inwards using the following expansion parameters.

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Notes:

12. Set up a road table with a switchback. Be certain to notice the order of the lines. Check the box marked User cam, and enter two points to define the start of the road, as shown here.

13. Expand 8 times. 14. Check the results.

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Notes:

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Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Displaying Pit Designs

Notes:

Displaying Pit Designs

Learning Outcome

When you have completed this section, you will know how to: A. create surfaces

B. merge two surfaces together C. contour the merged surface

D. display in the merged surface in plane, level by level E. display the merged surface in section, section by section

Creating the Topo Surface

<Create a new folder in MineSight called surfaces. Open the 901 object in the vbm folder. Select all elements and click right. Click Surface I Triangulate Surface I

with Selection and send the results to a new object, topo with material 901 in the surfaces folder.

Save and close the 901 object. Double click on the topo object. Click the Surfaces tab and uncheck the Show Lines box. Check the Show Faces box.> This gives the surface a

more realistic appearance.

Merging Pit With Topo

When we created the pits, we made sure to expand the pits above the topographical surface. As we exited the Pit Expansion Tool, we triangulated the toe-crest contours. We will use the one of the triangulated pits in this example.

<Open triangulated pit1, object pit1tri.

Click Surface I Intersect Surfaces from the MineSight menu bar. Select the topo as the Primary Surface and the pit as the Secondary Surface. Select Cut Surface and click Preview.> The result will appear in a pale yellow color and will show the pit

merged into the topography. <Click Apply.

Select Send Results to Open Edit Object.

Select the surfaces folder. Name the object topopit, and enter 901 for the material type.

Close the Surface Intersection window, and the topo and pit1tri objects. Double click on the topopit object in Data Manager, and click the Surfaces tab. Uncheck the Show Lines box, and check the Show Faces box.>

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Displaying Pit Designs Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.

Notes:

Exercise

Merge PIT2 into topo and call the result topopit2. The merged pit and topo are displayed below:

Contour Surfaces

MineSight can contour any triangulated surface with a single click of the mouse.

<Click the Polyline I Contour Surface function from the menu bar and click the Object

Select icon. Click the topopit object. The project minimum, maximum and bench height

are entered automatically. Accept the default check boxes.

Click the Apply button and store the results in the surfaces folder as object 808. Close the topopit object.>

Display in Plan

<Open the Viewer Properties dialog, and make sure that the installed Grid Set is

p50.vbm_gridset. Change to 2-D mode.

Click through different planes using the plane adjustment buttons under the menu bar.>

The display will show the pit clipped by topo at the toe elevation of each bench.