Minesight Block Models and Rough Open Pits (1)

(1)

Block Models and Rough Open

Pits

Note – These slides contain many screen shots from the program MineSight

developed by Mintec. Credit for the program is given to its developers. These

slides draw on previous material prepared by the author and some of the

topics covered are also found in Mintec training courses.

(2)

Representing Ore Bodies

• _{So far we have used contour lines and the}

_{So far we have used contour lines and the}

linker tool to set bounds on ore bodies

• Disseminated deposits lack firm orebody edges

_{Disseminated deposits lack firm orebody edges}

• Even vein deposits with clear edges usually have

_{Even vein deposits with clear edges usually have}

grade variations within their limits

• Orebodies can be expressed digitally by

_{Orebodies can be expressed digitally by}

breaking the ground up into large numbers of

little cubes

• This representation is called a “Block Model”

_{This representation is called a “Block Model”}

• Because very large numbers of blocks the

_{Because very large numbers of blocks the}

technique if for computer based analysis

(3)

Block Model Identification Begins

When You Start MineSight

You must have an idea Of what the coordinates Are for your ore body And what units because You have to specify

Project limits.

You also need to have An idea of block size.

(4)

We Will Look at Block Models

with Open Pit this Time.

• _{Splitting blocks with benches is a mathematical complexity}

_{Splitting blocks with benches is a mathematical complexity}

• Try to make block height correspond to bench height

_{Try to make block height correspond to bench height}

• Bench height is related to equipment size_{Bench height is related to equipment size}

• Shovels have to be able to dig to top of bench_{Shovels have to be able to dig to top of bench} • A big shovel goes with a big truckA big shovel goes with a big truck

• Big shovels and trucks go with big deposits (obviously you need an Big shovels and trucks go with big deposits (obviously you need an idea of how big your deposit is)

idea of how big your deposit is)

• Also related to homogeneity of oreAlso related to homogeneity of ore

• A Bench will generally mix all ore over its vertical height – if you need _{A Bench will generally mix all ore over its vertical height – if you need}

vertical selection you need shorter benches

• Taller benches usually more economicTaller benches usually more economic

• Fewer levels to maintain_{Fewer levels to maintain}

(5)

Load Your Assay and Drill Hole

Data into the Program

(6)

Composite Samples to Bench

Height

(7)

Use Chosen Interpolation Routine to

Estimate Block Grades in Model

As Mining Engineers we Will often be Given block Models that Our geologists Have already Developed.

(8)

Where We Are At

• _{We Have a Geologic Block Model (stored as a}

_{We Have a Geologic Block Model (stored as a}

“File 15”)

• We have Geologic reserves and grade and tonnage

_{We have Geologic reserves and grade and tonnage}

• This is where we will begin our work (at least in this class)

_{This is where we will begin our work (at least in this class)}

• Common Procedure is to Find Out How Much

_{Common Procedure is to Find Out How Much}

is Economically Minable given the overburden

• This is done with a computer routine that tries to select the

_{This is done with a computer routine that tries to select the}

largest set of blocks that keeps adding to the pits value

• This is where we go next

_{This is where we go next}

(9)

Preparing Files to Receive

Data

• The Pit Optimization Procedures We

_{The Pit Optimization Procedures We}

Will Use Require Specialized Places to

Store Information

• _{They must follow naming conventions used}

_{They must follow naming conventions used}

by the computer codes

• The program therefore contains file

_{The program therefore contains file}

initiation routines to ready files for that

purpose

(10)

What Is Required

• You Must Have a Gridded Surface

_{You Must Have a Gridded Surface}

Model of Your Current Topography

• A gridded surface file is a digital

_{A gridded surface file is a digital}

representation of the surface

• The surface is broken up into little squares

_{The surface is broken up into little squares}

and each square is assigned an average

elevation

• _{You Must Use Minesight Compass}

_{You Must Use Minesight Compass}

Routines for setting up the files

(11)

What We Are Going to Do

• _{Start Compass}

_{Start Compass}

• (If compass is being run first time in project

_{(If compass is being run first time in project}

have to set things up)

• We create a Project Control File PCF

_{We create a Project Control File PCF}

• We create a Project File

_{We create a Project File}

• Next We Create a Gridded Surface File

_{Next We Create a Gridded Surface File}

• _{Then we create a model view in}

_{Then we create a model view in}

MineSight 3D

(12)

Continuing Our Plan

• We will use our regular GSF to create a

_{We will use our regular GSF to create a}

special GSF for MineSight Economic

Planner

• _{We will use our block model to create a}

_{We will use our block model to create a}

special block model for Economic Planner

• _{We will ask Economic Planner to Find}

_{We will ask Economic Planner to Find}

Our Ultimate Pit

• _{The largest set of blocks to mine that keeps}

_{The largest set of blocks to mine that keeps}

making us more money as we expand

(13)

Lets Start By Getting Those Initial

Files and the GSF Files Ready

We Open MineSight Compass

(14)

The First Time You Use Compass

You Will Likely Get a Protest

Speech

(15)

Start by Acknowledging the

Complaint – Say Ok

(16)

MineSight Compass Starts

(But almost everything is grayed out because it

is protesting the missing files)

(17)

MineSight Likes to Have Two

Files

• _{A MineSight Project Control File}

_{A MineSight Project Control File}

• It lists off all the different files and objects the

_{It lists off all the different files and objects the}

program has to keep track of

• (it’s a table of contents for a computer to read)

_{(it’s a table of contents for a computer to read)}

• A Project File

_{A Project File}

• Contain identification, name and basic dimension

_{Contain identification, name and basic dimension}

information for the project

• _{We have to Pacify MineSight before we will}

_{We have to Pacify MineSight before we will}

be allowed to proceed (unless someone

already did this – which they might have to

create a block model).

(18)

Use the Compass File Drop

Down to Create a new PCF

(19)

It Ask to Verify It is In the Right

Directory for Your Project

(20)

Project Initialization Starts

Identify your measurement units

You need to explain what Project type you have – you Will almost always be 3-D Pick a 4 letter ID for your Project. Most of your data Files will begin with this 4 letter name.

The mineral type and

Description will be for output Reports – this helps you – Not the computer.

When finished with the

(21)

Next It Wants to Know About the

Coordinate System for Your

Block Model

(22)

Commentary

• This will set the area for your block

_{This will set the area for your block}

model

• Often this will be the same size as your

_{Often this will be the same size as your}

project area

• _{But what if the orebody is just a small}

_{But what if the orebody is just a small}

part of your project design area

• _{You could save a lot of space and speed if}

_{You could save a lot of space and speed if}

you only built a block model in your

orebody area.

(23)

I’m not doing a different size

block model

If I were I would need To check this box

I click to move on after Filling in the screen.

(24)

It Tells You Thanks and Indicates

it is starting to make your PCF

(25)

A Dos Window Opens and You

See Something Run

(26)

Then It Lays A Report on You as

it Proclaims Success

The report indicates what Your input was and how It used that information To lay out the PCF

(27)

MineSight Likes Putting Out

Reports on Everything

• _{Why Reports are important in Industry}

_{Why Reports are important in Industry}

• Fraud including fake mines have long been a

_{Fraud including fake mines have long been a}

problem

• Since most mining projects will enter investor

_{Since most mining projects will enter investor}

markets in some way laws have been devised to

try to suppress fraud

• The size of an ore reserve and how a mine is

_{The size of an ore reserve and how a mine is}

designed greatly influence project value

• Thus this work must be documented

_{Thus this work must be documented}

• _{Organizing and keeping copies of the reports}

_{Organizing and keeping copies of the reports}

MineSight keeps will help you meet

documenting requirements for the things you

do.

(28)

Next We Create Our Project File

(29)

To Create the File It Needs One

Piece of Info

Where is your project control File?

Your project control file has The 4 letter name you gave When you set it up and the Number 10.

I need to find a file called Demo10, click on it and then Click open.

(30)

MineSight Compass Comes Alive

(You have given it the PCF and Project files)

(31)

Now We Can Get Back to Our

Mission

• We wanted to create a gridded surface

_{We wanted to create a gridded surface}

model of our topography

• _{(ultimately we will use this file to create a}

_{(ultimately we will use this file to create a}

special gridded surface file for use by our

open pit mine creation algorithms)

(32)

Click on the Project Tab

Now Click to Open the Project File Editor

(33)

The Project File Editor Opens

Now click On the File

(34)

I Want to Create A New File

(35)

It Wants to Know What Kind

Lets see – If I want to create a Gridded Surface File or a GSF I bet that 13-GSF will work. Highlight it with the curser and Left click.

(36)

It Proposes to Create a File with

Just Information on Elevations

That’s right.

Just click the save Icon and you have Your file 13.

(37)

It Asks for a File Name

Suggest using 4 letter project ID And #13

(38)

It Pops Up a Success Message

(39)

Well You Have Your File 13 Sort

Of

• Its current weaknesses are

_{Its current weaknesses are}

• _{It contains no data}

_{It contains no data}

• _{And You Can’t See It}

_{And You Can’t See It}

• _{When Can Solve Both Problems at}

_{When Can Solve Both Problems at}

Once

• _{This is done by creating a Model View}

_{This is done by creating a Model View}

• _{A Model View is a Set of Instructions that}

_{A Model View is a Set of Instructions that}

Allows MineSights 3D Viewer to graphically

display the contents of a file

(40)

Create a Model View Using the

Data Manager

Pick the Directory

Right Click to drop down the menu Move the curser over new and when The side menu opens move the

Curser over model view and left Click.

(41)

It Asks You To Name the Model

View

Enter your name And then click ok

(42)

It Needs to Know Which File to

Use for the Model View

Block Model and

Gridded Surface Files Are not shown in the Data Manager, but They are listed in the Project Control File (PCF).

Thus the first thing you Must do is to identify The PCF

(43)

The PCF is a 4 Letter Name and

the Number 10

Usually the selection Is obvious

Click on the PCF Then Click Open

(44)

Now You Are Given a List of

Invisible File 13’s and 15’s in the

PCF

(45)

Clicking Will Cause the Chosen

File to Turn Blue

(46)

The Model View Editor Turns On

One of the first issues to be dealt with is which Number field in the file 13 (or file 15) to display. In our case there is only one field in the file 13 So it’s a non-issue. You can click on the blue List to get a drop down of all fields in the file That might be used for display

(47)

Until I Have Something In the File

My Display Set-Up is not too

Important

I will select a Geometry Object (ie my topography) to use in creating a Digital representation of the surface.

I start by picking the Geometry Tab and then the Red Box to search for my Geometry object.

(48)

Pick a Geometry Set

I can pick a set of geometry objects to use in coding my Gridded Surface. I will be allowed to name that set later.

At this point I am ready to select the geometry objects for my geometry set. Start the selection with clicking on the Red Dot Box.

(49)

Another Window Open

This is a picking window.

I click the red box (again) to go To a list of geometry objects.

(50)

I Pick My Topo Surface from a

Directory and Click Ok

(51)

Note That My Pick List Now

Contains a Geometry Object

If no list of object contents appears then Click the blue worm to make it appear

Now I can see what kinds of things Are in the geometry object and Pick the ones I want.

(52)

Pick and Click Ok

(53)

The Geometry Set Window

Activates

Note there is now a set of geometry Sets available to name

(the purpose of naming geometry Sets is to avoid the need to repick Things all over if you ever need this Set again)

I name the geometry set Click Save Set

(54)

The Model View Editor Now Has

a Geometry Set to Use In

Gridding the Surface

Click Grid

(It will then average elevation of little digital squares and Put the result into the file 13 GSF)

(55)

It Jumps to the Gridding Detail

Tab

_{(I could also have just picked this tab myself)}

The first thing I need to do is to say which variable in The file to send the result to. Pick the Blue list box for A list of variable names – there is only one in this file 13 So it will be a tough pick.

(56)

The Grid Button Lights Up

Click the Grid Button (there will normally be A short calculation delay as the program gets Average elevation in each grid square)

(57)

Now I Have Data In My File 13 I

Want to Control the Display

The little color box allows me to color code a range Of values – in this case elevation. Click on the Color code box.

(58)

The Color Coding Box Comes Up

I happen to know the topo is between about 6400 and 7500 feet so the default intevals are Dumb.

(59)

I’ll Put My Limits In the Intervals

Box and Click Ok

(60)

Now I Will Drag and Highlight the

Elevation Range to Color Code

I will then click color range to set the range Of colors.

(61)

I’ll Pick and Neon Color Range

If I wanted to use

Only part of the range I would click on the Color range editor. In this case I’m happy So I will click Ok

(62)

I Close Windows and Look at My

Surface

The elevation range Was less than I

Thought so I’m not Seeing a big range Of color.

(I could go back and Reset that if I

(63)

Our Story So Far

• We set up MineSight Compass with a

_{We set up MineSight Compass with a}

PCF and a Project File

• We created our basic gridded surface

_{We created our basic gridded surface}

file (GSF)

• _{We Gridded Our Topography Into It}

_{We Gridded Our Topography Into It}

• _{We Set Our Display.}

_{We Set Our Display.}

(64)

Thinking Ahead to Our Next

Move

• _{We will use our basic GSF to create a}

_{We will use our basic GSF to create a}

specialized GSF for use by Economic

Planner

• _{(We in this case will assume our}

_{(We in this case will assume our}

geologists have supplied us with a block

model).

• We will then tell Economic Planner to

_{We will then tell Economic Planner to}

Find Our Ultimate or Final Pit

• _{We will display that final pit.}

_{We will display that final pit.}

(65)

Getting the Special File 13

• _{You need an a special file 13 (gridded}

_{You need an a special file 13 (gridded}

surface file) that allows for multiple pit

surfaces and some control variables

• _{You need to have a file 15 (block model)}

_{You need to have a file 15 (block model)}

with extra-variables to store information

about block values and material destinations

• The pit generation routines will send material to

_{The pit generation routines will send material to}

various processing facilities.

(66)

Lets Start Out Getting That

Special File 13

Left Click the MineSight Tab To pull down The menu

On the pull down Menu left click “Compass” (this will start MineSight

Compass which Is a big collection Of programs for Doing stuff)

(67)

MineSight Compass Starts

Left Click on the “Project” Tab (This selects The project Screen in Compass) Left Click the Little folder open Icon to start

The project file editor

(68)

We Are Going to Create a New

File 13 with Extra Stuff in it

Left click file to Pull down the menu

Left click new to Select the

(69)

The Pop-Up Menu Wants to Know

What Kind of File We Will Create

Different types of Files have

Identifying numbers We want to create A file 13 (which Means the type Of file that Contains gridded Surface Information) Left click on 13 - GSF

(70)

We Now Tell it We Want a Special

GSF for MineSight Economic

Planner

Left click on the Little box for MS-EP GSF Note the Check mark That appears

(71)

It Needs to Know Where to Find

the Surface Initialization Data

Left click the

Little down arrow Beside the file Location area. A drop down Menu shows all Existing file 13s (this is why You needed to Have an existing File 13)

Select the existing File 13 for the

Unmined Surface.

(72)

Tell it Where the Current Topography

is in the File You Selected

From the down Arrow select Topog (or what Ever variable You stored Topo data in) As you can See it has

Now initialized Our special file 13 for MineSight Economic

Planner

Now click the Save icon to Save the file.

(73)

The Save Menu Comes Up to Ask You

What Name to Save the File Under

You are limited To 6 characters Before “.dat” And the last Two should be 13 so you and The program Can see it is a File 13. I named mine Opti13.dat Now I left click Save.

(74)

The Program Proclaims that the New File

has been listed in the Project Control File

This is a good Thing. Left Click ok.

(75)

Now Exit Out of Compass

Left click

File and from The pull down Menu select “Quit”

(76)

Making Sure Our Block Model is

Ready

• It already has our ore grades and rock

_{It already has our ore grades and rock}

items in

• _{But the routines we will use need to have}

_{But the routines we will use need to have}

some extra variables to store info in.

• One thought is why didn’t I fix the model

_{One thought is why didn’t I fix the model}

right to begin with

• Other reality is you will never foresee all

_{Other reality is you will never foresee all}

needs so lets just learn how to fix the

variable problem when it happens

(77)

To Open My Block Model Go to the

Data Manager and Select Block

Model

(78)

With Block Model Highlight Click

the Right Mouse Key

This will cause a Menu to pop up

Left Click the Open Option on the menu

(79)

The Block Model Shows Up

I am going to use The “Query”

Function to ask What variables Are in the model To do this I

Click on the little Question mark Icon.

(80)

A Dialog Box Opens at the Bottom and

Advises me to click on anything I want to

know about

Since all I want Is to know

What variables Are in the block Model I can Really click it anywhere I happened to Click it here

(81)

The Query Report Box Pops

Up

I’m going to check The variables in The block model. Since I’m a cool Person my model Already has the Key extra

Variables in it (yours will have Nothing below Value but yours Will look like this After you follow The next

(82)

Yes Your Poor Model Will Look

Like This

(83)

What MSOPT Wants

• The routine we will use to find the ultimate pit

_{The routine we will use to find the ultimate pit}

requires us have these variables in the model

• VALPB (the value of the block)

_{VALPB (the value of the block)}

• VALPT (the value per ton of material)

_{VALPT (the value per ton of material)}

• DEST1 (the destination for the material considering

_{DEST1 (the destination for the material considering}

break even economics)

• PUSH (the stage when a block is mined – if the

_{PUSH (the stage when a block is mined – if the}

model is working out a sequence)

• IPER (when the block is mined

_{IPER (when the block is mined}

• DEST2 (where the material is sent when the block

_{DEST2 (where the material is sent when the block}

was mined)

(84)

Open Compass and Pick the

Project Tab and Project Editor

Icon as before

(85)

The Project File Editor Opens

(86)

Pull Down the File Menu and

Select Clone

We are going to Make a copy of Our block model – Add the extract Variables to the Model and then Save it back to Our original block Model

We all know windows Has a thing about Saving to itself.

(87)

Clone From Your File 15 (a file 15

is a block model)

Pull down and Select from the Menu

Then click on the Clone button. Check Edit items

(88)

Type in the Extra Variables

Also enter minimum Maximum and precision Values as shown here

Left click the Save icon When you are done

(89)

It Will Want You to Name Your

File

This file is actually A temporary copied File I named mine 15cp15.dat (it’s a 15 meter Bench height Project, cp is for

Copy and the second 15 was so I would Always know this Was a file 15 (block Model)

Then I left click on Save

(90)

It Gives You a Jubilant Success

Message

(91)

Now We Are Going to Clone our

Added Variables File Back to the

Original

Pull down the file menu and Select Clone

Select our new file as the clone source But note I did not check the edit box This time.

(92)

It Asks You Where You Want to

Save the Result

Select the name of your Original block model (file 15) and hit save.

(93)

Since You Are About to Overwrite Your

Old File it Gives You Repeated Warnings

that your Children will be Born Naked if

you do this

(94)

You Have to Confirm that You Do

Intend to Overwrite

(95)

Now We Are Ready to Go!

We will use an Ultimate Pit Routine Called MSOPIT

Left Click the MineSight tab On the drop Down menu Choose MSEP (MineSight Economic Planner)

On the side menu Pick MSOPIT

(96)

Trouble Shooting Note

• If MineSight Economic Planner is

_{If MineSight Economic Planner is}

Grayed Out on the pull down tab there

is a problem with your computers

settings

• _{See the System Administrator for help}

_{See the System Administrator for help}

(your stuck until you do)

(97)

MineSight® Economic Planner

Comes Up to Help You With Your

Pit

(98)

Economic Planner is Mostly New

Routines

The Panel to the Side Shows you the Steps You Will be Lead

Through to get to your Pit design.

(Kind of a nice Change from the Wonderings we have Been doing not

Knowing for sure

Where we were going)

(99)

It Has Improved Help Facilities

Pull down the help Menu

Pick Panel help for An explanation

(100)

The Panel Help Gives an

Explanation of the Variables to be

Entered on the Screen

(101)

It Needs To Know Where Your

Block Model Is

You probably have Only one file

15 to choose from It needs your ore and Waste density

(ie water =1)

If we assume our Cu ore and waste Are about 141lb/ft^3 That’s 2.23 for both

(102)

You Identify the part of your block

model that is of mining interest

This would let You speed things Up by excluding Areas that don’t Have ore values

It also provides you With hints on the Number of rows, Columns and levels In your model in case You want to look at Everything.

It lets you specify what to do if it mines to the edge of the model (warning – the program cannot calculate stripping costs outsideThe model area)

(103)

Click on the Next Step When Its

Time to Move On

(104)

It Needs to Know About the

Surfaces File It Will Use

.

Click on the pull down arrow to See the available files.

It is critical that you select the Special file 13 you made for MSEP earlier (regular file 13s Don’t contain needed variables)

(105)

Trouble Shooting Note

• _{Sometimes when you hit the pull down}

_{Sometimes when you hit the pull down}

choice menu you don’t see the files you

expect

• You may not see the file 13 you just made

_{You may not see the file 13 you just made}

• _{MineSight® has the undesirable ability to}

_{MineSight® has the undesirable ability to}

get the graphics interface, MineSight

Compass, and MineSight Economic

Planner in different directories

(106)

If You Want to Make Sure You Are in the

Right Directory with Economic Planner

Click on the Options Heading And Pick Manage Variables From the pull down menu

(107)

The Manage Variables Screen

Comes Up

What you really want to see is if the Path leads to the right directory and Project file.

(If you are not being allowed to select Files you know you have this path Will probably not be pointing to the Right file)

(108)

Get Out Of MSOPIT and Go to

MineSight Compass

Remember – You are ONLY doing this

If you have MineSight Economic

Planner off in the wrong directory!

(If life is good and you don’t have this problem you Can skip the slides on fixing the problem)

(109)

In Compass Go to File and

Open

(110)

Work Around the Directories in Project

File to Find the Right Directory

This directory maneuvering works like Any other Windows based program.

(111)

Double Click the Correct

It Will Open and Show You the

Project File for that Directory

Left click to Pick it

Then click on Open

(113)

Getting Back From Our Detour

(If you had to take a Detour Restart

MSOPIT)

It needs to know where the starting Surface is located

(MSOPIT puts the unmined surface In pit #0 so we will almost always Be starting there)

Enter or accept the default value Of 0.

(114)

It Needs to Know About Things That

Would Limit Where it can put the pit

You can limit the Areas of the model Used to compute Earnings (no need to Do that now)

. You could tell it not to Mine below a certain Depth (no need to do

That now) _{You could designate surface areas that}

Must not be disturbed. (you would have

To put a code number into the surface file which We did not do)

Surface areas with the code number entered here Could not be disturbed.

(115)

Where A Plus Is By a File for the

Next Step Click on the Plus to

Expand the Folder

This of course Is very typical Windows rules

(116)

It Needs to Know How to Get the

Design Variable

Optimum Pits Come From Building the Biggest Profit

Our Block Model is Geologic and contains Geologic data

We can tell the program To calculate our earnings From the geology or

We can tell it we have Already put a dollar/ton Value on each block. (We don’t have values Pre-computed)

The interval is a report diagnostic tool – I’m putting in 5000 (you’ll see what it did later in a report)

(117)

It Needs to Know Which Variable

Tells it How Much of a Block is Made

of Rock

(Remember we do have air blocks above

the surface)

We don’t have to deal With more complex Optional items here Use the drop down Arrow to show you

A menu of choices and Pick the variable that Has the % rock in it (in your case it is Topo%)

(118)

Program Needs the Range of

Block Values and the Precision

You Require

Defaults here are Probably Ok

The Last Item

Cut-Off in Dollars/ton Needs a little more Explanation.

(It’s the cost

For removing the Worst junk and value Of your best block)

(119)

The Program Now Needs Costs

For Creating an Economic Block

Model from the Geologic

You can import these Parameters from

Another project or Export the values

You determine for use In later projects

(120)

It Needs to Know the Assay

Value to Track and Density of Ore

I’m going to look at Cu and Moly for Determining block value

I already have the Rock density picked

Remember the variable names are selected From a pull down menu.

(121)

Enter My Material Types

Many deposits have More than one type Of ore or perhaps An ore and waste A variable in the

Block model will have That code number In it.

It will usually be the Type variable which Your block model is Required to have.

(122)

But I Didn’t Ever Set Material

Codes in the Block Model!??

Thus the type variable Has nothing in it.

The next item asks for What to use as a

Default if no value is Found in the type Variable.

When I pick 1 this one Matches the table below And will have the

Computer calculate The value of each

Block using the formulas I will enter.

(123)

Enter My Material Types and

Where It Might Go

Since I have

Simple geology I Have Cu ore

If its high enough It goes to the Mill If not it is considered For leach

If not that good I will Just dump it

(Note I am putting Labels on my ore

(124)

If I Click on a Brown Box In the

Matrix it Will Activate My

Economic Input

Click Here

Note My Economic Input has come alive It wants to Know about Costs and Earnings Associated With ore it Sends to the mill

(125)

I Enter My Costs for the Mill

Route

$4.24/metric tonne to mill the ore and Make concentrates $3.25/tonne to mine (your costs may

(126)

Enter My Returns from Processing

If we figure the value of Cu in concentrates as $1.05 And value of Mo in concentrates as $4.00

89% recovery on The Cu

And 75% on the Mo

(127)

Where Did Those Numbers

Come From?

• _{Value of Cu in concentrate}

_{Value of Cu in concentrate}

• _{Value of metallic Cu (which you estimated from}

_{Value of metallic Cu (which you estimated from}

price history)

• _{Minus refining charge per lb}

_{Minus refining charge per lb}

• Minus smelting charge per lb/Cu

_{Minus smelting charge per lb/Cu}

• _{Minus transportation charge}

_{Minus transportation charge}

• Use cost per ton to transport to smelter_{Use cost per ton to transport to smelter}

• Use about 30% Cu in concentrates to get that on a per lb Use about 30% Cu in concentrates to get that on a per lb basis

basis

• This will leave you with value of Cu in

_{This will leave you with value of Cu in}

concentrates at the concentrator site.

(128)

Moly Value Similar

• Value per lb of Moly in Moly oxide

_{Value per lb of Moly in Moly oxide}

• Subtract roasting cost per lb

_{Subtract roasting cost per lb}

• Subtract out the transportation cost per lb

_{Subtract out the transportation cost per lb}

• Get the value per lb is sulfide concentrate at

_{Get the value per lb is sulfide concentrate at}

the mine site

• Where did the recovery values come from

_{Where did the recovery values come from}

• Typical recoveries from mineral processing

_{Typical recoveries from mineral processing}

handbooks and articles.

(129)

Enter the Factors and Click

Apply

Click apply when data entry is complete for this material and destination

Factors account for Prices in lbs,

Grades in percents Volumes in cubic Meters and costs in $/metric tonne

(130)

How Did You Get That Factor

(131)

It Now Declares it has part of the

Information Matrix Ready to Use

(132)

Input My Leach Ore Parameters

Mining Costs I Assumed constant Leach Cu Recovery is Lower (say 70%) I put in $1.15/lb For Cu since Electrowin is only About $0.15/lb I used $1.65 per

Metric Tonne for leach operations

(133)

Now I Input My Dump Parameters

Distinctive – no processing costs (unless you have a special dumping cost) With waste you Also will get no Recovery.

(134)

What Will the Computer Do With

This Stuff

• It will calculate the value of each block from its recoverable

_{It will calculate the value of each block from its recoverable}

metal content (or lack there-of)

• If the value is greater than the mining and processing cost the If the value is greater than the mining and processing cost the block will become a mining target and the model will look at what block will become a mining target and the model will look at what has to be moved to get it.

has to be moved to get it.

• If the block will cost more to mine and process than it will

_{If the block will cost more to mine and process than it will}

make then the block is not a mining target but it might still

be in the way of something that is.

• If the block has to be moved to get to something else the

_{If the block has to be moved to get to something else the}

computer will look at whether it has enough value to justify

processing

• If more than one process is available the model will look for

_{If more than one process is available the model will look for}

what ever gets the most net value of a block

(135)

Steps Not Required Remain

Grayed Out

(136)

Another Fast Way to Bring in

the Cost Matrix is to Import It

Click on Import

(Obviously somebody Has had to export

Their matrix sometime Previous)

(137)

Use the Directory to Find and

Open the Economics File

(138)

Hows that for a Slick Fast Result

(139)

We Now Deal With Overburden

Mining Costs

Some of our blocks Don’t even have A Cu or Mo grade Estimated to exist – These will be just In the way blocks What does it cost Us to mine them

Vs. Ore material that Does have a grade -I’m using a flat $3.25 Right now

(140)

Options We Are Not Using

Mining Costs actually Increase as we mine Deeper.

If we wanted to Include this detail We would check Off the box.

Then a grayed out Screen on mining Cost with depth Would come to life And we would have To fill it out.

(141)

A Quarry Option

Sometimes we Mine all of a top Bench and work Down a bench At a time. We can designate What portion of a Year it takes to Mine a bench (5 benches in a Year enter .2. 1 Bench every 5 Years enter 5 etc)

When you mine top down the future earnings will be discounted with time So you enter your discount rate for economic analysis

(142)

Next We Tell It About Our Pit

Slopes

I’m using a constant Slope with a

Minimum value of 57 degrees (like Cannanea Mex)

(143)

Slope Issues

• _{In Rock Mechanics You Learn about Slope Stability in}

_{In Rock Mechanics You Learn about Slope Stability in}

Open pits

• If an over-all pit slope daylights significant fracture patterns the

_{If an over-all pit slope daylights significant fracture patterns the}

whole side of the pit can slide in (potentially loosing you your

investment)

• _{In many cases it makes a difference which side of the pit}

_{In many cases it makes a difference which side of the pit}

• A fracture that could daylight near the toe of benches on one

_{A fracture that could daylight near the toe of benches on one}

side would be pointing up on the other side

• The program allows you to adjust pit slope by azimuth

_{The program allows you to adjust pit slope by azimuth}

• _{Sometimes different materials will support different slopes}

_{Sometimes different materials will support different slopes}

• Can enter complex slopes that depend on material type

_{Can enter complex slopes that depend on material type}

• Obviously material type would have to be coded into the block

_{Obviously material type would have to be coded into the block}

model

(144)

It Needs to Know the Numeric

Technique to Use to Find the

Largest Profit increasing Pit

This set determines Whether you are Doing ultimate pits Or nested pits

(right now we are After base ultimate Pit)

You Choose Between Floating Cone and Learch Grossman

(145)

The Pit Design Choice

• A floating cone picks a block – cones up and sees

_{A floating cone picks a block – cones up and sees}

whether the cone makes money.

• If it does it mines it

_{If it does it mines it}

• Simple Coding and Explanation

_{Simple Coding and Explanation}

• Considered a Heuristic trial and error approach

_{Considered a Heuristic trial and error approach}

• Lerch Grossman uses powerful math to solve a

_{Lerch Grossman uses powerful math to solve a}

transformed problem

• Much more computer intensive

_{Much more computer intensive}

• Can do some strange things at times

_{Can do some strange things at times}

• Is considered an analytical solution

_{Is considered an analytical solution}

(146)

I Picked Floating Cone for this

example

(its faster)

I could Specify a Minimum pit Bottom radius (real equipment Needs room to Work)

I’m not going to Impose that

(147)

Set the Area Where the Routine

Can Look for a Solution Pit

For an ultimate pit I can default on everything and give the entire block model Area as the place to look for a pit

(148)

Output Destination

I can also specify A limiting surface That the pit must Be within. (right now I am Going to default To the starting Topography (pit 0)

There are 50 storage bins – you can specify where you want to store your result (default is location 1 for the ultimate pit)

(149)

I Can Tell the Program to Save Me Some

Example Calculations on Specific Blocks

or Groups of Blocks (so I can check on it)

(150)

Give It My Output Preferences

I need to say were The program will Keep track of where Mined blocks were Sent. That’s were Those Dest1, Dest2 Variables come in. (I picked Dest1)

It needs to know where To store the value of A block. (That’s were Valpb comes in).

It also will keep track of The value per ton of Rock (That’s were the Valpt variable comes in)

(151)

Specifying Output Files

Name of the Run

Output file will Be called

Rptopt. What ever You put here

(152)

Prepare to Run the Procedure

Pull down the file Menu

Select Run Procedure From menu

(153)

The Procedure Runs

(154)

There is your report extension

name and the name you gave the

run

(155)

You Can Check to Make Sure

Key Inputs Read in Correctly

Mining Cost Pit Slope Density Minimum and Maximum Value Cut-off Value Per ton

(156)

You Can Check Your Key Metal

prices and recoveries

(157)

Remember that $5000 Spacing I

Entered?

Here is an Output table Showing how Many blocks In each value Range were Found.

(If you get

Really strange Answers this Is a place to Look and see If things make Sense)