Computer Aided Design of an Computer Aided Design of an Open PitOpen Pit

©2007 Dr. B. C. Paul©2007 Dr. B. C. Paul

MineSight Begins By Asking you For MineSight Begins By Asking you For View Areas and Block DimensionsView Areas and Block Dimensions

You must have an ideaOf what the coordinatesAre for your ore bodyAnd what units becauseYou have to specifyProject limits.

You also need to haveAn idea of block size.

The Block Size InteractionThe Block Size Interaction

Splitting blocks with benches is a mathematical complexitySplitting blocks with benches is a mathematical complexity Try to make block height correspond to bench heightTry to make block height correspond to bench height

– Bench height is related to equipment sizeBench height is related to equipment size Shovels have to be able to dig to top of benchShovels 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 benchesvertical selection you need shorter benches

– Taller benches usually more economicTaller benches usually more economic Fewer levels to maintainFewer levels to maintain Larger drills and more drill hole spacingLarger drills and more drill hole spacing

We Will Get Our Surface We Will Get Our Surface Topography Set UpTopography Set Up

This may involveDigitizing orImporting fromAn Autocad orSimilar digital fileOf the contours

(I am not showing you enough about MineSight to do this part)

Create A 3D Surface from the TopoCreate A 3D Surface from the Topo

Load Your Assay and Drill Hole Data Load Your Assay and Drill Hole Data into the Programinto the Program

Composite Samples to Bench HeightComposite Samples to Bench Height

Use Chosen Interpolation Routine to Use Chosen Interpolation Routine to Estimate Block Grades in ModelEstimate Block Grades in Model

Where We Are AtWhere We Are At

We Have a Geologic Block ModelWe Have a Geologic Block Model– We have Geologic reserves and grade and We have Geologic reserves and grade and

tonnagetonnage Common Procedure is to Find Out How Common Procedure is to Find Out How

Much is Economically Minable given the Much is Economically Minable given the overburdenoverburden– This is done with a computer routine that tries to This is done with a computer routine that tries to

select the largest set of blocks that keeps select the largest set of blocks that keeps adding to the pits valueadding to the pits value

– This is where we go nextThis is where we go next

Start MineSight® 3DStart MineSight® 3D

Browse to the315 file areaOn the server

Preparing Files to Receive DataPreparing Files to Receive Data

The Pit Optimization Procedures We Will The Pit Optimization Procedures We Will Use Require Specialized Places to Store Use Require Specialized Places to Store InformationInformation– They must follow naming conventions used by They must follow naming conventions used by

the computer codesthe computer codes– The program therefore contains file initiation The program therefore contains file initiation

routines to ready files for that purposeroutines to ready files for that purpose

What Is RequiredWhat Is Required

You Must Have a Gridded Surface Model of You Must Have a Gridded Surface Model of Your Current TopographyYour Current Topography

You Must Use Minesight Compass Routines You Must Use Minesight Compass Routines for setting up the filesfor setting up the files

What You Will Do to PrepareWhat You Will Do to Prepare

You need an a special file 13 (gridded You need an a special file 13 (gridded surface file) that allows for multiple pit surface file) that allows for multiple pit surfaces and some control variablessurfaces 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 with extra-variables to store information about block values and material destinationsabout block values and material destinations– The pit generation routines will send material to The pit generation routines will send material to

various processing facilities.various processing facilities.

Lets Start Out Getting That Special Lets Start Out Getting That Special File 13File 13

Left Click theMineSight TabTo pull downThe menu

On the pull downMenu left click“Compass”(this will startMineSightCompass whichIs a big collectionOf programs forDoing stuff)

MineSight Compass StartsMineSight Compass Starts

Left Click on the“Project” Tab(This selectsThe projectScreen inCompass)

Left Click theLittle folder openIcon to startThe project fileeditor

We Are Going to Create a NewWe Are Going to Create a NewFile 13 with Extra Stuff in itFile 13 with Extra Stuff in it

Left click file toPull down themenu

Left click new toSelect thenew file option.

The Pop-Up Menu Wants to Know The Pop-Up Menu Wants to Know What Kind of File We Will CreateWhat Kind of File We Will Create

Different types ofFiles haveIdentifying numbers

We want to createA file 13 (whichMeans the typeOf file thatContains griddedSurfaceInformation)

Left click on13 - GSF

We Now Tell it We Want a Special GSF We Now Tell it We Want a Special GSF for MineSight Economic Plannerfor MineSight Economic Planner

Left click on theLittle box forMS-EP GSF

Note theCheck markThat appears

It Needs to Know Where to Find the It Needs to Know Where to Find the Surface Initialization DataSurface Initialization Data

Left click theLittle down arrowBeside the fileLocation area.A drop downMenu shows allExisting file13s (this is whyYou needed toHave an existingFile 13)

Select the existingFile 13 for theUnminedSurface.

Tell it Where the Current Tell it Where the Current Topography is in the File You Topography is in the File You

SelectedSelectedFrom the downArrow selectTopog (or whatEver variableYou storedTopo data in)

As you canSee it hasNow initializedOur special file13 for MineSightEconomicPlanner

Now click theSave icon toSave the file.

The Save Menu Comes Up to Ask You The Save Menu Comes Up to Ask You What Name to Save the File UnderWhat Name to Save the File Under

You are limitedTo 6 charactersBefore “.dat”And the lastTwo should be13 so you andThe programCan see it is aFile 13.

I named mineOpti13.dat

Now I left clickSave.

The Program Proclaims that the New The Program Proclaims that the New File has been listed in the Project File has been listed in the Project

Control FileControl File

This is a goodThing. LeftClick ok.

Now Exit Out of CompassNow Exit Out of Compass

Left clickFile and fromThe pull downMenu select“Quit”

Making Sure Our Block Model is Making Sure Our Block Model is ReadyReady

It already has our ore grades and rock items It already has our ore grades and rock items inin

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.some extra variables to store info in.– One thought is why didn’t I fix the model right to One thought is why didn’t I fix the model right to

begin withbegin with– Other reality is you will never foresee all needs Other reality is you will never foresee all needs

so lets just learn how to fix the variable problem so lets just learn how to fix the variable problem when it happenswhen it happens

To Open My Block Model Go to the Data To Open My Block Model Go to the Data Manager and Select Block ModelManager and Select Block Model

With Block Model Highlight Click the With Block Model Highlight Click the Right Mouse KeyRight Mouse Key

This will cause aMenu to pop up

Left Click the OpenOption on the menu

The Block Model Shows UpThe Block Model Shows Up

I am going to useThe “Query”Function to askWhat variablesAre in the model

To do this IClick on the littleQuestion markIcon.

A Dialog Box Opens at the Bottom and A Dialog Box Opens at the Bottom and Advises me to click on anything I want to Advises me to click on anything I want to

know aboutknow aboutSince all I wantIs to knowWhat variablesAre in the blockModel I canReally click itanywhere

I happened toClick it here

The Query Report Box Pops UpThe Query Report Box Pops Up

I’m going to checkThe variables inThe block model.

Since I’m a coolPerson my modelAlready has theKey extraVariables in it(yours will haveNothing belowValue but yoursWill look like thisAfter you followThe nextInstructions)

Yes Your Poor Model Will Look Like Yes Your Poor Model Will Look Like ThisThis

What MSOPT WantsWhat 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 modelrequires 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)break even economics)– PUSH (the stage when a block is mined – if the model PUSH (the stage when a block is mined – if the model

is working out a sequence)is working out a sequence)– IPER (when the block is minedIPER (when the block is mined– DEST2 (where the material is sent when the block was DEST2 (where the material is sent when the block was

mined)mined)

Open Compass and Pick the Project Open Compass and Pick the Project Tab and Project Editor Icon as Tab and Project Editor Icon as

beforebefore

The Project File Editor OpensThe Project File Editor Opens

Pull Down the File Menu and Select Pull Down the File Menu and Select CloneClone

We are going toMake a copy ofOur block model –Add the extractVariables to theModel and thenSave it back toOur original blockModel

We all know windowsHas a thing aboutSaving to itself.

Clone From Your File 15 (a file 15 is Clone From Your File 15 (a file 15 is a block model)a block model)

Pull down andSelect from theMenu

Then click on theClone button.

Check Edit items

Type in the Extra VariablesType in the Extra Variables

Also enter minimumMaximum and precisionValues as shown here

Left click theSave iconWhen you aredone

It Will Want You to Name Your FileIt Will Want You to Name Your File

This file is actuallyA temporary copiedFile

I named mine15cp15.dat(it’s a 15 meterBench heightProject, cp is forCopy and the second15 was so I wouldAlways know thisWas a file 15 (blockModel)

Then I left click onSave

It Gives You a Jubilant Success It Gives You a Jubilant Success MessageMessage

Now We Are Going to Clone our Now We Are Going to Clone our Added Variables File Back to the Added Variables File Back to the

OriginalOriginal

Pull down the file menu andSelect Clone

Select our new file as the clone sourceBut note I did not check the edit boxThis time.

Then hit save.

It Asks You Where You Want to It Asks You Where You Want to Save the ResultSave the Result

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

Since You Are About to Overwrite Your Old Since You Are About to Overwrite Your Old File it Gives You Repeated Warnings that File it Gives You Repeated Warnings that

your Children will be Born Naked if you do thisyour Children will be Born Naked if you do this

You Have to Confirm that You Do You Have to Confirm that You Do Intend to OverwriteIntend to Overwrite

Now We Are Ready to Go!Now We Are Ready to Go!

We will use anUltimate PitRoutine CalledMSOPIT

Left Click theMineSight tab

On the dropDown menuChoose MSEP(MineSightEconomicPlanner)

On the side menuPick MSOPIT

Trouble Shooting NoteTrouble Shooting Note

If MineSight Economic Planner is Grayed If MineSight Economic Planner is Grayed Out on the pull down tab there is a problem Out on the pull down tab there is a problem with your computers settingswith your computers settings– See the System Administrator for help (your See the System Administrator for help (your

stuck until you do)stuck until you do)

MineSight® Economic Planner MineSight® Economic Planner Comes Up to Help You With Your PitComes Up to Help You With Your Pit

Economic Planner is Mostly New Economic Planner is Mostly New RoutinesRoutines

The Panel to the SideShows you the StepsYou Will be LeadThrough to get to yourPit design.

(Kind of a niceChange from theWonderings we haveBeen doing notKnowing for sureWhere we were going)

Right Hand Side has input panels it needs

It Has Improved Help FacilitiesIt Has Improved Help Facilities

Pull down the helpMenu

Pick Panel help forAn explanationOf each panel entry

The Panel Help Gives an The Panel Help Gives an Explanation of the Variables to be Explanation of the Variables to be

Entered on the ScreenEntered on the Screen

It Needs To Know Where Your Block It Needs To Know Where Your Block Model IsModel Is

You probably haveOnly one file15 to choose from

It needs your ore andWaste density(ie water =1)

If we assume ourCu ore and wasteAre about 141lb/ft^3That’s 2.23 for both

You Identify the part of your block You Identify the part of your block model that is of mining interestmodel that is of mining interest

This would letYou speed thingsUp by excludingAreas that don’tHave ore values

It also provides youWith hints on theNumber of rows,Columns and levelsIn your model in caseYou want to look atEverything.

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)

Click on the Next Step When Its Click on the Next Step When Its Time to Move OnTime to Move On

It Needs to Know About the Surfaces It Needs to Know About the Surfaces File It Will UseFile It Will Use

.

Click on the pull down arrow toSee the available files.It is critical that you select theSpecial file 13 you made forMSEP earlier (regular file 13sDon’t contain needed variables)

Trouble Shooting NoteTrouble 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 choice menu you don’t see the files you expectexpect– You may not see the file 13 you just madeYou 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 get the graphics interface, MineSight Compass, and MineSight Economic Planner Compass, and MineSight Economic Planner in different directoriesin different directories– How this could happen is not well understoodHow this could happen is not well understood

If You Want to Make Sure You Are in the If You Want to Make Sure You Are in the Right Directory with Economic PlannerRight Directory with Economic Planner

Click on the Options HeadingAnd Pick Manage VariablesFrom the pull down menu

The Manage Variables Screen The Manage Variables Screen Comes UpComes Up

What you really want to see is if thePath leads to the right directory andProject file.(If you are not being allowed to selectFiles you know you have this pathWill probably not be pointing to theRight file)

If you find your in the wrong place – the next slides will help you fix it

Get Out Of MSOPIT and Go to Get Out Of MSOPIT and Go to MineSight CompassMineSight Compass

Remember – You are only doing thisIf you have MineSight EconomicPlanner off in the wrong directory!(If life is good and you don’t have this problem youCan skip the slides on fixing the problem)

In Compass Go to File and OpenIn Compass Go to File and Open

Work Around the Directories in Project Work Around the Directories in Project File to Find the Right DirectoryFile to Find the Right Directory

This directory maneuvering works likeAny other Windows based program.

Double Click the Correct DirectoryDouble Click the Correct Directory

It Will Open and Show You the It Will Open and Show You the Project File for that DirectoryProject File for that Directory

Left click toPick it

Then click onOpen

Getting Back From Our DetourGetting Back From Our Detour(If you had to take a Detour Restart MSOPIT)(If you had to take a Detour Restart MSOPIT)

It needs to know where the startingSurface is located(MSOPIT puts the unmined surfaceIn pit #0 so we will almost alwaysBe starting there)

Enter or accept the default valueOf 0.

It Needs to Know About Things That It Needs to Know About Things That Would Limit Where it can put the pitWould Limit Where it can put the pit

You can limit theAreas of the modelUsed to computeEarnings (no need toDo that now)

.

You could tell it not toMine below a certainDepth (no need to doThat now) You could designate surface areas that

Must not be disturbed. (you would haveTo put a code number into the surface file whichWe did not do)Surface areas with the code number entered hereCould not be disturbed.

Where A Plus Is By a File for the Where A Plus Is By a File for the Next Step Click on the Plus to Next Step Click on the Plus to

Expand the FolderExpand the Folder

This of courseIs very typicalWindows rules

It Needs to Know How to Get the It Needs to Know How to Get the Design VariableDesign Variable

Optimum Pits ComeFrom Building theBiggest Profit

Our Block Model isGeologic and containsGeologic data

We can tell the programTo calculate our earningsFrom the geology orWe can tell it we haveAlready put a dollar/tonValue on each block.(We don’t have valuesPre-computed)

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

It Needs to Know Which Variable Tells it It Needs to Know Which Variable Tells it How Much of a Block is Made of RockHow Much of a Block is Made of Rock

(Remember we do have air blocks above the surface)(Remember we do have air blocks above the surface)

We don’t have to dealWith more complexOptional items here

Use the drop downArrow to show youA menu of choices andPick the variable thatHas the % rock in it(in your case it isTopo%)

Program Needs the Range of Block Program Needs the Range of Block Values and the Precision You Values and the Precision You

RequireRequire

Defaults here areProbably Ok

The Last ItemCut-Off in Dollars/tonNeeds a little moreExplanation.

(It’s the costFor removing theWorst junk and valueOf your best block)

Default here is ok.

Cut-Off In Dollars Per TonCut-Off In Dollars Per Ton

We are used to thinking of Cut-Off Grades – We are used to thinking of Cut-Off Grades – an amount of Cu necessary to pay the billsan amount of Cu necessary to pay the bills

To the computer model any block is a To the computer model any block is a candidate for removal if needed to forward a candidate for removal if needed to forward a maximum profitmaximum profit– There is a certain cost that will be incurred to There is a certain cost that will be incurred to

move a blockmove a block

What of the Block That Can’t Pay Its What of the Block That Can’t Pay Its WayWay

Suppose a Block would cost $7 to make into a Cu and Suppose a Block would cost $7 to make into a Cu and Moly oxide productMoly oxide product– Suppose that $3.25 in mining cost and $3.75 is the cost for Suppose that $3.25 in mining cost and $3.75 is the cost for

downstream processingdownstream processing– Suppose the Cu and Mo in that block are worth $5.25 at the Suppose the Cu and Mo in that block are worth $5.25 at the

market.market. Clearly the block is below break even COV and would likely be a negative Clearly the block is below break even COV and would likely be a negative

valuevalue Suppose we have to mine to the block to get to good stuffSuppose we have to mine to the block to get to good stuff

– We now have $3.25 into the blockWe now have $3.25 into the block– The stuff in it is worth $5.25 but to process the value out of it will The stuff in it is worth $5.25 but to process the value out of it will

cost $3.75cost $3.75 Will You Refuse to Process the Ore and take $1.50?Will You Refuse to Process the Ore and take $1.50?

PointPoint

Break-Even COV may determine what Break-Even COV may determine what blocks are ore mining targetsblocks are ore mining targets

What happens to ore after it has been mined What happens to ore after it has been mined depends on what it is worth compared to depends on what it is worth compared to down stream processes.down stream processes.– Obviously I’m not going to throw away $1.50 Obviously I’m not going to throw away $1.50

because I’m having a tantrum about my $3.25 because I’m having a tantrum about my $3.25 mining costmining cost

How to Implement ThisHow to Implement This

What will determine the fate of a removed What will determine the fate of a removed blockblock– Cost of down stream processingCost of down stream processing– Any extra cost to take it to processing vs. wasteAny extra cost to take it to processing vs. waste

The computer will define any block which The computer will define any block which cannot pay downstream processing costs as cannot pay downstream processing costs as wastewaste– We need to enter the minimum cost for treating We need to enter the minimum cost for treating

a block as something other than overburden a block as something other than overburden wastewaste

Enter the $/ton cost for Downstream Enter the $/ton cost for Downstream Processing as OreProcessing as Ore

My best dealWould be toLeach it

Leaching CostsLeaching Costs

Suppose that Leach Cu costs me aboutSuppose that Leach Cu costs me about– 65 cents/lb to mine Cu65 cents/lb to mine Cu– 30 cents/lb Cu to run pumps and pads30 cents/lb Cu to run pumps and pads– 10 cents/lb SX-EW10 cents/lb SX-EW

Not in a form to get me cost/ton for processingNot in a form to get me cost/ton for processing– However I can try a ratioHowever I can try a ratio

Mining is about $3.25/tonMining is about $3.25/ton 30/65 = X/3.2530/65 = X/3.25

– X= about $1.5/tonX= about $1.5/ton– If the block is not worth $1.5/ton it won’t pay to process it If the block is not worth $1.5/ton it won’t pay to process it

(about $1.65/metric tonne).(about $1.65/metric tonne).– I can classify it as waste and stop doing economic I can classify it as waste and stop doing economic

calculations on it.calculations on it.

The Case for LeachingThe Case for Leaching

It is possible that below BECOV the ore will It is possible that below BECOV the ore will go to leachgo to leach– If you leach your down stream process cost will If you leach your down stream process cost will

be lessbe less– But you will loose all of your moly and part of But you will loose all of your moly and part of

your Cuyour Cu You need to evaluate which will be more You need to evaluate which will be more

profitable – you might go with leachingprofitable – you might go with leaching– This would of course mean a different down This would of course mean a different down

stream process cost.stream process cost.

The Program Now Needs Costs For The Program Now Needs Costs For Creating an Economic Block Model Creating an Economic Block Model

from the Geologicfrom the GeologicYou can import theseParameters fromAnother project orExport the valuesYou determine for useIn later projects

It Needs to Know the Assay Value to It Needs to Know the Assay Value to Track and Density of OreTrack and Density of Ore

I’m going to look atCu and Moly forDetermining blockvalue

I already have theRock density picked

Remember the variable names are selectedFrom a pull down menu.

Enter My Material TypesEnter My Material Types

Many deposits haveMore than one typeOf ore or perhapsAn ore and waste

A variable in theBlock model will haveThat code numberIn it.

It will usually be theType variable whichYour block model isRequired to have.

But I Didn’t Ever Set Material Codes But I Didn’t Ever Set Material Codes in the Block Model!??in the Block Model!??

Thus the type variableHas nothing in it.

The next item asks forWhat to use as aDefault if no value isFound in the typeVariable.

When I pick 1 this oneMatches the table belowAnd will have theComputer calculateThe value of eachBlock using the formulasI will enter.

Enter My Material Types and Where Enter My Material Types and Where It Might GoIt Might Go

Since I haveSimple geology IHave Cu ore

If its high enoughIt goes to the Mill

If not it is consideredFor leach

If not that good I willJust dump it

(Note I am puttingLabels on my oreTypes and destinations)

If I Click on a Brown Box In the If I Click on a Brown Box In the Matrix it Will Activate My Economic Matrix it Will Activate My Economic

InputInput

Click Here

Note My Economic Input has come alive

It wants toKnow aboutCosts andEarningsAssociatedWith ore itSends to themill

I Enter My Costs for the Mill I Enter My Costs for the Mill RouteRoute

$4.24/metric tonne to mill the ore and Make concentrates

$3.25/tonne to mine

(your costs mayBe different)

Enter My Returns from Enter My Returns from ProcessingProcessing

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

89% recovery onThe Cu

And 75% on theMo

Where Did Those Numbers Come Where Did Those Numbers Come From?From?

Value of Cu in concentrateValue of Cu in concentrate– Value of metallic Cu (which you estimated from Value of metallic Cu (which you estimated from

price history)price history) Minus refining charge per lbMinus refining charge per lb Minus smelting charge per lb/CuMinus smelting charge per lb/Cu Minus transportation chargeMinus transportation charge

– Use cost per ton to transport to smelterUse 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

basisbasis

– This will leave you with value of Cu in This will leave you with value of Cu in concentrates at the concentrator site.concentrates at the concentrator site.

Moly Value SimilarMoly Value Similar

Value per lb of Moly in Moly oxideValue per lb of Moly in Moly oxide– Subtract roasting cost per lbSubtract roasting cost per lb– Subtract out the transportation cost per lbSubtract out the transportation cost per lb– Get the value per lb is sulfide concentrate at the Get the value per lb is sulfide concentrate at the

mine sitemine site

Where did the recovery values come fromWhere did the recovery values come from– Typical recoveries from mineral processing Typical recoveries from mineral processing

handbooks and articles.handbooks and articles.

Enter the Factors and Click ApplyEnter the Factors and Click Apply

Click apply when data entry is complete for this material anddestination

Factors account forPrices in lbs,Grades in percentsVolumes in cubicMeters and costs in$/metric tonne

How Did You Get That FactorHow Did You Get That Factor

net value/ ton= (x/100)*22046.03lbs/ton (metric) * ($/lb) where, $/lb is the price of the cu

It Now Declares it has part of the It Now Declares it has part of the Information Matrix Ready to UseInformation Matrix Ready to Use

We now click our leach ore

Input My Leach Ore ParametersInput My Leach Ore Parameters

Mining Costs I Assumedconstant

Leach Cu Recovery isLower (say 70%)

I put in $1.15/lbFor Cu sinceElectrowin is onlyAbout $0.15/lb

I used $1.65 perMetric Tonne for leachoperations

I assumed no moly recovery

Now I Input My Dump Now I Input My Dump ParametersParameters

Distinctive – no processing costs (unless you have a special dumping cost)

With waste youAlso will get noRecovery.

What Will the Computer Do With What Will the Computer Do With This StuffThis 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)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 block will become a mining target and the model will look at what has to be moved to get it.what 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 make then the block is not a mining target but it might still be in the way of something that is.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 computer will look at whether it has enough value to justify processingprocessing

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 blockwhat ever gets the most net value of a block

Steps Not Required Remain Grayed Steps Not Required Remain Grayed OutOut

We Now Deal With Overburden We Now Deal With Overburden Mining CostsMining Costs

Some of our blocksDon’t even haveA Cu or Mo gradeEstimated to exist –These will be justIn the way blocksWhat does it costUs to mine them

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

Options We Are Not UsingOptions We Are Not Using

Mining Costs actuallyIncrease as we mineDeeper.

If we wanted toInclude this detailWe would checkOff the box.

Then a grayed outScreen on miningCost with depthWould come to lifeAnd we would haveTo fill it out.

A Quarry OptionA Quarry OptionSometimes weMine all of a topBench and workDown a benchAt a time.

We can designateWhat portion of aYear it takes toMine a bench(5 benches in aYear enter .2. 1Bench every 5 Years enter 5 etc)

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

Next We Tell It About Our Pit Next We Tell It About Our Pit SlopesSlopes

I’m using a constantSlope with aMinimum value of57 degrees (likeCannanea Mex)

Slope IssuesSlope Issues In Rock Mechanics You Learn about Slope Stability in In Rock Mechanics You Learn about Slope Stability in

Open pitsOpen pits– If an over-all pit slope daylights significant fracture patterns If an over-all pit slope daylights significant fracture patterns

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

In many cases it makes a difference which side of the pitIn 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 sideside would be pointing up on the other side– The program allows you to adjust pit slope by azimuthThe program allows you to adjust pit slope by azimuth

Sometimes different materials will support different Sometimes different materials will support different slopesslopes– Can enter complex slopes that depend on material typeCan enter complex slopes that depend on material type– Obviously material type would have to be coded into the Obviously material type would have to be coded into the

block modelblock model

It Needs to Know the Numeric It Needs to Know the Numeric Technique to Use to Find the Technique to Use to Find the Largest Profit increasing PitLargest Profit increasing Pit

This set determinesWhether you areDoing ultimate pitsOr nested pits(right now we areAfter base ultimatePit)

You Choose BetweenFloating Cone andLearch Grossman

The Pit Design ChoiceThe 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.whether the cone makes money.– If it does it mines itIf it does it mines it– Simple Coding and ExplanationSimple Coding and Explanation– Considered a Heuristic trial and error approachConsidered a Heuristic trial and error approach

Lerch Grossman uses powerful math to solve a Lerch Grossman uses powerful math to solve a transformed problemtransformed problem– Much more computer intensiveMuch more computer intensive– Can do some strange things at timesCan do some strange things at times– Is considered an analytical solutionIs considered an analytical solution

I Picked Floating Cone for this I Picked Floating Cone for this example example (its faster)(its faster)

I couldSpecify aMinimum pitBottom radius(real equipmentNeeds room toWork)

I’m not going toImpose thatDetail right now.

Set the Area Where the Routine Can Set the Area Where the Routine Can Look for a Solution PitLook for a Solution Pit

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

Output DestinationOutput DestinationI can also specifyA limiting surfaceThat the pit mustBe within.(right now I amGoing to defaultTo the startingTopography(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)

I Can Tell the Program to Save Me Some I Can Tell the Program to Save Me Some Example Calculations on Specific Blocks or Example Calculations on Specific Blocks or

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

Right now I’m not going to audit.

Give It My Output PreferencesGive It My Output Preferences

I need to say wereThe program willKeep track of whereMined blocks wereSent. That’s wereThose Dest1, Dest2Variables come in.(I picked Dest1)

It needs to know whereTo store the value ofA block. (That’s wereValpb comes in).

It also will keep track ofThe value per ton ofRock (That’s were theValpt variable comes in)

Specifying Output FilesSpecifying Output Files

Name of theRun

Output file willBe calledRptopt. What everYou put here

Prepare to Run the ProcedurePrepare to Run the Procedure

Pull down the fileMenu

Select Run ProcedureFrom menu

The Procedure RunsThe Procedure Runs

This can take just a little while

There is your report extension name There is your report extension name and the name you gave the runand the name you gave the run

You Can Check to Make Sure Key You Can Check to Make Sure Key Inputs Read in CorrectlyInputs Read in Correctly

Mining Cost

Pit Slope

Density

Minimum andMaximumValue

Cut-off ValuePer ton

You Can Check Your Key Metal You Can Check Your Key Metal prices and recoveriesprices and recoveries

Remember that $5000 Spacing I Remember that $5000 Spacing I Entered?Entered?

Here is anOutput tableShowing howMany blocksIn each valueRange wereFound.(If you getReally strangeAnswers thisIs a place toLook and seeIf things makeSense)

This is a Very Crucial TableThis is a Very Crucial Table

It showsBlocks goingTo the mill,The leach,And the dumpAnd what theAverageGrade was(if you haveMined blocksDelivered toDestinationsIt at leastReally ran)

Here is the Over-All Money We Here is the Over-All Money We Made and SpentMade and Spent

Oh Yes and the Precious Bottom Oh Yes and the Precious Bottom LineLine

Now We Want to See a Picture of Now We Want to See a Picture of Our Lovely PitOur Lovely Pit

Highlight wereYou want to putThe “modelViews”

Now Lets Create a New Model View Now Lets Create a New Model View to Display Our Handy-work.to Display Our Handy-work.

Pull down the FileTab and pickNew

On the pop-outMenu pick ModelView

Name Your Model ViewName Your Model View

I thought Ultimate Pit was a good name for the view of my ultimate pit

Link it to Your Project Control Link it to Your Project Control FileFile

Pick Your File to DisplayPick Your File to Display

For me that will be Opti13.dat (that’s where I put my new pit surface)

It Gives Me an Opportunity to It Gives Me an Opportunity to Initialize Multiple Model ViewsInitialize Multiple Model Views

It useful to haveSeparate“layers you can haveFor a stagedMining out of a Pit

I’m going to pick yes

Set My Model Views Checking Off Set My Model Views Checking Off What I Want to be Able to SeeWhat I Want to be Able to See

I couldGive themSpecialNames ifI wanted to

The New Views Appear in the Data The New Views Appear in the Data ManagerManager

Now Turn On Ultimate Pit 1 to See Now Turn On Ultimate Pit 1 to See How Far the Ultimate Pit WentHow Far the Ultimate Pit Went

Can Turn On Initial Topog to Get an Can Turn On Initial Topog to Get an Idea of Where Our Cuts Effected.Idea of Where Our Cuts Effected.

Of Course We Can Use Cut-Offs to Of Course We Can Use Cut-Offs to Make the View less Gray and DrearyMake the View less Gray and Dreary

On the Cut-Off Menu Select On the Cut-Off Menu Select IntervalsIntervals

We will probably set intervals to bench heights

Set My Vertical Range and Bench Set My Vertical Range and Bench Height and Then Ok ThingsHeight and Then Ok Things

Select the Entire Range and Click Select the Entire Range and Click PropertiesProperties

Pick Set Color By RangePick Set Color By Range

Now Hows That For Ultimate Now Hows That For Ultimate Cool!Cool!