Block Modelling

Copyright 2011 Gemcom Software International Inc.
(Gemcom)
All rights reserved. Gemcom publishes this documentation for the sole use of Gemcom
licensees.
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at
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While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, neither the authors
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Gemcom Software International Inc., Gemcom, the Gemcom logo, combinations thereof, and
GEMS, Surpac, Minex, Whittle, Gemcom InSite, Gemcom Hub, and PCBC are trademarks of
Gemcom Software International Inc. or its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Product
Surpac 6.2
Table of Contents
Introduction
Overview
Requirements
Workflow
Block Modelling Concepts
Model Space
Blocks and Attributes
Constraints
Estimation
10
Setup for This Tutorial

Setting the Work Directory
11
11
Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows XP)
11
Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows Vista)
12
Displaying the Toolbar and Menubar

Task: Display the Block Modelling Toolbar and Menubar
Creating a Block Model
Create a Block Model
Task: Create a Block Model
Creating Model Attributes
Create Model Attributes
13
13
14
14
14
22
22
Task: Create Model Attributes
22
Constraints Within a Block Model
25
Applying Constraints to a Block Model

Task: Apply Constraints to a Block Model
Estimation or Filling the Block Model
Assign Value
Task: Fill the Block Model Using Assign Value
Nearest Neighbour
Task: Fill the BIF Zone Using Nearest Neighbour
Inverse Distance
Task: Fill the Sand Zone Using Inverse Distance
Ordinary Kriging
Task: Fill the QPY Zone Using Ordinary Kriging
Block Model Reporting
Block Model Report
Task: Create a Block Model Report
Creating Calculated Attributes
Task: Create Calculated Attributes
25
26
30
30
30
34
34
40
40
44
44
52
52
52
56
56
P
ar
ti
al
Percentage Reporting
Partial percent reporting from the block model report
Task: Report partial percent using geometric grouping in the block model
report
Simple Partial Percent Reporting
Task: Create Partial Percentage Report
Model Reblocking
Model Reblocking
Task: Perform Model Reblocking
Column Processing
Workflow
Viewing the Data
Task: View the Data
Classify Blocks
Task: Classify Blocks into Ore and Waste
Reduction and Dilution
Task: Calculate Dilution & Reduction
Recoverable Product
Task: Calculate Recoverable Product
Thicknesses
Task: Calculate Column Thickness
60
60
60
62
62
70
70
70
72
72
73
73
78
78
91
91
93
93
103
103
Introduction
Introduction
Overview
By working through the examples in this tutorial you will:
become familiar with Surpacs block modelling module and the concept of block
modelling.
learn to fill a block model from drillhole data from a geological database.
learn to constrain a block model to filter out specific blocks.
learn to report volume, tonnage and grade from a block model.
learn about column processing of a block model.
Requirements
Prior to proceeding with this tutorial, you will need:
Surpac 6.1 installed, and

The block modelling tutorial data set, and
A good understanding of the basic Surpac concepts of strings, segments, DTMs,
and
string tools.
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Block Modelling
Introduction
Workflow
Note: This workflow demonstrates the steps in this tutorial. There are other ways to achieve
a
result.
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Block Modelling

The Block model is a form of spatially-referenced database that provides a means for
modelling a 3-D
body from point and interval data such as drillhole sample data. The Block model consists of
interpolated values rather than true measurements. It provides a method for estimating
volume,
tonnage, and average grade of a 3-D body from sparse drill hole data.
Model Space
3D coordinates spatially define the model extents.
Minimum Northing (Y), Easting (X) and Elevation (Z).
Maximum Northing (Y), Easting (X) and Elevation (Z).
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Block Modelling
Blocks and Attributes

The centroid of each block defines its geometric dimensions in each axis, ie. its coordinates,
Y, X, and
Z. Each block contains attributes for each of the properties to be modelled. The properties or
attributes may contain numeric or character string values. Blocks may be of varying size
defined by
the user once the block model is created.
Block model of oil sands coloured by attribute values (bitumen).
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Block Modelling
Constraints
All Block model functions may be performed with constraints. A constraint is a logical
combination of
one or more spatial objects on selected blocks. Objects that may be used in constraints are
plane
surfaces, DTMs, solids, closed strings and block attribute values. Constraints may be saved to
a file
for rapid re-use and may themselves be used as components of other constraints.
Blocks meet a constraint (eg. below a DTM as in the figures below) if its centroid meets that
constraint. This is true even if part of the block is above the DTM.
Unconstrained block model in relation to a DTM surface.
Same block model but constrained by the topography (DTM).

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Block Modelling
Estimation
Once a Block model is created and all attributes defined, the model must be filled by some
estimation method. This is achieved by estimating and assigning attribute values from
sample data
which has X Y Z coordinates and the attribute values of interest.
The estimation
methods that may be used are:
Nearest Neighbour Assign the value of the closest sample point to a block
Inverse Distance
Assign Value
Assign block values using an Inverse Distance estimator

Assign an explicit value to blocks in the model
Ordinary Kriging
Assign block values using Kriging with Variogram parameters

developed from
a Geostatistical study
Indicator Kriging
Functions concerned with a probabilistic block grade distribution

derived from
the kriging of indicators
Assign data from the description fields of closed segments to

Assign from String attribute values
of blocks that are contained within those segments extended in
the direction
of one of the principal axes (X, Y or Z)
Assign block values from data in a delimited or fixed format text
Import Centroids
file
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Block Modelling

Setting the Work Directory
1. In the Surpac Navigator, right-click the block_model folder.
2. Select Set as work directory.
The name of the work directory is displayed in the title bar at the top of the Surpac
window.
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Block Modelling

1. In the Surpac Navigator, right-click the block_model folder.
2. Select Set as work directory.
The name of the work directory is displayed in the title bar at the top of the Surpac
window.
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Block Modelling
Displaying the Toolbar and Menubar

When working with the Block modelling tools, it is helpful to use the block_model profile.
This
displays the Block modelling menubar and toolbar.
1. Right-click in the blank area next to the menus at the top of the Surpac main window.
2. From the popup menu, choose Profiles > block_model.
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Block Modelling
Creating a
Block
Model
Create a Block Model

1. Open ore1.dtm.
The solid of the orebody is displayed.
2. Choose View > Zoom out.

3. Choose Display > 2D grid.
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4. Enter the information as shown, and then click Apply.
Block Modelling
The orebody with the 2D in grid in plan view is

displayed.
5. Click the icon to show the data in section view.
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Block Modelling
6. Choose Display > 2D grid.

The
orebody
in
section
view
with a
2D grid
is
displaye
d.
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Using the previous diagrams you can determine the origin and extents of the block
model
which will cover the ore solid.
You can also use the string file ore1.str to determine the origin and extents directly
from
the data. This method is described below.
8. Choose Block model > New / Open.
10. Click Apply to confirm creation of the new block model.
11. Tick the box for Get extents from string file.
12. Choose ore1.str and click Open.
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Block Modelling
The models coordinates are filled in based on the values in

ore1.str.
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13. Adjust the values as shown to create a block model which fully covers the extents of
the
orebody.
14. Click Apply.
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Block Modelling
15. Enter the information as shown, and then click Create Model.
The block model is created and its name is displayed in the status bar at the bottom
of
the Surpac window.
16. Click the Reset graphics .

icon
17. Choose Block model > Save to save the block model.
18. Choose Display > Display block model.
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The block model is displayed.
Block Modelling
20. Choose Block model > Close.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _01_create_model.tcl. You will
need to
click Apply on any forms presented.
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Block Modelling

An attribute contains the information or the properties of the model space. This can be either
a
number with decimal places, an integer or a character code.
Create Model Attributes

Before creating any attributes you will look at the information stored in the drillhole database,
and
decide what will be extracted in the compositing.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Open training.mdl.
Open db1.ddb.
Right-click in the blank area next to the menus at the top of the Surpac main window.
From the popup menu, choose Profiles > geology_database.
From the Geology Database menu, choose Edit > View table.
Enter the information as shown, and then click Apply.
7. Click Apply on the blank constraints form to look at the entire table._
8. After looking at the data in the sample table, click Apply. This table data is typical of
the
data from a geological database that may be used to fill a block model.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Choose Database > Close.

Right-click in the blank area next to the menus at the top of the Surpac main window.
From the popup menu, choose Profiles > block_model.
Choose Attributes > New.
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Note: Using real, rather than float, will significantly increase the size of the block
model. You would choose float rather than real whenever the attribute will contain
approximately 8 significant digits or less.
14. Choose Block model > Summary.
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15. After viewing the form, click Apply.

16. Choose Block model > Save.
Block Modelling
17. Click Yes to write the attributes into the block model.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _02_create_model_attributes.tcl.
You will
need to click Apply on any forms presented.
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Block Modelling

Applying Constraints to a Block Model
Constraints are logical combinations of spatial operators and objects. Constraints may be
used to
control the selection of blocks from which information may be retrieved and/or into which
interpolations may be made.
It is possible to apply both simple and complex constraints to the block model to assist in all
aspects
of modelling including:
Filling the Block model with values .

Producing reports.
Viewing models in graphics.
Loading a constrained portion of a model.
The choices of spatial operators are:
ABOVE.
INSIDE.
>.
<.
=.
The operator used depends on the nature of the object. In order to reduce the number of
spatial
operators, the word NOT is used to imply the opposite of an operation. For example, OUTSIDE
would
be represented by the expression NOT INSIDE. With the AND statement all conditions must be
met
for the constraint to apply to a block. With the OR statement, just one of the conditions needs
to be
satisfied.
Create a constraint file
This function allows you to generate constraints without having to perform some other block
model
function. The key to working with the Surpac block model is in the mastering of this form.
One constraint at a time may be applied to a model, or a series of constraints can be
combined and
saved as a constraint (*.con) file.
The types of constraints supported are:
inside/outside a solid.
above/below a Surface.
satisfy the conditions of a block Attribute.
inside/outside a string.
above/below a defined plane.
As each constraint is defined, click Add

.
Note: If a Constraint combination is not defined, Surpac will assume the AND statement is
to apply
to all constraints, ie. a AND b must be satisfied.
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Block Modelling
1. Open training.mdl.
2. Choose Block model > Display.
Alternatively, click the training button on the status bar at the bottom of the Surpac
window and choose Display from the popup menu.
The entire block model is shown with no constraints.

4. Choose Constraints > New constraint file.
Note: Once you have constructed the constraint, save it by filling in the Save
constraint to box and then clicking Apply.
6. Drag and drop oxide.con into graphics.
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Block Modelling
The blocks below the topography and above the weath_ew1 surface are displayed on
the
screen.
You will now repeat the above process to create constraints for the transitional zone
and
fresh rock zone.
trans.con is above weath_fresh1.dtm and below weath_ew1.dtm.
7. Choose Constraints > Remove last graphical constraint.
10. Drag and drop trans.con into graphics.
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The blocks in the transitional zone are displayed as shown.
fresh.con is below weath_fresh1.dtm

11. Choose Constraints > Remove last graphical constraint.
14. Drag and drop fresh.con into graphics.
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The fresh rock layer is displayed as shown:
Block Modelling

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _03_applying_constaints.tcl. You
will
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Block Modelling
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Assign Value
2. Choose Estimation > Assign value.
5. Click Yes.
You will now repeat this process of filling the attribute sg. Assign sg a value of 2.6
inside
trans.con and a value of 2.8 inside fresh.con.
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7. Enter the information as shown, and then click

Apply.
Block Modelling
8. Enter the information

as shown, and then click
Apply.
9. Click Yes on the confirmation form.

Apply.
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13. Click Yes on the confirmation form.

You will now create another constraint for viewing purposes. The file litho.con will
contain all the blocks inside the solids sand1.dtm, bif1.dtm and qpy1.dtm.
Note: Be sure to use the OR statement in the constraint combination box as
shown.
14. Choose Constraints > New constraints file.
You will now colour the blocks based on numerical attributes.

16. Choose Display > Display block model.
17. Drag and drop litho.con into graphics.
18. Choose Display > Colour model by attribute.
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19. Enter the values as shown, click Refresh, and then click Apply.
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20. Choose Display > Edge and face visibility and ensure Display block edges is
unticked.
The visual effect is much better, as seen in the image below.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _04_assign_value.tcl. You will
need to click
Apply on any forms presented.
Nearest Neighbour
2. Choose Block Model > Display.
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4. Choose View > Data view options > View by bearing and dip.
6. Choose View > Zoom > Out.

7. Choose Constraints > New graphical constraint.
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9. Choose Estimation > Nearest Neigbour.

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Block Modelling
Once the filling has been completed, a report called nearest_neighbour.not is

produced.
13. Choose Display > colour by attribute.
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Block Modelling
14. Enter the information as shown, click Refresh and then click Apply.
The constrained and coloured block model for the bif1 zone is displayed.
15. Choose Block Model > Save.

16. Choose Block Model > Close.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _05a_nearest_neighbour.tcl. You
will need
to click Apply on any forms presented.
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Inverse Distance

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9. Choose Estimation > Inverse Distance.

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Once the filling has been completed, a report called training_id.not is produced.
14. Choose Display > colour by attribute.
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Block Modelling
The constrained and coloured block model for the Sand1 zone is displayed.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _05b_inverse_distance.tcl. You
will need
Ordinary Kriging
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9. Choose Estimation > Ordinary Kriging.

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Block Modelling
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Block Modelling
When the model has been filled, a report file callled ordinary_kriging.not is
produced.
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Block Modelling
The constrained and coloured block model for the QPY zone is displayed.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _05c_ordinary_kriging.tcl. You will
need to
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Block Modelling

Block Model Report
You will now produce a report for the entire deposit.
1. Choose Block model > Report.
Apply.
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Note: The report can be weighted by mass and, in this case, the specific gravity
attribute must be supplied.
Note: Grouping Attributes: The results can be grouped based on any attribute
or Y, X,
Z. If you are grouping by more than one attribute then the order in which they are
specified will have a major influence on the format of the report. In the above
example , if
the attribute GOLD is reported based on the cutoff values of 0;1;3;5;10;999 and
these
cutoffs are to be reported on each 50m elevation range between 800 and 1100, you
would enter the Z value first, and the GOLD values second. The results will be
divided into
50m rl ranges within which the numbers are split into grade ranges.
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Block Modelling

This will constrain the report to the material within the pit and below the topography.
5. Open total_orebody1.not.
Surpac 6.2
The report is displayed.
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Block Modelling
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _06_block_model_
reporting.tcl. You will need to click Apply on any forms presented.
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It is possible to create attributes within the Surpac block model that are calculated from
values within
other attributes, or from standard values. These attributes, called calculated attributes, are
very
powerful tools for generating reportable values. They add no memory size to the model.

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Block Modelling
The constrained and coloured block model for the QPY zone is displayed.
11. Choose Attributes > New.

You will add a new calculated attribute and in the expression field, entering the
mathematical formula for calculating the cut grade.
Note: To create a calculated top cut, the expression is iif(gold>20,20,gold)

translating
to if gold is greater than 20, then make gold 20, else leave as the existing value of
gold.
The new attribute is created.
13. Choose Display > View attributes for one block.
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Block Modelling
14. Click a few blocks from the upper range to see that the top value for au_cut is now
limited
to 20.

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Partial Percentage Reporting
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Block Modelling
Task: Report partial percent using geometric grouping in the block model report

The traditional constraints functions test all blocks to check whether they are inside or outside
the
constraint using the centroid position. This test is done on the minimum size blocks in the
model
(sub-blocks).
Occasionally, the centroid may fall outside the constraint, yet a significant part of the block
may still
be inside the constraint (figure A). Usually, this is not a significant issue - the blocks in
question are at
the minimum block size, and some will be inside, some will be outside, and so the model
evens itself
up. However, for some reporting, such as volume reconciliation, this is not accurate enough.
The partial percentage function tests these inconclusive blocks and determines a fractional
value
between 0 and 1 as to how much of the block is inside the constraint, e.g. 0 is totally out, 1 is
totally
in and 0.4 is 40% inside (figure B). These values are stored inside a specified attribute.
How the percentage is calculated is very simple. With traditional constraints, the model is subblocked down to the minimum block size, and then the inside/outside test is performed on the
block
centroid. The partial percentage calculation takes it further. Rather than stopping at the
minimum
block size, this function will sub-block further, depending on the Precision Factor that is
entered. The
higher the Precision Factor the more times the block will be sub-blocked past the minimum
block
size.
The function then performs the standard constraint on these smaller blocks, and counts the
ones
that are inside and outside the constraint. This count becomes the percentage. The
percentage is
always stored in the block at minimum block size. So it becomes a trade-off.
The higher the precision factor, the more precise the partial percentage calculation. However,
many
more blocks are created for the higher precision factors, and so the function will be slower. For
example, a percentage calculation with a precision factor of 5 will create 4096 times the
number of
blocks than a calculation at precision 1.
Performing partial percentage calculations on underground models can be very time
consuming
because you would need to create an attribute and run the partial percentage function for
each
stope in the model. An alternative way to determine partial percentage volume is to use the
geometric grouping function in the block model report. The partial percentage volumes, for
each
location, are then generated in the report. However, the percentage value for each block is
not
stored as an attribute in the blocks of your model.
Partial percent reporting from the block model report

Task: Report partial percent using geometric grouping in the block model
report
The Block model report format file form is displayed.
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Task: Report partial percent using geometric grouping in the block model report
The Block model report form is displayed.

The report opens.
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Block Modelling
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run

_08a_partial_percentages_report.tcl. You
will need to click Apply on any forms presented.
Simple Partial Percent Reporting

First you will create an orebody solid.
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Block Modelling
2. Append bif1.dtm, qpy1.dtm, sand1.dtm into the main graphics layer.
Note: DTMs are appended to a layer by holding down the control key while
dragging
and dropping the DTMs into graphics.
The DTMs are displayed.
3. Choose File > Save > string/DTM.

4. Enter the information as shown, and then click Apply to save the results to
orebody1.dtm.
5. Choose Attributes > New to create a new attribute to store the partial percentage
value.
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Block Modelling
You will now give the new block attribute a value based on its position relative to the
orebody.
7. Choose Estimation > Partial Percentage.
Note: It is possible to use a string, DTM surface, 3D model or several other options
for
constraint to apply.
The results are a partial percentage volume calculation for the blocks along the edge
of
the orebody.
The precision option determines how many times the block will be split into smaller
blocks for testing to see if it is in or out of the constraint. As an example, a precision
of 2
would split the block into two parts in each direction, almost as if it were sub
blocking,
and then testing these smaller blocks against the DTM surface. A precision of 3
would
split the blocks 3 times in each direction, and so on. The larger the precision value
the
longer the process will take.
Saving a partial percentage result to a file allows it to be used again without the
need for
running the estimation function. It also allows for several variables to be filled at one
time.
Once completed, a report can be generated to give the volume in the orebody. This
is
done by using the partial attribute as a weighting attribute.
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Block Modelling
You will now generate two reports to see the difference, once without making use of
the
partial attribute, and then a second time using the partial attribute as a weighting
field.
9. Select Block model > Report.
This will generate a report for the volume without making use of the partially filled
blocks.
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Apply.
Surpac generates the report and displays it as

shown.

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Block Modelling

Apply.

Apply.
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Block Modelling
Note: Make sure that this time you click the checkbox to keep the blocks partially
in
the constraint at the bottom.
You should see that the difference between the two reports in terms of volume is
about
0.6%, and in terms of the gold content, 0.4 in true value (or 5.2% of the grade). If
the
blocks were larger (eg. 20x20x20) partial percentages would show a greater effect
on the
result.
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Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _08b_partial_percentages.tcl.
You will
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Block Modelling
Model Reblocking
Model Reblocking
Model Reblocking
In Surpac you can create a new model with different block sizes from those in the current
model by
re-blocking.
In this example, you will reblock the model in all 3 directions.
2. Choose Block model > Reblock.
The model training_reblock is created with the specified block size and becomes
the
active model.
4. Choose Block model > Summary.
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Model Reblocking
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Block Modelling
The model summary is displayed. Notice that the new block size is 20 x 20 x 10.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _09_model_reblocking.tcl. You
will need
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Column Processing
Block Modelling
Column Processing
In this section you will take an existing block model and use Surpac's block model column
processing
functions to evaluate the economics of the block model.
The data is a block model containing only one attribute, grade, and a DTM representing
surface
topography.
Workflow
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Column Processing
Viewing the Data

Task: View the Data
1. Open blockmodel.mdl.
4.
Choos
e
View
>
Data
view
options > View by bearing and dip.

Task: View the Data

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Column Processing
7. Enter the information as shown, click Refresh, and then

click Apply.
Block Modelling
8.
Choos
e
Displa
y>
New
graph
ical
constr
aint.
9.
Enter
the
inform
ation
as
shown,
and
then
click
Apply.
Task: View the Data
10. Choose View > Data view options > View by bearing
and dip.
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Task: View the Data
The model is displayed.
The blocks in this model are 35 metres in the x and y dimensions and 3 metres high.
Because the vertical extent of this model is limited compared to the horizontal
extent,
you will vertically exaggerate this model by a factor of 5.
12. Choose View > Data view options > View scale factors.
After exaggerating the model five times, to get the view at a bearing of 330 degrees
and a
dip of -20 degrees, you need to set the View by Bearing function to a dip of -4; the
dip you
want divided by the vertical exaggeration.
Surpac 6.2
Column Processing
Page 75 of 106
Block Modelling
Task: View the Data
The model is displayed.
16. Open block_topo1.dtm.

Note the separation between the topography and the highest blocks with any grade.
This
separation is called the overburden.
You will now slice the model to see the internal structure.
17. In the Layers pane, right-click on the layer blocktopo1.dtm and choose Delete
layer.
18. Choose View > Zoom > All.
This moves the data back to plan view
19. Click the Define section .
icon
Surpac 6.2
Column Processing
Page 76 of 106
Block Modelling
Task: View the Data
20. Enter the information as shown below on the Section Method tab.
21. Enter the information as shown on the Section Block Model tab, and then click
Apply.
Surpac 6.2
Page 77 of 106
Column Processing
Block Modelling
The first section through the block model is

displayed.
22. Click the Next section to view the following sections (there are 5).
icon
You should now have a good idea of how the block model looks and are ready to start
the economic modelling process.
23. Choose Block model > Close
24. Click Exit

graphics
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _10_viewing_the_data.tcl. You
will need
Classify Blocks
2. Choose Column processing > Column tops.
Surpac 6.2
Column Processing
Page 78 of 106
Block Modelling
This will search down through the block model extracting a point at the top of the
first
block in each column where the grade is greater than 8.
The result will be a string file called top_cutoff1.str. The nominal value above top
value
from the Tops of columns form is the default elevation which will be assigned if no
blocks
in the column satisfy the constraint. As a rule of thumb, when extracting upper
surfaces,
the nominal z elevation should be set to an elevation below your model and when
extracting lower surfaces it should be set to an elevation above your model.
This time the search is in the Z direction (positive Z is up) and the nominal elevation
is set
to 400.
7. Enter the information as shown below, and then click Apply.
Surpac 6.2
Column Processing
Page 79 of 106
Block Modelling
You will now use the string files top_cutoff1.str and bot_cutoff1.str to create
DTMs.
8. Choose Surfaces > DTM File functions > Create DTM from string file.
Surpac 6.2
Page 80 of 106
Block Modelling
Column Processing
11. Enter the information as shown, and then

click Apply.
12. Choose Block
model > Display.
13. Enter the
information as
shown, and then
click Apply.
14. Choose View > Data view options > View

scale factors.
Surpac 6.2
Column Processing
Block Modelling
Page 81 of 106

18. Open top_cutoff.dtm and bot_cutoff.dtm.

The block model with top and bottom cutoffs is displayed.
Surpac 6.2
Block Modelling
Page 82 of 106
Column Processing
19. Click the blockmodel button on the status bar at the bottom of the screen.
A popup menu appears.
20. Choose Hide.

You will see the following image which shows the upper and lower cutoff DTM
surfaces.
21. Click the blockmodel button on the status bar at the bottom of the screen and
choose
Display from the popup menu.
Surpac 6.2
Block Modelling
Page 83 of 106
Column Processing
The block model is redisplayed.

23. In the Layers pane, double click the bot_cutoff1.dtm layer to make it the active
layer.
24. Right-click the bot_cutoff1.dtm layer and untick the Visible option from the popup
menu.
Notice that the visibility icon changes to (ie. greyed out) to show that the
from
layer is no longer visible in graphics.
25. Repeat the above step for the top_cutoff1.dtm layer.

Only the block model is now visible.
The next step is to add two attributes to the model which will be filled in the
Ore/Waste
discrimination function.
Surpac 6.2
Block Modelling
Page 84 of 106
Column Processing
Note: Right-click on the number 1 to add a row to the table.

The ore_waste_flag is a flag which will signify an ore block if set to 1 and a waste
block if
set to 0. The composite_grade attribute will store the grade for a contiguous set of
ore
and waste blocks in a column.
28. Choose Column processing > Ore/Waste discrimination.
Note: You are specifying minimum mining thicknesses of ore and waste of 6
metres
and a cutoff grade of 8. This function classifies blocks as ORE or WASTE according to
a
cutoff grade and minimum thickness criteria.
Surpac 6.2
Block Modelling
Page 85 of 106
Column Processing
The ore/waste classification is stored as an integer value in the ore_waste_flag

attribute
which facilitates colouring the model on ore/waste. A master attribute is specified
(grade)
and an attribute to store the composite grade for each resulting ore and waste layer.
Note: It is very important that this function be applied using the above constraint.
This
way no outlying sub-grade waste blocks will be included in the top or bottom ore
layers.
This constraint file is saved for future processing.
A summary is shown below.
You will now colour the model on the ore_waste_flag attribute. Ensure you are
viewing
only the blocks within your new constraint file - top_bot_cutoff.con.
Surpac 6.2
Column Processing
Block Modelling
Page 86 of 106


34. Select ore_waste_flag for Attribute to colour by, and then click Scan.
Surpac 6.2
Page 87 of 106
Column Processing
Block Modelling
The form is redisplayed.
35. Click the down arrow on row 1 to bring up the Colour chooser.
36. Click the Crayola tab, type in blue and then click OK.
The waste blocks are now coloured blue.

37. Click the down arrow on row 2 to bring up the Colour chooser.
38. Click the Crayola tab, type in yellow and then click OK.
The ore blocks are now coloured yellow.
Surpac 6.2
Page 88 of 106
Column Processing
Block Modelling
39. Click Apply on the Block Colours form.
40. Click the toggle display polygon &

triangle edges icon
This will colour the model as shown:
to turn edges off.
Note that the minimum mining thickness of 6 metres (2 blocks in elevation) has been
taken into account.
Surpac 6.2
Column Processing
Block Modelling
Page 89 of 106
41. Choose Display > View attributes for one block and click on a block to select it.
The composite grade will be reported. This is the average grade for all contiguous
ore or
waste blocks in that column. If you select a block above or below this block in the
same
layer, it will have the same composite grade. All ore layers have a composite grade
greater
than 8 and all waste layers have a composite grade less than 8. You will now display
waste
blocks only so you can see their distribution in the model.
The waste blocks are displayed.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _11_classify_blocks.tcl. You will
need to
Surpac 6.2
Page 90 of 106
Column Processing
Reduction and Dilution

3. Add an attribute called diluted_grade as
shown:
4. Choose Column processing > Dilution and

reduction.
Apply.
Block Modelling
Surpac 6.2
Page 91 of 106
Column Processing
Block Modelling
7. Click Yes on
the following
form.

Apply.
The report is
displayed.
Surpac 6.2
Block Modelling
Page 92 of 106
Column Processing
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _12_dilution_and_reduction.tcl.
You will
Recoverable Product
4. Enter the information as shown below, and then click Apply.
This will assign those blocks above the top of our ore, and below the topography (ie.
the
overburden) blocks to waste.

5. Click Yes.
Surpac 6.2
Block Modelling
Page 93 of 106
Column Processing
Note: Before you run the Recoverable product function, you should add the
attributes
which will store the results of this function.
The attributes do not have to be added ahead of time in this function. If the
attributes
specified to store the results do not exist, they will be created.
However it is a better practice to add them first for two reasons:
If they are added by the function, they are created as real attributes and
not
floats and therefore will require double the storage space.
You have control of the background values when adding them yourself. For
data management reasons you will want to standardize your background
values. In this tutorial you are using a background value of -99.
Unlike most other attributes, the ratio attributes are given a high background value.
A
high value of the ratio of volume to product denotes less economic material. You will
be
searching for the first value below a certain value. If you picked a low background
value,
when searching for the first block below a certain value using the column tops
function,
you would always find the top or bottom of the model because this is outside of our
constraint and so remains at the background value.
8. Choose Column processing > Recoverable product.
Surpac 6.2
Page 94 of 106
Column Processing
Block Modelling
Note: You would expect an ore layer with only a small amount of overlying waste
to
have a lower individual ratio than an ore layer with a higher thickness of overlying
waste.
Also, you would expect the uppermost ore layer to have the same value for the
individual
and cumulative ratios.

14. Select ore_waste_flag for Attribute to colour by, and click Scan.
Surpac 6.2
Page 95 of 106
Column Processing
The Block Colours form is as displayed.
15. Click Apply.

16. Choose View > Data view options > View
scale factors.
Apply.
Block Modelling
18. Drag and drop

top_bot_cutoff.c
on into graphics.
19. Choose
Display > Edit
attributes for
one block.
20. Click an ore
block.
Surpac 6.2
Column Processing
Block Modelling
Page 96 of 106
You should see results similar to those shown below.
The final steps of the process are to extract and create surfaces representing the top
and
bottom of economic ore. The bottom of economic ore will be a surface created when
searching up through the model, using the Column Tops function, for the first block
where both individual and cumulative ratios are below a cutoff ratio. For this exercise
you
will use a cutoff ratio of 12.
Surpac 6.2
Block Modelling
Page 97 of 106
Column Processing
26. Click and drag bot_ore12.dtm from the Navigator into graphics.
Surpac 6.2
Column Processing
Page 98 of 106
Block Modelling
27. View the block model from below, as shown.

The economic bottom of ore matches the lowest occurrence of ore in all parts of the
model except for the southwest.
The top of the ore will simply be the first occurrence of ore searching down through
the
model (ie. the ore_waste_flag =1). If this ore is not economic, as in the southwest of
the
model, it will be excluded by the fact that the economic bottom of ore is at an
elevation of
400 here. This is a reason why the nominal values are important when using the
Column
Tops functions.

Surpac 6.2
Column Processing
Block Modelling
Page 99 of 106
A block model report can now be generated to calculate volume, tons, average grade
and
recoverable product of the economic ore.
33. Choose Block Model > Report.
Surpac 6.2
Column Processing
Block Modelling
Page 100 of 106
Note: Right-click on the a in the first row to add another row to the table.
Surpac 6.2
Page 101 of 106
Block Modelling
Column Processing

Apply.
37. Choose Block
model > Close.
The resulting report is shown.
Surpac 6.2
Block Modelling
Page 102 of 106
Column Processing
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _13_recoverable_product.tcl.
You will
Thicknesses
2. Choose Column processing > Thickness.
Surpac 6.2
Page 103 of 106
Block Modelling
Column Processing
A report is generated as shown:
Note: In the resultant string file, String 1 contains the ore thickness and average
diluted grade in the first and second description fields. There is also a string 2 in this
file
which contains the thickness of all other material (in this case this represents
interburden
thickness) and the average diluted_grade. String 2 must be deleted from this file
before
you can create a DTM of ore thicknesses and grades, or the values from string 1 and
2 will
be averaged when creating the DTM - giving you meaningless results.
5. Open ore_thickness12.strin Graphics.
6. Choose Edit > String > Delete range and delete string 2 from
ore_thickness12.str.
7. Choose Surfaces > DTM file functions > Create DTM from string file.
Surpac 6.2
Page 104 of 106
Column Processing
Block Modelling

Apply.
Contours can now be extracted of the ore

thickness.
9. Choose Surfaces > Contouring > Contour
DTM file.
Surpac 6.2
Block Modelling
Page 105 of 106
Column Processing
11. Drag and drop the file contour_thickness.str into graphics.

The contours are displayed.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _14_thicknesses.tcl. You will need
to click
Apply on any forms presented.
Surpac 6.2
Page 106 of 106
Block Modelling

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Copyright 2011 Gemcom Software International Inc.

Block Modelling Concepts

Blocks and Attributes

Setup for This Tutorial

Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows XP)

Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows Vista)

Displaying the Toolbar and Menubar

Task: Create Model Attributes

Constraints Within a Block Model

Applying Constraints to a Block Model

Surpac 6.1 installed, and

Block Modelling Concepts

Block Modelling Concepts

Block Modelling Concepts

Blocks and Attributes

Block model of oil sands coloured by attribute values (bitumen).

Block Modelling Concepts

Unconstrained block model in relation to a DTM surface.

Same block model but constrained by the topography (DTM).

Block Modelling Concepts

Assign block values using an Inverse Distance estimator

Assign block values using Kriging with Variogram parameters

Functions concerned with a probabilistic block grade distribution

Assign data from the description fields of closed segments to

Setup for This Tutorial

Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows XP)

Setup for This Tutorial

Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows Vista)

Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows Vista)

Setup for This Tutorial

Task: Display the Block Modelling Toolbar and Menubar

Displaying the Toolbar and Menubar

Creating a Block Model

Create a Block Model

Task: Create a Block Model

2. Choose View > Zoom out.

Creating a Block Model

4. Enter the information as shown, and then click Apply.

Task: Create a Block Model

The orebody with the 2D in grid in plan view is

5. Click the icon to show the data in section view.

Creating a Block Model

6. Choose Display > 2D grid.

Task: Create a Block Model

Creating a Block Model

Task: Create a Block Model

10. Click Apply to confirm creation of the new block model.

Creating a Block Model

Task: Create a Block Model

The models coordinates are filled in based on the values in

Creating a Block Model

Task: Create a Block Model

14. Click Apply.

Creating a Block Model

Task: Create a Block Model

16. Click the Reset graphics .

Creating a Block Model

The block model is displayed.