SURPAC BASIC

COURSE

DICTATED BY:

YEISON ADOLFO CIRO OCAMPO

J U A N E S T E B A N Z A PA T A
VELASQUEZ
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YEISON ADOLFO CIRO OCAMPO JUAN ESTEBAN ZAPATA VELASQUEZ
Course

INSTRUCTORS' SHEETS

YEISON ADOLFO CIRO OCAMPO

Mining and Metallurgical Engineer YEISON ADOLFO CIRO OCAMPO
National University of Colombia Mining and Metallurgy of Engineer
(Medellin Campus) National University of Colombia
CC: 1017123448 (Medellin Campus)
Professional card: 0525617837 CC: 1017123448
Cell phone: 311-760-60-43 Professional card: 0525617837
Email: [email protected] Mobile: 311-760-60-43
: Email: [email protected]
[email protected] : [email protected]
City of residence: Medellin City of residence: Medellín

Juan Esteban Zapata Velasquez

Mining and Metallurgical Engineer Juan Esteban Zapata Velasquez
National University of Colombia Mining and Metallurgy of Engineer
(Medellin Campus) National University of Colombia
CC: 1017123448 (Medellin Campus)
Cell phone: 311-760-60-43 CC: 1017123448
Email: [email protected] Mobile: 311-760-60-43
: Email: [email protected]
[email protected] : [email protected]
City of residence: Medellin City of residence: Medellín
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................7
2. GOALS......................................................................................................................8
1.1 GENERAL OBJECTIVE..............................................................................8
1.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES............................................................................8
3. METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................9
2. MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS......................................................10
3. COMPATIBLE SOFTWARE.................................................................................10
4. LEARNING SEQUENCE.......................................................................................10
4.1 DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES...........................................................11
4.2 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES.................................................................12
5. COURSE DEVELOPMENT...................................................................................13
5.1 GRAPHICAL INTERFACE......................................................................13
5.1.1 Menus.........................................................................................................14
5.1.2 Toolbars.....................................................................................................14
5.1.3 Navigator..................................................................................................15
5.1.4 Status Bar.................................................................................................15
5.1.5 Message Window:..................................................................................15
5.1.6 Viewport:...................................................................................................15
5.1.7 Command Chooser:...............................................................................15
5.1.8 Layer Chooser:........................................................................................16
5.2 SET AS WORK DIRECTORY..................................................................16
5.3 FILES & LAYERS.......................................................................................18
5.3.1 Digitized....................................................................................................19
5.3.2 String..........................................................................................................19
5.3.2.1 String exercises..................................................................................23
5.3.3 DTM's..........................................................................................................27
5.3.3.1 DTM exercises.....................................................................................29
5.4 GEOLOGICAL MODEL............................................................................32
5.4.1 Table Necklace.......................................................................................32
5.4.2 Survey Table............................................................................................33
5.4.3 Optional tables........................................................................................34
5.4.3.1 Database exercises............................................................................35
5.5 BLOCK MODEL..........................................................................................38
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5.5.1 Attributes.............................................................39
5.5.2 Constraints...............................................................................................40
5.5.3 Estimation.................................................................................................40
5.5.3.1 Model Block Exercises.....................................................................41
LITERATURE................................................................................................................43
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List of figures

Figure 1. Hardware Requirements..............................................................10

Figure 2. Quick-use tools.............................................................................13
Figure 3. Graphic environment...................................................................14
Figure 4. Toolbar selection menu................................................................14
Figure 5. Working directory........................................................................17
Figure 6. Home working directory..............................................................18
Figure 7. Surpac Archives...........................................................................18
Figure 8. Scanning menu............................................................................. 19
Figure 9. Hierarchical order of the string file.............................................20
Figure 10. Open string................................................................................ 21
Figure 11. Closed string..............................................................................21
Figure 12. String spot height......................................................................22
Figure 13. Applications of DTM's................................................................28
Figure 14. Comparison between String component files and DTM's..........28
Figure 15. Hierarchical order of DTM's......................................................28
Figure 16. Conformation of triangles and trisolations for DTM'S...............29
Figure 17. Required fields in the Collar table.............................................33
Figure 18. Mandatory fields in the Survey table.........................................34
Figure 19. Mandatory fields of the different types of optional tables.........35
Figure 20. Block model................................................................................ 38
Figure 21. Block model menu bar displayed...............................................38
Figure 22. Block Model Menu Bar...............................................................39
Figure 23. Constraints menu options..........................................................40
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List of tables

Board 1. Estimation methods......................................................................15

Board 2. Mouse handling options in the Surpac interface..........................15
Board 3. Using String Types........................................................................22
Board 4. Useful Toolbar Icons.....................................................................23
Board 5. Useful icons on the geological database toolbar..........................35
Board 6. Useful toolbar icons block modeling.............................................38
Board 7. Estimation methods......................................................................41
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1. INTRODUCTION

Surpac Vision Software is a world leader in software development for the

mining industry with more than 3,000 licenses used in more than 85
countries. Their system has applications in all stages of the mining
production cycle, from reserve estimation, planning, production and
environmental restoration. Example of areas covered:

 Reserve modelling
 Open pit and underground mine design and planning
 Underground and surface topography
 Control of laws
 Block model
 Mining production and planning
 Exploration tools, including advanced geostatistics
 Modules for drilling databases
 Calculation of tailings deposits

Surpac is a specialized software to provide support and services to the

mining industry, from the analysis of drilling and surface geology to mining
sequencing, through a powerful three-dimensional interface. Surpac
consists of several modules, which can be enabled in each license, such as
geological databases, block models, mine design (underground and open
pit), blast design (underground and open pit).
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2. GOALS

1.1 GENERAL OBJECTIVE

The course is aimed at Mining Engineers, Geologists and all those
professionals who are related to Geostatistics, reserve calculation and mine
planning; who will be provided with the tools and concepts for the entire
process of Geological Modeling, Evaluation and Estimation of Reserves,
through SURPAC, based on previously designed exercises.

1.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

 Learn the basic tools of Autocad, which will support the training
processes with Surpac Vision.
 Familiarize yourself with the Surpac Vision interface and basic
functions.
 Enable the interested party to enter and edit data, points, segments,
polygons and projections.
 Learn the basic tools for the different modalities in the creation and
editing of DTMS.
 Conformation of solids and reporting of volumes.
 Become familiar with the types of geological tables required for the
graphic creation of drillings.
 Learn about the minimum requirements for creating a geological
database and its real-time updates
 Learn how to import data into a database from txt, mdl or csv files.
Create surfaces from qualities shown in the drill holes.
 Determination of resources.
 Block model basics.
 Learn how to import and export data to and from Autocad
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3. METHODOLOGY

The classes will be theoretical and practical with the help of audiovisual
media. Each person enrolled in the course will be assigned a computer to
practice what they have seen during the class. The course is divided into
modules. Each module presents an intra-class activity and an extra-class
activity that each course attendee must complete for the next module. In
each class, a file package will be given to solve each workshop or activity.
The only way to successfully complete the course is for each participant to
complete each activity or workshop proposed. Each workshop is connected
to the next and at the end of the course a summary of all the activities will
be presented.
This course is designed so that tutors teach 40% of the theoretical part and
60% of the intra-class and extra-class activities, which by their design will
force the participant to become familiar with the software.
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2. MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

For optimal software performance, the following minimum and

recommended hardware requirements are shown:

Figure 1. Hardware Requirements

3. COMPATIBLE SOFTWARE

 Autocad .DWG and .DXF

 ArcInfo shape files
 Datamine .ASC and .DM
 Gemcom
 Medsystem
 Microstation
 Vulcan
 Minex

4. LEARNING SEQUENCE

Based on the objectives and the identification of the logical learning

sequence, a summary is made of the activities to be carried out during the
course.

 Digitize.
 Climb.
 Georeferencing.
 General Edition.
 Advantages and disadvantages of Autocad and Surpac Vision.
 Functions and scope.
 Compatible software.
 Graphical interface
 Menu and tools
 Export and import data from DXF files.
 String file formation.
 Using editing tools.
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 Structures and data types.

 Create, save and edit data.
 Display and query information properties.
 Layer management.
 String File Tools and Applications
 String mathematics.
 String editing.
 Surface creation (DTM).
 Validation of DTMs.
 Enter databases from CSV, TXT and MDB files for drillings
 Deploy soundings.
 Insert drillhole descriptors.
 Block model basics.

4.1 DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES

BASIC_SURPAC_COURSES
MODUL
TOPICS
E ACTIVITIES
INTRODUCTION TO SURPAC Welcome exhibition

SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
Installation steps, accompanied by a video
Toolbar
GRAPHIC INTERFACE Title Bar
Environment and Work Modules
MODULE 1

Basic concepts of a string and storage format

Create new string
Snap Application Create a String
INTRODUCTORY CONCEPT OF
String manipulation
STRING AND DTM'S
Insert points
Point manipulation
Layer and segment concepts
Creation of DTM's
1. Exercise with bench105 and quality
2. Fix the lev100.str file
EXERCISES
3. Exercise with lev1665. str.
4. Exercise with lev1oo. Str
Importable Formats
Importing Files
IMPORT AND EXPORT DATA
Exportable Formats
Exporting Files
CONCEPT OF TRIANGULATION Introduction and Generalities
Introduction and Generalities
MODULE 2

Create DTM surfaces

DTM'S CONCEPTS Create limit string
Creating a solid
Volume calculation
VALIDATION OF SOLIDS Concepts and tools
Importing topographies
Import trace and bring to 3D
EXERCISES Importing 3D mines

Triangulation and generation of a surface

IMPORTING DRILLING DATA Basic Concepts of Drilling
M

U
O
D
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BASIC_SURPAC_COURSES
MODUL
TOPICS
E ACTIVITIES
Database Creation
Introduction and Generalities
Collar, survey and geology formats
Importation of collar, survey and geology to
COLLAR, SURVEY, GEOLOGY
surpac
Bases for solving problems when importing
collar, survey and geology
Graphical display of perforations
LE 3

DRILLING PROCESSING Revenue and display styles application

Modeling of reservoirs from drillings

1. Generate a Database

2. Import generated databases

EXERCISES
3. Deploy and display database label
4. Model the marble deposit with the
perforations displayed
5. Find the volume of the marble deposit
Introduction and Application of the Block
Model
Creating Block Models
INTRODUCTION TO BLOCK MODEL
MODULE 4

Graphical display of block model

Generation of restrictions to the block model
Generation of attributes
1. Create block model
2. generate restrictions to the block model
EXERCISES
3. generate attributes
4. Resource reporting in the block model

4.2 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Intensit
Module DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4
y (h)
Module 1 5
Module 2 5
Module 3 5
Module 4 5
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5. COURSE DEVELOPMENT

5.1 GRAPHICAL INTERFACE

The core of all Surpac software is integrated into a single graphical
environment visualizing all its modules, providing simultaneous 3D editing
with data management, using:

 3D digitization
 Multiple views
 Automatic Legends
 Full color reproduction
 Layered data deployment
 Orbit, pan and auto zoom
 Complete online help in HTML
 Cad style in design functions

Surpac Vision is widely operated on projects of various types including:

 Open pit and underground operations

 Industrial minerals
 Iron deposits
 Quarries and cement companies
 Coal companies
 Companies specializing in floor restoration

It is worth remembering that Surpac allows the digitalization of commands

that speed up processes. The keys to use for quick jobs are:

Figure 2. Quick-use tools.

Surpac's graphical user interface (GUI) is composed of several areas as

shown in the figure below:
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Figure 3. Graphic environment

Below is a description of the different elements of the graphical user

interface (GUI)

5.1.1Menus
There are 11 different menus to choose from in Surpac Vision. The two
default menus are called Main Menu & Applications Menu. The others
include Applets, Blast Design, Block Model, Database, Mine Design, Ring
Design, Solids, Surveying, & Scheduling.

5.1.2Toolbars
Here are 14 different toolbars to choose from at Surpac. The two default
toolbars loaded on startup are called Status Items, & Main. Others
included are Edit, Create, Display/Hide, View, Inquire, File Tools, Block
Model, Database, Mine Design, Blast Design, Ring Design, & Scheduling.

Menus or Toolbars can be shown or hidden by right-clicking on any region

that is not a menu item and selecting or deselecting the menus/toolbars
from the subsequent context menu. Menus are located above the separator
line in the context menu, and toolbars below. The following image shows
the menu displayed once you right-click.
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Figure 4. Toolbar selection menu

5.1.3Navigator
It's like an exploratory map similar to the one used in Windows. To open
the files you have to click with the mouse and drag them to the viewport.
There are three ways to open files if accompanied by keyboard functions.

Board 1. Estimation methods

Mode Keyboard modifier Result
Open None The file opens in its own layer.
The name of the layer is the
same as the name of the
opened file.
Add Crtl The file opens in its active layer
and is appended to any other
data on that layer.
Replace Crtl-Shift The file opens on its active
layer and replaces all other
data on that layer.

5.1.4Status Bar
The status bar displays vital information such as cursor coordinates,
current dip and azimuth, axis distance change when moving or copying,
connection to databases and block models.

5.1.5Message Window:
All information transmitted by Surpac to the user will be displayed in the
message window. This can be resized, minimized and maximized. Its
status can be changed between being considered and not being considered.
The text in the message window can be copied and pasted.

5.1.6Viewport:
This is the Surpac 3D graphic environment. All types of data are visible in
the viewport (string, surfaces, databases, block models, etc.). Three ways
to move views dynamically are achieved using the mouse:
Board 2. Mouse handling options in the Surpac interface
Mode Mouse Button
Orbit Left
By Medium or
axis Both
Zoom Right

5.1.7Command Chooser:
All the commands that make the software work (whether from the menu,
toolbars, or by typing in it) are displayed in the command chooser. In
parentheses after the function name the shortcut command is also shown.
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As commands are typed using the keyboard, the

command chooser will automatically finish typing the function. The arrow
can be used to call functions that ran previously.

5.1.8Layer Chooser:
All available layers are displayed in the layer chooser. The layer shown in
the box is the active layer. Modification and creation of new data will only
be done in the active layer. Surpac Vision always starts with one layer, the
“Main Graphics Layer”. Other layers can be added by clicking “new layer”
from the layer chooser, or by opening files from the browser using open
mode.

5.2 SET AS WORK DIRECTORY

The first step before starting to work in Surpac is the definition of the
working directory, this is done by right clicking on the folder that we want
to convert into the working directory and selecting Set as Work Directory
and it will automatically put a name on this folder and the font will turn
bold, indicating that it has become the working directory (see Figure 5)
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Figure 5. Working directory

How to modify the default working directory that Surpac brings, this is
done by modifying the workspace setting (perform an exercise with the
workspace change) How to change the working directory so you don't have
to search for it in the workspace.
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Figure 6. Home working directory

5.3 FILES & LAYERS

The following figure shows all the file types, extensions and a brief
description. These are the files that Surpac uses for the operation of all
modules. (See Figure 7)

Figure 7. Surpac Archives

The file types you will use initially are String files (*.str) and DTM files
(*.dtm); as the course progresses, other file types will be seen.
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5.3.1Digitized

A very common way to enter data into Surpac is by scanning. You can use
the mouse or a digitizing data tablet. You should have already learned
these functions on the main toolbar in the previous lab:

Change qualities of the digitizing point

Digitize cursor location

Digitize at selected point

Closing the digitalized segment
Start a new segment
Digitize by next segment
Digitize midpoint

All digitizing functions are located in the CREATE, DIGITIZE Menu. The
elevation to convert to digitize can be defined in CREATE, DIGITIZE,
PROPERTIES or using the button . Any digitization you make can always
be edited using the Editing function

All digitizing functions are found in the create-digitalise menu.

Figure 8. Scanning menu

5.3.2String
String files are the basic fundamental coordinate data. These contain
points and lines that are ordered and identified by sequences of numbers.

A String is a three-dimensional sequence of coordinates delineating some

physical feature. The valid range of numbers for strings is from 1 to 32000.
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Strings can contain multiple segments, which are discontinuous sequential

portions of the same number. Additionally each segment can contain
multiple points. Each point in the segment consists of a 3D coordinate (X,
Y, Z) and up to 100 optional descriptions. These descriptions are stored in
the description fields named D1, D2…D100. Many features in Surpac
automatically save information in description fields as required.

When String files are opened, they are stored in different layers. You have
complete control over where each file is stored. Modifying or creating new
data is done on one layer at a time, and always on the active layer. When
saving files it is always like this. Each layer is saved in its entirety in a file.

It is important to define the hierarchical order of string type files, because

it is used at the time of calculations and designs.

Figure 9. Hierarchical order of the string file

Types of string

 open
As a straight or curved line. If there is more than one open String in a file
with the same String number, then these are called open segments of that
String and are assigned a segment number.
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Figure 10. Open string

 closed
It can be a circle, square or any irregular polygon. A String is closed when
its first and last coordinates are the same. If there is more than one closed
String in a file with the same String number, then these are called closed
segments of the String and are assigned a segment number. This is
common in situations where many features are representing something
similar, logically they will be grouped within the same String identifier, for
example contour lines are assigned the same String number.

Figure 11. Closed string

 spot height
It is a set of random points joined by a number of String, which are not
delineated under any special feature. The points can be in any order, since
the actual line joining the points does not represent any features that you
can see. Spot height strings are commonly used to record point elevations
on a surface, or drill hole coordinates.
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Figure 12. String spot height

Direction of orientation of *.str, counter-clockwise represents an exclusion

area and clockwise represents an inclusion area, important for planning
and design.

Board 3. Using String Types

Surpac Term Common term example
String Open Line Soundings
String closed Polygon Properties of limits
Point not associated
with a line -or a Location of blasting
Spot Height polygon meshes

Surpac's data editing capabilities are mostly similar to those of Cad

systems. Editing a data sequence can be done by String, segments or
points. All the tools for editing Strings are located under the Edit menu.
Modifications to data streams can be undone using the Undo function. All
edited functions are transformed into data in the active layer.

String File Structure

Each line in a String file is called a record. The first two records are called
the header record and the axis record respectively. The header record
contains data relating to the entire sequence file such as the location code,
date generated, and purpose.
The axis record contains two sets of coordinates identified as sequence
number zero, defining a three-dimensional axis, which is used when taking
sections. If no axis has been chosen this file is filled with zeros.
The rest of the records in a string file contain points from the strings,
which have the following structure.
Description of the
String number AND X Z
points
Each field is delimited by a comma. Records contain zeros in all of the first
four fields indicating the end of a segment or string. The final record in the
string file is a line with a string number ranging from zero to the end of the
descriptor field.

The following table presents the most commonly used icons for managing
Surpac, as well as being the easiest to access because they are found in
toolbars.
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Board 4. Useful Toolbar Icons

Change directory
Opening String/DTM files
Saving String/DTM Files
Print
Reset graphics
Undo
Redo
Zoom in window
Zoom out window
Zoom In
Zoom Out
Zoom All
Rotation Center
Plan view
Sectional view
Longitudinal view
Lights on
Lights out
Hide On
Faces On
Edges On
Render
2D Grid
3D grid
Digitize the cursor location
Close the digitalized
segment
Digitize a selected point
Run Macro
Start/Stop recording a
Macro

5.3.2.1 String exercises

The files used for the development of the proposed String exercises are
located in the Introduction folder.

Before starting the exercises, it is recommended to name the introduction

folder as the working directory. To remember how a working directory is
named see the literal 5.2

1. Import the topo1.dxf file from Autocad into a String file.

Surpac allows the user to import and export data to and from external
sources. The most common formats for data exchange are ASCII text and
DXF files. All file import/export functions are located in the File menu
under Import or Export.
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a. From the File menu choose Import, DXF file to a string/DTM

file.
b. Fill in the data as shown in the example.

Click Apply to start the function. When the process is complete, a

conversion log report will open. It will also indicate the results of the
function in the message window.

2. Exercise with bench105 and quality): Show numbers, arrows,

directions, edit the str file. Colors among others
a) Display | Display Properties | Strings and Points

b) showing the direction of the shooting by means of arrows.

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3. Fix the lev100.str file by correcting all the errors in the String
files.
a) Open the lev100.str file by clicking and dragging it from the
navigator to the viewport.

b) From the toolbar choose the button to show the point markers and
apply the following shape.
c) From the Display menu choose Strings, with string and segment
number to display the numbers at the first point in each segment.
d) In A (see diagram) use Edit, Segment, Join to join the end of segment
1.1 with the beginning of segment 1.2. Remember to check your
dialog prompts
e) In B use Edit, Segment, Close to close this segment
f) Window in C using the button
g) Use Display, Point, Numbers to see the numbers for each point.

h) Use Edit, Segment, Break after point , and choose to break after
point 12. Please note that the point numbers change when you edit
the point (delete and insert). These point numbers referred to here
in this procedure belong to the diagram above.
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i) Use Edit, Point, Move to move point 81 out of the

zone, closing point number 12.
j) Use Edit, Segment, Join to join point 12 with point 81.
k) Notice that the numbers in the dot have disappeared. This happens
because we have changed the order of the numbers in the point
when joining the segments.
l) Use Display, Point, Numbers to redisplay numbers.
m) Finally use Segment, Join to close the wall by joining point 98 with
point 13.

4. Exercise with lev1665. str.

 Distance and azimuth between two points
 Gradient change between two points
 Delete point and rename
 Create DTM, for ceiling and floor, you find volumes in different
directions. Minino, maximum, interval

5. Exercise with lev1oo. str.

 Breaklines
 Join
 Consolidate
 Change strip number and save only that one
 Normalize segment
 Create surfaces and generate solids

6. Exercise ore-150 str

This exercise shows the advantages of digitalization offered by Surpac.

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7. Exercise with the string created in the previous step (at the end
use string math to invert the file)

In the status bar put the number of str and the angle to expand, then in
edit-segment - expand it with a height of 20 m and then create a DTM.
After fixing the DTM we take out the grey 3D.

5.3.3DTM's
DTM (digital terrain model) files are surface models. They are always
created from the string data, and once created it must be saved in the same
folder where the original string file from which it was created is located.
DTM's can represent surfaces or solids. The following figure shows some
uses of DTM'S
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Figure 13. Applications of DTM's

DTMs are made of triangles, with each point in each triangle matched to a
point in the original string file. Consequently DTM files are not valid
without the original string file. That is, a DTM file cannot be opened if the
original string file of the same name does not exist. Another rule applied to
DTMs is that these files cannot refer to themselves, i.e. a DTM cannot have
multiple Z values for a given XY coordinate.

The hierarchical order of DTMs is similar to that of strings. (See Figure

14and Figure 15)

Figure 14. Comparison between String component files and DTM's

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Figure 15. Hierarchical order of DTM's

The following graphic shows how Surpac generates the triangles and these
in turn are used to generate the trisolations, generating with these the
objects and thus finally the DTM (see Figure 16).

Figure 16. Conformation of triangles and trisolations for DTM'S

5.3.3.1 DTM exercises

In the development of the exercises, the explanation of breaklines with
pitdesing1.str, intersection of solids with lower triangles, generation of
volume of solids, intersection line between two DTMs will be made.

The files used for the development of the proposed DTM exercises are
located in the Introduction folder.

Before starting the exercises, it is recommended to name the introduction

folder as the working directory. To remember how a working directory is
named see the literal 5.2

1. Create DTM from topo1.str file, by creating DTM from layer then
save, and explain the triangulation method.

2. Find the volume of the DTM created in exercise 5 of string by cut

and fill
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3. Exercise with the ore.srt file, create DTM and

solid, and calculate volume.

4. Exercise with the soi1.str file, in which we are going to create a

limit file to restrict the soil1 file. Str, we go to the menu file tolls –
apply boundary string.

Exercise with sample.str, D1 is Arsenic, interpolate points (then as

an exercise 100 more are interpolated) in places where there is no
information, then create a DTM and color the attribute field with its
respective legend, after this outline and classify the arsenic values
with the file tools- classify string by numbers function

Exercise with eom_pit.dtm is the aeroestudios file, as a test we put

color division by band range
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With this same file we work with the different scales to visualize, by
view-data view options- viewscale factors.

5. Exercise on visualizing a string in the middle of the eom_pit.dtm

file Steps (Video)
 We have the eom_pit.dtm on the graphic screen
 Then in the status bar we name a str. At 500
 We create a new layer called fly.
 Then we digitize but sticking to the triangles.
 Then we remove the selectivity from the DTM.
 Then we soften the strin like this.

 Then we save the string fly

 Then we go to View > Data view options > View along a string.
And we fill out the form as follows

Section exercise through a defined axis, with the file pit_desing1.DTM and
adding section objects.
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5.4 GEOLOGICAL MODEL

Surpac employs the correlative database model which produces a database

structure with minimal redundant information while maintaining the
relationship between all data.
Several different types of databases can be accessed or created, including
ISAM, ISAMSQL, INFORMIX, ORACLE, PARADOX, DBASE IV, and
Microsoft ACCESS. PARADOX database is the recommended database type
as it performs faster than others and also supports binary hardware
platforms. No additional software is required to create a PARADOX
database.

The geological database module in Surpac is one of the most important tool
sets you can learn. Drilling records are the starting point of any mining
project and form the basis for each feasibility study and for estimating
mineral reserves.

Files that Surpac allows for the creation of Oracle, Paradox and Microsoft
Access databases, xls among others.

A geological database consists of a number of tables, each containing

different types of information. Each table contains a number of fields of
information. Each table will have several records which in turn have more
files with information. To create the database it is necessary to have two
mandatory tables, the Collar and the Survey, and for the rest of the
information there are optional tables which are not necessary for the three-
dimensional distribution of the perforations and are useful for giving
attributes along the perforations.

5.4.1Table Necklace
The information stored in the collar table describes the location of the
borehole collar, the maximum borehole depth and whether the drillhole
trace is linear or curved to be calculated when the borehole is recovered,
the hole_id which is the borehole identification with which Surpac will
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make the internal relationships between tables.

Optional collar information can also be stored for each survey. For
example, drilling date, drilling type or project name. The required fields in
a collar table are:

Figure 17. Required fields in the Collar table

5.4.2Survey Table

The Survey table provides the borehole deviation information used to

calculate the borehole coordinate trace. Required fields include, borehole
depth at which the deviation was taken, borehole toe and borehole
azimuth. For a vertical borehole, which has not been sidetracked, the depth
could be the same as the collar table's “max_depth” field, dip of –90 and
azimuth of 0. The y, xyz fields are used to store the calculated coordinates
of each deviation. Optional fields for this table may include other
information taken from the points such as center offset and orientation.
The required fields in a survey table are: the hole_id, the drill hole
coordinates, the drill hole azimuth and its dip which shows the different
angle changes along the drill hole.
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Figure 18. Mandatory fields in the Survey table

5.4.3 Optional tables

This type of table stores information such as the geology of the drilling and
the results of laboratory analysis for the drilling samples, grades among
others. There are 3 types of optional tables that can be added to the
database:

1. Interval(depth from and depth to)

2. Point(depth to)
3. Discrete(point data)

Interval tables require the starting and ending depth of intervals, the fields
are called “depth_from” and “depth_to” respectively. Point tables require
only the depth where the sample was taken, the field is called “depth_to”.
The xyz fields are used to store the calculated coordinates of the sample
depths. Discrete sample tables are used to store information per point,
which has a unique “samp_id” and the position in the space of its X, Y, Z
coordinates. The discrete sample table is ideally situated for storage and
further processing of soil geochemical samples. The mandatory fields that
the different optional tables must contain are shown hereFigure 19.
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Figure 19. Mandatory fields of the different types of

optional tables

The most commonly used icons for generating databases are presented in
the following graph:

Board 5. Useful icons on the geological database toolbar

Open database
Close database
Sample drillhole styles
Show soundings
Complete unextended hole
Previous Section
Next Section
Reverse View Direction
Zoom Plane
Refresh Drillholes
Identify Drillhole
Edit Drillhole
End Section Mode

5.4.3.1 Database exercises

The files used for the development of the proposed database exercises are
located in the Database folder for exercise 1, the file for this is located in
the Introduction folder.

Before starting the exercises, it is recommended to name the introduction

folder as the working directory. To remember how a working directory is
named see the literal 5.2

1. Topo Fix Exercise (topo.str file) normalize segments create DTM,

contour and re-normalize.

2. Creation of the database with the collar, survey, geology and simple
tables.

a. Creating a database in Access

b. mapping the database.
c. Then we created the stiles table for the marble and the sterile
d. We display the perforations with the different colors of the types
of lithology
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e. Then we extract the composite of the drilling qualities database-

composito-downhole

The field that says composite length shows us how often we find the
intervals for defining the values of that perforation, in other words it is the
distance of the points that are created with descriptors.

3. Exercise in creating a geological model from a drilling database

a. Now we need to create the roof and floor of the boreholes for the
geological model. We created these using database-composite-
composite by geology.
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4. Creating the quality string

a. We extract the composite of the drilling qualities database-
composito-downhole

The field that says composite length shows us how often we find the
intervals for defining the values of that perforation, in other words it is the
distance of the points that are created with descriptors. This string is the
one we are going to interpolate within the block model.
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5.5 BLOCK MODEL

Figure 20. Block model

GOALS

 Become familiar with the Surpac block modeling module and the
concept of block modeling.

The block model is a form of spatial-reference database that provides a

means for modeling a 3-D body from point and interval data such as those
in a drill hole sample. It is a method of estimating volume, tonnage, and
average grade of a 3-D body from scarce drilling data.

Figure 21. Block model menu bar displayed.

Board 6. Useful toolbar icons block modeling

Open Block Model
Closed Block Model
Show Block Model
Add a New Constraint Graph
Remove last Constraint Graph
Remove all constraint graphs
Edit Block Model Restriction

Block Edge and Face Visibility

Add shear plane constraint
Remove shear plane restriction
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Coloring Model by Attributes

Remove color from Blocks
Add attribute to Block Model
Delete Attribute from Block Model
Edit Block Model Attribute
Block Mathematics
Identify Block Values
Block Model Status

5.5.1Attributes

Records in the Block Model are related to blocks. These are cubic
partitions of the modeled space and are created dynamically according to
the operations performed on the Block Model. Each block contains
attributes for each of the properties to be modeled. Properties or
attributes can contain strings of numeric or alphanumeric values. Each
block is defined by its geometric centroid and its dimensions on each axis.
Blocks can be of different sizes defined by the user once the block model
has been created.

Figure 22. Block Model Menu Bar

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5.5.2Constraints

All functions of the Block Model will be developed with restrictions. A

constraint is a combination of one or more spatial objects into selected
blocks. Objects that can be used in constraints are planes, DTM's, solids,
closed strings, and block attribute values. Constraints can be saved to files
for quick re-use and can themselves be used as components of other
constraints.

Figure 23. Constraints menu options

5.5.3Estimation

Once the Block Model has been created and all its attributes defined, they
must be filled in with some estimation method. This is achieved by
estimating and assigning attribute values from sample data that have XYZ
coordinates and the value of the attribute of interest. The estimation
methods that can be used are:
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Board 7. Estimation methods

Nearest Assigns the value of the closest point sample to the
neighbor block
Inverse of Assign values to the block using the inverse
Distance distance estimator
Assign Assign an explicit value to the blocks in the Model
Values
Ordinary Assign values to the block using Kriging with
Kriging parameters from a variogram developed in a
Geostatistical study
Kriging Functions involved with a probabilistic distribution
Indicator of
the law of the block obtained from the kriging of the
indicators
Assign by Maps data from the description fields of closed
String segments to attribute values of blocks that are
contained within these segments extended in the
direction of one of the main axes (X, Y or Z)
Import Assigns values to the block from delimited or fixed
Centroids format data in a text file

5.5.3.1 Model Block Exercises

The files used for the development of the proposed block model exercises
are located in the Model_blocks folder.

Before starting the exercises, it is recommended to name the introduction

folder as the working directory. To remember how a working directory is
named see the literal 5.2

1. Block model exercise

a. Create a block model
b. Deploy the block model
c. Create constraints to this block model, based on the todo.dtm
file
d. Generate the density attribute to the block model
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e. Make a block model volume report and

compare it with the volume calculation performed in the string
exercises
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LITERATURE

The course is based on the experience of the instructors and

complementary bibliography such as software manuals:

 Surpac 5.0 Manual

 Surpac 5.1 Manual

 Surpac 6.03 Manual

 Surpac 6.13 Manual