Lecture 10 Design of Rough Draft Stage Pits ©2010 Dr. B. C. Paul Note – These Slides contain numerous screen shots from the program MineSight® developed.

Lecture 10 Design of Rough Lecture 10 Design of Rough Draft Stage PitsDraft Stage Pits

©2010 Dr. B. C. Paul©2010 Dr. B. C. Paul

Note – These Slides contain numerous screen shots from the program Note – These Slides contain numerous screen shots from the program MineSight® developed by Mintec Inc in Tucson Arizona. The concepts being MineSight® developed by Mintec Inc in Tucson Arizona. The concepts being presented are regarded as part of the body of “common knowledge” to those presented are regarded as part of the body of “common knowledge” to those

schooled in Surface Mine planning and can be found in parts in many schooled in Surface Mine planning and can be found in parts in many surfacing mining texts and articles as well as in training materials prepared by surfacing mining texts and articles as well as in training materials prepared by

Mintec for use with their computer program.Mintec for use with their computer program.

What We HaveWhat We Have

We have a Block Model of Our Ore ReservesWe have a Block Model of Our Ore Reserves We have an outline of an ultimate pit that identifies those We have an outline of an ultimate pit that identifies those

blocks likely to be economic for recovery by surface miningblocks likely to be economic for recovery by surface mining We have a series of pit surfaces designed to encompass We have a series of pit surfaces designed to encompass

subsets of our ultimately minable ore that go roughly from subsets of our ultimately minable ore that go roughly from the most to least valuable orethe most to least valuable ore

We have an idea of how we will expand the pit.We have an idea of how we will expand the pit. It is unlikely that those stage pits we have at this point It is unlikely that those stage pits we have at this point

actually represent minable geometriesactually represent minable geometries What we will try to do now is to create Minable Pit What we will try to do now is to create Minable Pit

Geometries with the “Pit Expansion” tool in MineSightGeometries with the “Pit Expansion” tool in MineSight– In the old days you had to do this with exhaustive hand drawingsIn the old days you had to do this with exhaustive hand drawings

Take A Look at the Initial Pit We Take A Look at the Initial Pit We Plan on Developing with Top Down Plan on Developing with Top Down

MiningMining

Use the MineSight Query Function to Use the MineSight Query Function to Find out How Deep the Bottom isFind out How Deep the Bottom is

Click on theQuery Button(the QuestionMark)

Now Click on the Bottom of the PitNow Click on the Bottom of the Pit

The QueryScreen gives youA run-down on thatPoint including itsElevation.

(Make sure youLook at the Pit33Elevation)

I Jump to a 2D View at about 2400 I Jump to a 2D View at about 2400 metersmeters

My unmined surfaceIs at about 2670Feet about 300Meters in 15 meterIncrements is20 benches.(It would be handyTo know how manyBenches to haveMy pit expansionTool to set up asWe will see).

Pull Down the Engineering Tools Pull Down the Engineering Tools Menu and Pick the Pit Expansion Menu and Pick the Pit Expansion

ToolTool

It Wants Me to Name The Geometry It Wants Me to Name The Geometry Object it will store my pit inObject it will store my pit in

Click open afterNaming the object

The Pit Expansion Dialog Comes OnThe Pit Expansion Dialog Comes On

Set Up the Bottom Trace of Your PitSet Up the Bottom Trace of Your Pit

We will trace theContour outlineFor a pit “bottom”Click the DigitizeRadio Button.

Type in 2405 (weWant the contoursTo hit benchElevations in theBlock model.

Check of close toClose the lineYou will trace

Click add and thenTrace the line.

Digitize around the initial pit outlineDigitize around the initial pit outlineand right click to end the operationand right click to end the operation

Set The ExpansionSet The Expansion

Make sure we start on theSame level

I’ve picked 24 benchesWhich I know will go upAbove the surface (becauseI used Query to checkSurface elevations beforeI ever started this)

Click Over to the Required TabClick Over to the Required TabSet the starting elevation (2405 in ourCase)

Set the bench height (15 meters in ourCase)

Set the Toe to Crest Slope and Over-AllPit slope

Click the radio button to use the slopes toControl bench geometry

Click buttons to tell the pit to expandUpward and outward

Click Preview to see if this looks good

The Computer Instantly Projects 24 The Computer Instantly Projects 24 Benches Upward and OutBenches Upward and Out

Click Apply if youLike it. (Or CancelIf you say – oh CrudThat’s not what IHad in mind).

The Color ChangesThe Color Changes

I’m going to exitThe pit expansionTool while IConsider.

The Computer Wants to Confirm Our The Computer Wants to Confirm Our Intent to Exit the Expansion ToolIntent to Exit the Expansion Tool

I’m going toconfirm

It Asks Me If I Want to Make A Full It Asks Me If I Want to Make A Full Surface of My Pit instead of just Surface of My Pit instead of just

ContoursContoursSaying yes is easyAnd quick.

I’m going to declineFor right nowBecause I’m stillA little concernedAbout pit depth(I’m not to theProjected bottom)And I want myContours and surfaceIn separate files.

My Next Issue – The Pit BottomMy Next Issue – The Pit Bottom

I know my pit actually was projected to go I know my pit actually was projected to go down 4 more benches down 4 more benches (Because I used that Query to find out (Because I used that Query to find out

where it was before I ever started)where it was before I ever started)

– I didn’t start there because the bottom got a little I didn’t start there because the bottom got a little square and I had a more even shape starting square and I had a more even shape starting further upfurther up

– I’m also not sure how far down I want to go I’m also not sure how far down I want to go because I want to have practical room for because I want to have practical room for moving equipment at the bottom of the pit.moving equipment at the bottom of the pit.

I Can Also Use the Pit Expansion I Can Also Use the Pit Expansion Tool to Project DownTool to Project Down

I restart my pitExpansion toolAnd this time setIt to copy anExisting line toUse to project from

I Also Reset for Just 4 Pit Bench I Also Reset for Just 4 Pit Bench LevelsLevels

I Click Add and then pick the bottom I Click Add and then pick the bottom contour at the toe of my bottom contour at the toe of my bottom

benchbench

A Right Click at theEnd confirms mySelection isComplete.

I Go to My Required TabI Go to My Required Tab

I of course set my2405 elevation andMy pit slopes butThe new thing isI set radio buttonsTo expand

Downward

And Inward

A Preview Click Shows the A Preview Click Shows the Expansion Going DownExpansion Going Down

Now I decideWhether that isA practicalAmount of space

If not I wouldCancel and goBack to theExpansionScreen and setFor less than 4Benches down.

I’m going to applyIn this example.

I’m Going to Exit Expansion Without I’m Going to Exit Expansion Without Making a SurfaceMaking a Surface

I’m going to createA separateGeometry objectFor my roughPit surface(I call it roughBecause I still haveNot dealt withRoads)

Using Data ManagerI will go thePull down file menu

Highlight New andThen pick geometryObject from theSide menu

Yes I Have to Name That ObjectYes I Have to Name That Object

Now I’m Going to Get Ready to Put Now I’m Going to Get Ready to Put the Pit Surface in My Surface Objectthe Pit Surface in My Surface Object

I already clickedOn my new surfaceObject – then rightClicked it andPicked edit fromThe pop-up menu(You can tell causeMy surface file isNow a goldenOpen box)

Now I click on myContours file – rightClick to pop upThe menu and goTo the select option.

(I’m going to select the contours for making my pit surface)

Now I Will Use the Triangulate Now I Will Use the Triangulate Surface ToolSurface Tool

Go to SurfaceAnd drop theMenu

Pick triangulateSurface with theSelection(ie – thoseContour lines IJust picked).

It Asks Me If I Want to Use the Open It Asks Me If I Want to Use the Open Edit Object or Create AnotherEdit Object or Create Another

I already haveMy surface objectOpen and readyTo go so I willSay Ok

I Triangulates a Pit Surface for Me!I Triangulates a Pit Surface for Me!

I Want a Solid Surface – Not a I Want a Solid Surface – Not a Bunch of TrianglesBunch of Triangles

Click on my object

Right Click to popUp the menu

Highlight and leftClick properties

The Object Properties Window The Object Properties Window OpensOpens

I click the faces onlyRadio button

And then click Ok

I’ll Admire My Work of ArtI’ll Admire My Work of Art

Of Course I See One Little ProblemOf Course I See One Little Problem

I’ve got a bunchOf benchesHovering in theAir - I don’t thinkSo!

I Will Have My Surfaces Clip Each I Will Have My Surfaces Clip Each Other and Give Me One Integrated Other and Give Me One Integrated

SurfaceSurface For My initial set upI made sure myOriginal unminedSurface and myNew pit surfaceWas turned on.

I also created a newOpen edit objectFor my mergedSurface.

Now I will prepare toUse the intersectSurface tool.I drop down the menuUnder surface andPick Intersect SurfaceTool

Up Comes The Tool Control WindowUp Comes The Tool Control Window

I need to pick theSurfaces to workWith

The blue wormMeans to pick fromThe viewer

The Red Box meansYou will pick themFrom the DataManager file list.

I’m going to pickThem in the viewer

Pick My Primary SurfacePick My Primary Surface

Left click theBlue worm andThen left clickAnywhere on myUnmined surface

The pretty yellowBox surroundsMy selection

I will next rightClick my mouseTo signal theCompletion of mySelection.

After My Right ClickAfter My Right Click

My surface nameAppears in thePrimary groupLine

And the yellowBox turns blue

Now I get readyTo pick myPit surface byLeft clicking theBlue worm forThe secondarySurface.

Left Click the Pit Surface, Right Click Left Click the Pit Surface, Right Click to Complete the Selectionto Complete the Selection

The Output optionsBecome black(instead of gray)Meaning they areNow available

Set the RadioButtons to mergeThe Surfaces

And have theSurfaces cut eachOther and saveThe union of whatIs left.

Click Preview to Check Out that the Click Preview to Check Out that the Result is What You Had in MindResult is What You Had in Mind

If Satisfied Click ApplyIf Satisfied Click Apply

The where wouldYou like to put thisScreen comes up

It can go in theOpen edit object(which I haveReady)

Or if I had been lessPrepared I couldHave it create aNew object nameFor me on the fly.

When I’m readyClick Ok

My Finished Wire Frame Surface My Finished Wire Frame Surface AppearsAppears

I’m not satisfiedWith my display

I Tried to Turn Off My Surfaces that I I Tried to Turn Off My Surfaces that I Didn’t Want to SeeDidn’t Want to See

But the blastedProgram won’tTurn it off.

When this happensThe program isUsually waiting forYou to doSomething.

The almostUniversal solution1- Right click toFinish what youAre doing2- Click the weirdSave icon.

Yup It Wanted Me to Save My WorkYup It Wanted Me to Save My Work

I turn off theOther surfaces

And go to theProperties of myMerged surfaceAnd set it toDisplay facesInstead of a wireFrame.

Now isn’t that justSo neat to lookAt!

So What Have I Done and What Am So What Have I Done and What Am I Trying to Do?I Trying to Do?

I used MSOPIT to map out a series of nested I used MSOPIT to map out a series of nested shells that targeted my best ore first and then shells that targeted my best ore first and then worked down to poorer oreworked down to poorer ore

I figured out what sequence I wanted to go in.I figured out what sequence I wanted to go in. Then because the MSOPIT shells were not quite Then because the MSOPIT shells were not quite

practical I used them as a map and tried to draw in practical I used them as a map and tried to draw in my stage pits roughly using the pit expansion tool.my stage pits roughly using the pit expansion tool.

Of course at this point I have only got my first pit Of course at this point I have only got my first pit drawn in.drawn in.– I’ll next go through a series of push-backsI’ll next go through a series of push-backs– (Yup – Its drawing time again)(Yup – Its drawing time again)

Looking At My Next 2 PushbacksLooking At My Next 2 Pushbacks

This areaIs pushback#2

For those who want to know how I did this – Here isA detour

View MagicView Magic On turned on the surfaces I wanted to seeOn turned on the surfaces I wanted to see

– Pit #10 (my expansion to pit)Pit #10 (my expansion to pit)– Merged Pit Surface (which I just recently created)Merged Pit Surface (which I just recently created)– I turned Off other surfacesI turned Off other surfaces

On my merged surfaces I clickedOn it and then right clicked toPop up the menu

Then I picked properties

On the Object Properties DialogBox I picked the surfaces tab

Then I checked off transparencyAnd then used the arrows to workUp to 62% (which worked wellFor my view)

Since I Will Be Increasing Depth I Since I Will Be Increasing Depth I Need to Know Where the Bottom isNeed to Know Where the Bottom is

I’ll use Query

Click ?

Click bottom

Read elevation ofPit 10 surface

2195

I Have a Problem with a Simple Pit I Have a Problem with a Simple Pit Expansion from the Bottom FittingExpansion from the Bottom Fitting

The edge did notPush out as muchAs it should

I missed someBenches

I’ll cancel my pitExpansion and lookFor places whereMy benches pushout

The Pit Also Pushes Out at Several The Pit Also Pushes Out at Several Distinct PointsDistinct Points

This push out isAt 2270(up 5 benchesFrom the bottom)

There is another distinct push out There is another distinct push out one more bench upone more bench up

2285 meters

And Another Distinct Push out up 6 And Another Distinct Push out up 6 more benches more benches

I’ll Try My Pit Expansion AgainI’ll Try My Pit Expansion Again

I’ve created a stagePit 2 contoursObject

I’ve set the viewedTo 2D at the 2200Meter level.

Now I’ll start thePit expansion tool

I’ll Digitize in My Pit Bottom on 2195I’ll Digitize in My Pit Bottom on 2195

I’m also set toExpand 5 benchesUp which is whereI know I need toDeal with the firstBench that pushesOut.

I’m Going to be Working Back to A I’m Going to be Working Back to A Final Pit Slope So I Set that Under Final Pit Slope So I Set that Under

RequiredRequired

Oh –by theFrustrating wayWhen I completedMy base string itDisappeared(reason it was on2195 but my 2DView was on 2200)

When I Expand Up Those 5 Levels it When I Expand Up Those 5 Levels it Looks Like a Good FitLooks Like a Good Fit

I am cutting intoA nose of rockThe computerSaid was lowOn grade

I probably to notWant to leaveLittle noses ofRock stickingOut for slopeStability reasons

Now Lets Get to That Level Where Now Lets Get to That Level Where One of the Benches Pushes OutOne of the Benches Pushes Out

I’m going to “EditMy Base String” toHandle this pushOut of a bench.

Another thing I didWas to createAnother horizontalGridset with gridsEvery 15 meters toMatch the benches.I then attached thatTo the viewer so myViewing would beEasier.

It Ask Me What I Want to Edit on It Ask Me What I Want to Edit on What LevelWhat Level

They had a prettyGood idea I wouldWant to edit theCurrent level andMove to the toe forThe next benchGoing up becauseThat is the default

Click Ok

The Pit Expansion Menu Shuts The Pit Expansion Menu Shuts Down but the Point and Polyline Down but the Point and Polyline

Menus are AvailableMenus are AvailableI’m going to usePoint

Move

To move points onThe toe of the nextBench out to whereThey need to be.

I Drag Out the Points to Fit the I Drag Out the Points to Fit the pushed out benchpushed out bench

To finish myEffort I

1- Right Click MyMouse (to tell it I’mThrough movingPoints)

2- I click on theWeird save iconTo save the work

Whenever theProgram staresAt you and won’tLet you do anythingTry right click save

My Base String is Now MovedMy Base String is Now Moved

I set it to expandUp 1 level(because I knowThere is anotherPush out one benchUp)

Human interestNote that the programKeeps track ofMy base stringExpansion historyAnd shows me whereMy other base stringsAre located.

Select My Shifted Base String for the Select My Shifted Base String for the ExpansionExpansion

I clicked copy

Then I clickedAdd

Then I clicked onThe base stringI will use for theExpansion.

Yes it turned aPretty yellow toShow what wasPicked.

I Click Preview, Check it Out, and I Click Preview, Check it Out, and then Click Apply When I Like It.then Click Apply When I Like It.

I Jump Up One Bench Level to See I Jump Up One Bench Level to See Where the Extra Push-out is.Where the Extra Push-out is.

Note I have resetThe viewer 2D toThe next benchLevel up

Note the programNow has 2 baseStrings in theHistory.

I Use the Edit Strings – Point – Move I Use the Edit Strings – Point – Move Trick and Move My Toe Out to The Trick and Move My Toe Out to The

BenchBench

I Now Copy My Modified Base String I Now Copy My Modified Base String and Expand Up 6 Benchesand Expand Up 6 Benches

Yup It Looks Like I’m Getting a Good Yup It Looks Like I’m Getting a Good Fit On My Way Up This TimeFit On My Way Up This Time

Now I Have to Push My Base String Now I Have to Push My Base String Out Again to Get a Bench That Out Again to Get a Bench That

Pushes outPushes outRemember I set my2D viewer plane toThe bench level IWas working on

I picked edit string

Then I used the pointMenu

I used the pointFunction to movePoints on the baseString out to benchTrace from myMSOPIT

I Thought Expanding up 15 Benches I Thought Expanding up 15 Benches Would Get Me Above the SurfaceWould Get Me Above the Surface

It didn’tI could haveAvoided the problemBy doing a queryBefore I started soI would have knownHow high theSurface was justLike I new howMany benches toExpand up betweenPush outs.

I Go to the Top of My Pit and Pick I Go to the Top of My Pit and Pick the Highest Toe to Do One More the Highest Toe to Do One More

ExpansionExpansion

Oh Ya – This is WorkingOh Ya – This is Working

There is My Pit 2 SurfaceThere is My Pit 2 Surface

Well actually notQuite – rememberI still have myPhase 1 pit and theCurrent topo surfaceI need to mergeInto(If your thinking I’mAbout to use myIntersect surfacesTool again you areRight).

You canSee whereMy nextPush back willBe.

Note in a Few Places My Original Pit Note in a Few Places My Original Pit Expands Out beyond by Stage 2 PitExpands Out beyond by Stage 2 Pit

I’m going to haveTo use surfaceIntersections toCapture this.

A Technical DissatisfactionA Technical Dissatisfaction

Skinning back theBenches on thisSide is really toSmall for a goodPush back – ICould argue I needTo redo the pit soThe east side ofThe pit was in the45 degree wall

What Should HappenWhat Should Happen

The wall needs to be here.

Of course this nowMakes this bottomTo small forEquipment

If I start the pit onThe 2270 Level thenI won’t have anUnworkable bottom

I Start on 2270 This Time Digitizing a I Start on 2270 This Time Digitizing a Base String that Will Fall inside My Base String that Will Fall inside My

Initial Pit on the East SideInitial Pit on the East Side

I Set for The Steeper Final SlopeI Set for The Steeper Final Slope

I Expand Up One Bench and Modify I Expand Up One Bench and Modify the Base String for the Bench at the Base String for the Bench at 2285 to Push Out to the West2285 to Push Out to the West

I Preview My Expansion Up 6 I Preview My Expansion Up 6 BenchesBenches

Youch! Look atThat unstableNose of rock

Cancel and letsFix the base string

Now That’s More Like ItNow That’s More Like It

Looking on 2D Up Six Level Where Looking on 2D Up Six Level Where the Benches Push Out Againthe Benches Push Out Again

Note that myNew pit is indeedInside myInitial pit(thus keepingMe from assumingA tiny infeasiblePush back to theEast)

I Edit My Base String Out to Where I Edit My Base String Out to Where the Bench is Projected by Pit 10the Bench is Projected by Pit 10

I Expand Up Past the SurfaceI Expand Up Past the Surface

Note that myStage 2 pit hasStayed insideMy initial pit onThe east side.

I Triangulate My Stage 2 Pit and I Triangulate My Stage 2 Pit and Prepare to Use the Intersect Prepare to Use the Intersect

Surfaces ToolSurfaces Tool

I Set Up for My Intersect Surfaces I Set Up for My Intersect Surfaces ToolTool

I’ve created aGeometry objectFor my initialMerged surface

I will merge myStage 2 pit withMy original topo(I’ll clip off thosePit levels thatAre hovering in The air.)

I Activate My Intersect Surfaces ToolI Activate My Intersect Surfaces Tool

Remember it is onThe SurfacesPull Down Menu

I Pit My Surfaces and Preview the I Pit My Surfaces and Preview the MergeMerge

My primary surfaceIs the original topo

My secondarySurface is myUnedited stage 2Pit surface

I’m going to mergeSurfaces

And I will have theSurfaces cut eachOther so what everIs the lowest is saved

Step One Looks LovelyStep One Looks Lovely

But we rememberWe have actuallyMined some rockAway out hereIn the initial pit(Time for anotherRound with theMerge surfacesTool)

By Turning on the Initial Pit Surface I By Turning on the Initial Pit Surface I Can See the Part that is Already Cut Can See the Part that is Already Cut

AwayAway

I Set a Final Pit 2 Surface Object I Set a Final Pit 2 Surface Object and Activate the Intersect Surfaces and Activate the Intersect Surfaces

ToolTool

This is What My Stage 2 Pit Will This is What My Stage 2 Pit Will Look LikeLook Like

My next pushBack will pushOut here.

So I Will Go Top Down and Dig My So I Will Go Top Down and Dig My Initial PitInitial Pit

Then I Will Push Down and Out Then I Will Push Down and Out Toward the WestToward the West

So What Am I Doing HereSo What Am I Doing Here

I Use Lerch Grossman to get a profile of my I Use Lerch Grossman to get a profile of my ultimate pit.ultimate pit.

The I use a series of floating cones with price The I use a series of floating cones with price fakes or multi-val to set out a series of guide pits fakes or multi-val to set out a series of guide pits that take the best ore firstthat take the best ore first

Then I look at those stage pits to see which steps Then I look at those stage pits to see which steps actually outline push backs that are large enough actually outline push backs that are large enough to do with real equipmentto do with real equipment

Then I go in with the pit expansion tool and draw Then I go in with the pit expansion tool and draw in stage pits that actually correspond to feasible in stage pits that actually correspond to feasible push backspush backs– This gets me my mining sequenceThis gets me my mining sequence

Now It’s Your TurnNow It’s Your Turn

In Assignment 7 You Laid Out a Series of In Assignment 7 You Laid Out a Series of Guide Pits and an Expansion StrategyGuide Pits and an Expansion Strategy

In Assignment 8 you will use the pit In Assignment 8 you will use the pit expansion tool and lay out your pit at the expansion tool and lay out your pit at the end of 5 different stages of developmentend of 5 different stages of development– Ie – you will be drawing in 5 nested pits that Ie – you will be drawing in 5 nested pits that

follow your expansion strategy using the pit follow your expansion strategy using the pit expansion tool.expansion tool.