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Updated on March 22, 2024

Importing the Block Model

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Block Model File

To import the block model, select the option New Project on the left panel of MiningMath (Figure 1). 

Figure showing where to create a new project to import a new model.
Figure 1: Creating a new project to import a new model.

Afterwards, the file name input field is shown in red, indicating a mandatory field. (Figure 2) Browse for and select the CSV formatted file. Press Next to advance.

Figure 2: Importing a CSV model.

Project Naming

In the next window, shown in Figure 3, the Model Name must be entered.

Optionally, the destination folder (Model Folder) can be changed as well as the Scenario Name, and a Scenario Description can be added.

Figure 3: Defining a name for the model and the first scenario.

Imported Fields & Validation

Upon clicking Next, the following window will provide a statistical summary of information for the block model that will be imported (Figure 4).

Check the parameters carefully.

Figure showing the interface to validate your data.
Figure 4: Validating your data.

Geo-reference system, Origin, Dimension and Rotation

Upon clicking Next, the CSV file will be imported into MiningMath, and show data related to the block model geo-reference system, that can be only coordinates. The next steps are to place the rotation degrees (Azimuth rotation), origin accordingly with your mining package, and the block dimension as illustrated in Figure 5. The number of blocks is automatically calculated after the origin and dimensions are provided.

The origin of this project was x=3,475, y=6,480, and z=285, and the block dimensions were 30 meters in each coordinate.

Figure 4: Coordinates input.

Rotated models

MiningMath supports the use of block models that have been rotated using an Azimuth rotation (Figure 5). The amount of rotation degrees can be passed as depicted in Figure 6. After importing, you can see the rotated model in the Viewer tab (Figure 7).

Figure 5: Example of Azimuth rotation in the coordinate system.
Figure 6: Azimuth rotation depicted when hovering over the RZ field.
Figure 7: Example of rotated model in the viewer tab.

Field Type Assignment

When Next is selected, the following form will appear (Figure 8), showing correlations between the imported CSV file header and the available field types in MiningMath.

You must associate each imported column to one of the options located just above the table, for instance: block coordinates X, Y, and Z to Coord. X, Y, and Z field types. For more details on how you can correlate each column, access this link. You can also keep the original data from your previous Mining Package, by using this approach.

If you do not already have an Economic Value function, when importing your block model, you will be directed to the Scenario tab. Then, click on the Function tab to calculate your Economic Value function in the internal calculator as explained here.

Figure 8: Assigning each column to the proper field type.
Notes

  1. MiningMath has mandatory variables (columns) to be assigned to the proper Field Type:

    1) Coordinates (X, Y, Z).

    2) Average

    3) Economic Values (at least two)

  2. Validating data screen might be overlooked, but it is very important to validate one's data based on minimums and maximums. Read more.

  3. Each column imported should be assigned to the proper field type in order for MiningMath to treat each variable accordingly. Read more.

  4. Typically, MiningMath recognizes some columns automatically when their headers are similar to the Field Type name. Otherwise, the MiningMath will automatically assign them to the Field Type sum.

    To enable the Next button, the user needs to assign each one of the mandatory variables to their respective Field Type. 

Grade, Dimension and Origin

After clicking Next, it will demand grade units. As you can see in Figure 10, the copper grade has been defined as a percentage (%), while gold grade was defined as PPM, which stands for parts per million and, in turn, is equivalent to g/ton.

Figure 10: Informing block dimensions, origin, and grade units.

View Your Model and Surfaces

After filling in the required fields, the options View Model and Scenarios will be enabled. Before setting up your first scenario you can view it by clicking in the Viewer and Load scenario. Select all the tooltip options and click in load. This option also allows you to view surfaces created, just place them in the scenario folder before loading and do the first validation.

Evaluate your model

After importing your model, you can view it in the Viewer tab as depicted in Fig. 11-14. This should help you answer questions such as:

  1. Where are the high grades distributed?

  2. Does the process economic values, above zero, match with the regions identified in the last question?

  3. How are waste economic values distributed? Are maximum and minimum values reasonable when you compare them with the process?

Figure 11: Checking your model.
Figure 11: Checking your model.
Figure 12: Checking your model.
Figure 12: Checking your model.
Figure 13: Checking your model.
Figure 13: Checking your model.
Figure 14: Checking your model.
Figure 14: Checking your model.
Handling Data - Previous Formatting the Block Model Next - Handling Data Economic Values
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Importing the Block Model

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