Creating Surfaces

Introduction

The surface files on MiningMath are a set of points (Figure 1), which are aligned with blocks centroids on X and Y axes (Figure 2). The easiest way to avoid any error message is by using a topography surface created by MiningMath on the Data Validation, for instance, and then manipulating only the Z coordinates.

Figure 1: Point set file generated by MiningMath which corresponds to the topography surface.

Figure 2: The points aligned with the block centroids on the X and Y axes.

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Usually, the designed surfaces on traditional mining CADs are based on contour/drawn lines and point triangularizations (Figures 3 and 4). Therefore, they are continuous figures which can not be recognized on MiningMath.

Figure 3: Common designed surface file generated by a Mining Package.

Figure 4: Point triangularization done to generate surfaces on the CAD of Mining Packages.

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Here, it’s the step-by-step to create surfaces on MiningMath:

Import the TopographySurface.csv (Figure 5), which is a grid of points, in the CAD of your Mining Package. The CSV file mentioned might be obtained by validating scenarios or any other execution on MiningMath.
Manipulate only the Z coordinates and project them in a way that fits your needs. There are 3 main options at this step:
- Use a polyline (Figure 6) to draw the region, select the points inside the polygon drew, and find the option on your Mining Package which allows you to place them at the elevation that you want.
- Use your triangularized designed surface (Figure 7) by placing it on your CAD viewer along the TopographySurface.csv generated by MiningMath. Select the point set imported in your CAD and find the option on your Mining Package which allows you to project all points at the same elevation of your designed surface (Figure 8).
- Using only Excel or any spreadsheet program. Open the TopographySurface.csv, filter the regions in X and Y that you want to change the elevation and manipulate them.

Figure 5: Import the Topography surface generated by MiningMath at your Mining Package.

Figure 6: Draw a polyline and project the elevation inside it at the elevation that you wish.

Figure 7: Place your designed surface along with the topography surface generated by MiningMath at your Mining Package.

Figure 8: Place all the points at the same elevation of your designed surface.

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Export the modified point set (Figure 9) as a CSV using a different name. Open the file on excel or the notepad to make sure that the header is correct (Figure 10) before importing on MiningMath since it is pretty common that these exported come along with meaningless information that can interfere with the importation.

Main differences

Figure 11: Topography point set and a designed surface.

Figure 12: Processing plant area to be restricted.

Figure 13: Surface restricting the processing plant area.

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Restrict Mining

Select the points in the area that should be restricted, place them at the highest elevation of the topography, and set rest of them at the bottom.
Use as a restricted mining surface.

Figures 11 through 13 illustrate the process.

Note: The X and Y coordinates must remain the same.

Figure 14: Topography point set and a designed surface.

Figure 16: Surface which can force the desired shape at any time.

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Force Mining

Choose the points inside the area you want to force mine, place them at the elevation that you wish, and let the rest of them at the topography.
Use as a force mining surface.

Figures 14 through 16 illustrate the process.

Note: The X and Y coordinates must remain the same.

Figure 17: Topography point set and a designed surface.

Figure 18: Exactly pit design to be achieved.

Figure 19: Surface of Force+Restrict mining to achieve pre-defined shape.

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Reaching an exact surface

Define your polygons or use designed surfaces, by following the methodology presented in 2. Creating surfaces Step-by-step.
Use as a force and restrict the mining surface.

Figures 17 through 19 illustrate the process.

Note: The X and Y coordinates must remain the same.

MiningMath

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Creating Surfaces

Introduction