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Product
Surpac™ 6.6.1
Last modified: Tuesday, 1 April 2014
 Table of Contents
Introduction 5
Requirements 5
Objectives 5
Workflow 5
Setting up for this tutorial 6
Setting the work directory 6
Task: Set the work directory 6
Displaying the toolbar and menubar 7
Task: Display the minedesign toolbar and menubar 7
A Simple Example 8
Creating a simple pit 8
Task: Create a simple pit design 8
Data preparation 20
Create ore outlines 20
Task: Create the ore outlines 20
Viewing Whittle outlines 26
Task: View Whittle outlines from the Surpac block model 26
Add slope values 36
Task: Add slope values to the block model 36
Load the outline and Whittle model 41
Task: Load the outline and Whittle model 41
Basic pit design tools 43
Task: Define the starting string 43
Task: Define the slope method 44
Task: Define a new ramp 44
Task: Expand by bench height and berm width 46
Task: Edit a pit design 52
Additional Pit Design Tools 56
Task: Restart a Pit Design 56
Task: Design a Switchback 57
Task: Create multiple benches 66
Creating a DTM of a pit design 69
Task: Clean pit design strings 69
Task: Create a DTM of a pit design 71
Intersect pit design with surface topography 74
Task: Intersect pit design and topography 74
Grade and tonnage calculations 77
Task: Create a block model constraint of material in a pit 77
 Task: Calculate Grade and Tonnage of Material in Pit 78
Waste dump design 82
Task: Design a waste dump 82
Task: Calculate dump volume 94
Introduction

Introduction
This tutorial demonstrates how to create pit and dump designs using Surpac.

Requirements
Before you begin this tutorial, you must have:

l basic knowledge of Surpac

It is recommended that you understand the procedures and concepts from the
Introduction tutorial.
l Surpac installed on your computer
l the data set accompanying this tutorial

Objectives
The objective of this tutorial is to allow you to create a pit design.

Workflow
The process described in this tutorial is outlined below:

l using string tools to create a simple pit design

l preparing data for use in basic pit design
l using pit design tools to create ramps, crests, toes, and berms
l creating switchbacks
l extending a pit design to a DTM surface
l calculating grade and tonnage of block model blocks within a pit design
l designing a waste dump

Note: This workflow demonstrates the steps in this tutorial. There are other ways to achieve a
result.

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Setting up for this tutorial Task: Set the work directory

Setting up for this tutorial

Setting the work directory
A work directory is the default directory for saving Surpac files. Files used in this tutorial are stored in
the folder <shared_files>\demo_data\tutorials\pit_design.
Where <shared_files> is the directory in which the Surpac shared files were installed.
In Windows 7, and Windows 8, the default path is
C: \Users\Public\GEOVIA\Surpac\66\demo_data\tutorials\pit_design.
Task: Set the work directory
1. In the Navigator, right-click the pit_design folder.
2. From the shortcut menu, select Set as work directory.

The name of the work directory is displayed in the title bar of the Surpac window.

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Setting up for this tutorial Task: Display the minedesign toolbar and menubar

Displaying the toolbar and menubar

Task: Display the minedesign toolbar and menubar
1. Right-click in the blank area next to the menus at the top of the Surpac main window.
2. From the shortcut menu choose Profiles > minedesign.

Tip: For more information on setting up profiles and customising menus and
toolbars, see the Introduction to Surpac tutorial.

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A Simple Example Task: Create a simple pit design

A Simple Example
Creating a simple pit
You will design a pit base around an ore zone at an elevation of 150, and then extend it up to an
elevation of 250 with a pit wall angle of 45 degrees.
Task: Create a simple pit design

1. Click Reset graphics .

2. Open ore150.str in Graphics.
You can see a horizontal slice of ore zones at an elevation of 150.

3. Choose Create > Digitise > Properties.

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A Simple Example Task: Create a simple pit design

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

5. Choose Create > Digitise > New point.

6. Click in Graphics to create points 1, 2, and 3 as shown.
Notes:
l Do not press ESC. You have not finished creating the string.
l Numbers 1, 2, and 3 are not displayed in Graphics. They are shown on the
images so you know the order in which to create the points.

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A Simple Example Task: Create a simple pit design

7. Right-click in Graphics and select Point.

8. Click three points at the northern end of the segment as shown, to create points 4, 5, and
6.

9. Choose Create > Digitise > By following a segment.

10. Click and hold down the left mouse button at point 7, then drag to point 8 and release.

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A Simple Example Task: Create a simple pit design

11. Click and hold down the left mouse button at point 9, then drag to point 10 and release.

12. Choose Create > Digitise > Close current segment.

The closed segment is displayed.

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A Simple Example Task: Create a simple pit design

Note: When you create closed segments in the XY plane (plan view), you will usually
create them in a clockwise direction. Clockwise segments are regarded as an area of
inclusion, and give expected results when you intersect them with other clockwise
segments.
13. Choose File > Save > string/DTM.
14. Enter the information as shown, and then click Apply.

15. Click Reset graphics .

16. Open pit150.str in Graphics.
17. Choose Display > Point > Numbers.
18. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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A Simple Example Task: Create a simple pit design

The numbered points on the segment are displayed.

Next, you will delete some points to make the outline more convex.
19. Set the selection mode to Select Point/Triangle.

20. Hold the CTRL key and click several points as shown.

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A Simple Example Task: Create a simple pit design

21. Right-click in Graphics to display a shortcut menu, and select Delete.

The renumbered segment is displayed.

Next, you will set the slope wall angle to 45 degrees.

22. Choose Pit design > Set slope gradient.

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A Simple Example Task: Create a simple pit design

23. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

The Design grade button displays the current design gradient. 

Next, you will set the string number for the top of the pit.
Note: This step is optional.
24. From the Status bar at the bottom of the Surpac window, click the Design string button
.
25. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

The Design string button displays the current design string number .
Next, you will expand the segment horizontally by a distance of 100. At an angle of 45
degrees, this will create a pit crest 100 meters above the base, at an elevation of 250.
26. Choose Edit > Segment > Expand/Contract.
27. Click anywhere in Graphics to select the segment for expanding.
28. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

29. Press ESC to finish expanding.

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A Simple Example Task: Create a simple pit design

The segments representing the top and bottom of the pit are displayed.

30. Hold down the right mouse button and drag down or to the left to zoom out.

31. Click the Plan View button .

32. Choose Display > Dynamic 2D Grid.
The pit strings and the Dynamic 2D grid are displayed.

This procedure can be useful for determining the limits of a block model. 
Next, you will create a DTM from this data.

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A Simple Example Task: Create a simple pit design

33. Choose Surfaces > Create DTM from Layer.

34. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

35. Choose Display > Hide grid.

36. Choose Display > 3D Grid.
37. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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A Simple Example Task: Create a simple pit design

38. To rotate the data, click and drag in Graphics.

The pit and 3D grid are displayed.

Next, you will save the DTM file.

39. Choose File > Save > string/DTM.
40. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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A Simple Example Task: Create a simple pit design

41. In the verification form, click Yes.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _01_simple_pit.tcl. You need to click Apply
on any forms presented.

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Data preparation Task: Create the ore outlines

Data preparation
Create ore outlines
Geological outlines are a good source of information when performing pit design. They can be
obtained from slicing a geological model (solid or wireframe) or taken from bench by bench
interpretations.
Task: Create the ore outlines
1. Connect to pitdesign.mdl.
2. Click the pitdesign icon on the Status bar, and choose Display.

3. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Data preparation Task: Create the ore outlines

The block model is displayed.

4. Choose Block model > Constraints > New graphical constraint.

5. Enter the information as shown, click Add, and click Apply.

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Data preparation Task: Create the ore outlines

The constrained block model is displayed.

6. Choose Block model > Display > Colour model by attribute.

7. In the Attribute to colour by, select gold and click Scan.
8. In the Ranges for colour selection, type "0,8,1;999" and click Refresh.
9. Click Apply.

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Data preparation Task: Create the ore outlines

The block model is coloured by gold grade.

10. Choose Planes > Quick planes.

11. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Data preparation Task: Create the ore outlines

12. Press F12 to move to the next plane.

13. Continue press F12 until you have viewed each plane.
Note: The planes you have created are temporary, and the data in each of the sections
you have viewed in Graphics is not saved in individual files. To save the data in the active
plane to a string file, you can choose Planes > Save section to string files. To save all
planes in a group, you would need to perform this function for each plane created. The
following steps use the section function in the block model module to create and save the
sections in a single function.
14. Choose Block model > Sections > Create.
15. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

16. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Data preparation Task: Create the ore outlines

17. Enter the information as shown, click Add, and click Apply.

18. The sections are written to new string files.

19. Click Reset graphics .
20. Hold CTRL and select all of the new section string files in the Navigator.
That is, select ore885.str, ore895.str, ore905.str, ore915.str, ore925.str, ore935.str,
ore945.str, ore955.str, ore965.str, ore975.str, ore985.str, and ore995.str.
21. Continue to hold CTRL and drag the files into Graphics.
The sections open in the same layer.

22. Choose File > Save > string/DTM.

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Data preparation Task: View Whittle outlines from the Surpac block model

23. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _02_create_ore_outlines.tcl. You need to
click Apply on any forms presented.

Viewing Whittle outlines

Task: View Whittle outlines from the Surpac block model

1. Click Reset graphics .

2. Connect to pitdesign.mdl.
3. Click the pitdesign icon on the Status bar, and choose Display.

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Data preparation Task: View Whittle outlines from the Surpac block model

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

The block model is displayed.

5. Choose Block model > Constraints > New graphical constraint.

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Data preparation Task: View Whittle outlines from the Surpac block model

6. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

7. Rotate the model in Graphics to view the data.

8. Choose Block model > Constraints > Remove all graphical constraints.
9. Choose Block model > Constraints > New graphical constraint.

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Data preparation Task: View Whittle outlines from the Surpac block model

10. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

The Whittle pit shells 16 and 28 are displayed.

11. Choose Block model > Display > Colour model by attribute.

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Data preparation Task: View Whittle outlines from the Surpac block model

12. Enter the information as shown, click Scan, and click Apply.

The two Whittle pit shells, 16 and 28, are displayed in different colours.

13. Choose Block Model > Block model > Export > Block faces to DTM.

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Data preparation Task: View Whittle outlines from the Surpac block model

14. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

15. Click the pitdesign icon on the Status bar, and choose Close.
16. Open pit28.dtm in Graphics, and rotate to view the pit.

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Data preparation Task: View Whittle outlines from the Surpac block model

17. Click Section view .

The data is displayed in section view.

18. Choose Display > 2D grid.

19. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Data preparation Task: View Whittle outlines from the Surpac block model

20. Choose Solids > Solids tools > Create sections.

21. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

This will give a vertical axis for slicing the DTM.

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Data preparation Task: View Whittle outlines from the Surpac block model

22. Enter the parameters as shown, and click Apply.

There are two results produced by the Slice Object function. The first result is a range of
string files called wmb805 to wmb1085 in increments of 10, which contain the extracted
horizontal sections. These files are saved to disk.  The second result is a layer called slice
which contains the extracted sections. If required, you can activate this layer and save all
the sections to a single file.

23. Click Reset graphics .

24. Hold CTRL and select all of the section files you have just created in the Navigator.

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Data preparation Task: View Whittle outlines from the Surpac block model

That is, select wmb885.str, wmb895.str, wmb905.str, wmb915.str, wmb925.str,

wmb935.str, wmb945.str, wmb955.str, wmb965.str, wmb975.str, wmb985.str,
wmb995.str, wmb1005.str, wmb1015.str, wmb1025.str, and wmb1035.str.
25. Continue to hold CTRL drag the files into Graphics.
26. The sections strings open in one layer.

27. Choose Edit > String > Renumber, and click a string in Graphics.
28. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

29. Choose File > Save > string/DTM.

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Data preparation Task: Add slope values to the block model

30. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _03_create_whittle_outlines.tcl. You need
to click Apply on any forms presented.

Add slope values

Task: Add slope values to the block model

1. Click Reset graphics .

2. Connect to pitdesign.mdl.
3. Click the pitdesign icon on the Status bar, and choose Display.
4. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

5. Open slo1.str in Graphics.

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Data preparation Task: Add slope values to the block model

6. The block model and slope string file are displayed.

7. Choose Display > Point > Attributes.

8. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

9. Open weathering contact.dtm in Graphics.

10. Choose View > Data view options > View by bearing & dip.
11. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Data preparation Task: Add slope values to the block model

The block model, slope string, and DTM surface are displayed.

12. Choose Block model > Attributes > New.

13. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Data preparation Task: Add slope values to the block model

14. Choose Block model > Estimation > Assign value from polygon.
15. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

16. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

17. Choose Block model > Display > Colour model by attribute.

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Data preparation Task: Add slope values to the block model

18. Enter the information as shown, click Scan, and click Apply.

The block model is coloured by face angle.

19. Choose File > Save > Block model.

20. Choose Block model > Display > View attributes for one block.
21. Click a block in Graphics.

Surpac™ 6.6.1 Page 40 of 96 Pit Design

Data preparation Task: Load the outline and Whittle model

The Block attributes form displays information similar to the following.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _04_add_slope_values_to_
blockmodel.tcl. You need to click Apply on any forms presented.

Load the outline and Whittle model

Task: Load the outline and Whittle model

1. Click Reset graphics .

2. Open ore_blocks.str in Graphics.
3. Open whittle_pit28.str in Graphics.
4. Connect to pitdesign.mdl.
5. Click Zoom all .

Surpac™ 6.6.1 Page 41 of 96 Pit Design

Data preparation Task: Load the outline and Whittle model

The ore outlines, pit, and model are displayed.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _05_load_outline_and_whittle_model.tcl.
You need to click Apply on any forms presented.

Surpac™ 6.6.1 Page 42 of 96 Pit Design

Basic pit design tools Task: Define the starting string

Basic pit design tools

Task: Define the starting string
In this task you will be designing from the bottom of the pit up so you will use a digitised string based
on information from the Whittle model. Remember, when designing the base of the pit, you must
take into account the minimum pit width.
Note: Before you attempt the steps in this procedure you must complete the previous task, Load
the outline and Whittle model, or run macro _05_load_outlines_and_model.tcl.

1. Choose View > Viewing planes > Create graphical sections.

2. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

3. Open bas880.str in Graphics.

4. Choose View > Zoom > Out.
5. In the Function Chooser, type HOF, and press ENTER.
The base is at an elevation of 880 and the blocks are between 880 and 890. For this
reason, if you leave Hide On you would not be able to see the base where it passes below

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Basic pit design tools Task: Define the slope method

the blocks. With Hide Off, you should be able to see the whole outline, as shown.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this section, run _06_load_base_string.tcl. You need to
click Apply on any forms presented.
Task: Define the slope method
Note: Before you attempt the steps in this procedure you must have completed the previous
tasks, Load the outline and Whittle model and Define the start string, or run macro _06_load_base_
string.tcl.

1. Choose Pit design > Select slope method.

2. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _07_define_slope_berm_width.tcl. You
need to click Apply on any forms presented.
Task: Define a new ramp
Note: Before you attempt the steps in this procedure you must have completed the previous
tasks, Load the outline and Whittle model, Define the start string, and Define the slope method.
Alternatively, you can run macro _07_define_slope_berm_width.tcl.

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Basic pit design tools Task: Define a new ramp

1. If bas880.str is not the active layer, right-click it in the Layers pane, and choose Make act-
ive.
2. In the Layers pane, right-click on ore_blocks.str and whitle_pit28.str, and clear Select-
able, to stop these layers being selected in Graphics.

3. In the Planes panel, double-click plane 885El in the BM_sections group.

4. Choose Pit design > New ramp.
5. Select the ramp points as shown.

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Basic pit design tools Task: Expand by bench height and berm width

6. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _08_define_new_ramp.tcl. You need to
click Apply on any forms presented.
Task: Expand by bench height and berm width
Note: Before you attempt the steps in this procedure you must have completed the previous
tasks, Load the outline and Whittle model, Define the start string, Define the slope method, and
Define a new ramp. Alternatively, you can run macro _08_define_new_ramp.tcl.

1. Choose Expand segment > By bench height.

2. Click on the string in Graphics.

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Basic pit design tools Task: Expand by bench height and berm width

3. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

4. The segment is expanded.

5. Choose Expand segment > By berm width, and click on the ramp.

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Basic pit design tools Task: Expand by bench height and berm width

6. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Basic pit design tools Task: Expand by bench height and berm width

7. The segment is expanded.

8. In the Planes panel, click Next plane .

9. Choose Expand segment > By bench height.
10. Click on the last part of the pit that was created.
11. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Basic pit design tools Task: Expand by bench height and berm width

The segment is expanded.

12. Choose Expand segment > By berm width.

13. Click on the last part of the pit that was created.

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Basic pit design tools Task: Expand by bench height and berm width

14. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

The segment is expanded.

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Basic pit design tools Task: Edit a pit design

15. Press ESC.

16. Zoom in on the top of the design as shown.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _09_expand_bench_height_berm_
width.tcl. You need to click Apply on any forms presented.
Task: Edit a pit design
Note: Before you attempt the steps in this procedure you must have completed the previous
tasks, Load the outline and Whittle model, Define the start string, Define the slope method, Define a
new ramp, and Expand by bench height and berm width. Alternatively, you can run macro _09_
expand_bench_height_berm_width.tcl.

1. Choose Display > Point > Markers.

2. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Basic pit design tools Task: Edit a pit design

3. Choose Edit > Point > Move.

4. Move the points to encompass the ore as shown.

5. In the Planes panel, click Next plane .

6. Choose Expand segment > By bench height.
7. Click the line for which you moved the points.
8. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Basic pit design tools Task: Edit a pit design

9. The section is expanded.

10. Choose File > Save > string/DTM.

11. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

12. Open pit910.str in Graphics.

13. In the Layers panel, right-click on bas880.str and choose Delete layer.
14. Choose File > Save > Graphics workspace.

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Basic pit design tools Task: Edit a pit design

15. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

16. Click Reset graphics .

17. Click the pitdesign icon on the Status bar, and choose Close.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _10_edit_design.tcl. You need to click
Apply on any forms presented.

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Additional Pit Design Tools Task: Restart a Pit Design

Additional Pit Design Tools

Task: Restart a Pit Design
Note: Before you attempt the steps in this procedure you must have completed the previous task,
Define the slope method, or have run macro_07_define_slope_berm_width.tcl.

1. Open pit910.swa in Graphics.

2. Use the Planes panel to make 905El the active plane.
3. Choose Pit design > New ramp.
4. Choose the ramp points in Graphics.

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Additional Pit Design Tools Task: Design a Switchback

5. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _11_restart_pit_design.tcl. You need to
click Apply on any forms presented.
Task: Design a Switchback
Instead of continuing the ramp around to the west side of the pit, you will keep the ramp on the east
wall. In order to do this you will need to insert a switchback.
Note: Before you attempt the steps in this procedure you must have completed the previous
tasks, Define the slope method and Restart a pit design, or have run macros _07_define_slope_
berm_width.tcl and _11_restart_pit_design.tcl.

1. Choose Expand segment > By berm width.

2. Click the segment in Graphics.

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Additional Pit Design Tools Task: Design a Switchback

3. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

Note: You are adding a switchback to this ramp, with an angle of 180 degrees and an
inner radius of 2.5 meters.

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Additional Pit Design Tools Task: Design a Switchback

The segment is expanded, and the switchback is added to the ramp.

4. Choose Edit > Point > Delete, and delete the points as shown.

5. Choose Expand segment > By bench height.

6. Click the segment in Graphics.

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Additional Pit Design Tools Task: Design a Switchback

7. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

The segment is expanded.

8. In the Planes panel, double-click 915El in the BM_sections group.

9. Choose Expand segment > By berm width.

10. Click the segment in Graphics.

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Additional Pit Design Tools Task: Design a Switchback

11. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Additional Pit Design Tools Task: Design a Switchback

The segment is expanded, and the switchback is added to the ramp.

12. Choose Expand segment > By bench height.

13. Click the segment in Graphics.
14. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

The segment is expanded.

15. In the Planes panel, click Next plane .

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Additional Pit Design Tools Task: Design a Switchback

16. Choose Expand segment > By berm width.

17. Click the segment in Graphics.

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Additional Pit Design Tools Task: Design a Switchback

18. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Additional Pit Design Tools Task: Design a Switchback

The segment is expanded, and the switchback is added to the ramp.

19. In the Layers pane, right-click ore_blocks.str and whittle_pit28.str and clear Visible, to
hide these layers in Graphics.

20. Click Zoom all .

21. Choose View > Viewing planes > Remove viewing / cutting planes.
22. Choose Display > Hide temporary markers.
pit910.str is the only data visible in Graphics.

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Additional Pit Design Tools Task: Create multiple benches

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _12_design_switchback.tcl. You need to
click Apply on any forms presented.
Task: Create multiple benches
Note: Before you attempt the steps in this procedure you must have completed the previous
tasks, Define the slope method, Restart a pit design, and Design a switchback. Alternatively, you can
run macro _12_design_switchback.tcl.

1. Choose Expand segment > Multi bench design.

2. Click the segment in Graphics.

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Additional Pit Design Tools Task: Create multiple benches

3. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

Benches from the current segment through to an elevation of 1000 are created.
4. In the Layers pane, right-click whittle_pit28.str, and select Visible.

5. In the Planes panel, double-click 885El in the BM_sections group.

6. Click Next plane , and move through all of the planes to view the design.
7. In the Layers pane, right-click whittle_pit28.str, and clear Visible.
8. Choose View > Viewing planes > Remove viewing / cutting planes.
9. Click Zoom all .

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Additional Pit Design Tools Task: Create multiple benches

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _13_multibench_design.tcl. You need to
click Apply on any forms presented.

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Creating a DTM of a pit design Task: Clean pit design strings

Creating a DTM of a pit design

This section describes how to clean your pit design strings before creating a DTM, and how to create
a DTM surface from the design.
Task: Clean pit design strings

1. Click Reset graphics .

2. Open pitdesign2.str.
3. Choose Edit > Layer > Clean.
4. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

5. Choose File tools > Check for common points.

This function adjusts any points which are close (based on user inputs) to any other
points so that they have exactly the same coordinates.

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Creating a DTM of a pit design Task: Clean pit design strings

6. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

7. Click Reset Graphics .

8. Open pitnew2.str.
9. Choose Edit > Layer > Clean.
10. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

Note: If you continue to have intersections, you may wish to clean them manually
using the string edit tools in Graphics.
11. When you are sure you have no intersections, save your file as pitdesign2.str

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Creating a DTM of a pit design Task: Create a DTM of a pit design

Task: Create a DTM of a pit design

1. Choose Surfaces > DTM File functions > Create DTM from string file.
2. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

3. Click Reset graphics .

4. Open pitdesign2.dtm.
5. Choose Display > Surface or solid with colour banding.

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Creating a DTM of a pit design Task: Create a DTM of a pit design

6. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

7. Choose Solids > Display > Condense colouring to give sharp boundaries to the colour
bands.

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Creating a DTM of a pit design Task: Create a DTM of a pit design

The pit with colour banding is displayed.

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Intersect pit design with surface topography Task: Intersect pit design and topography

Intersect pit design with surface topography

Task: Intersect pit design and topography
You will now expand the pit design past the surface topography.

1. Click Reset graphics .

2. If a block model is open, close it using Block model > Close.
3. Open top1.str in Graphics.
4. Select Display > Point > Attributes.
5. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

6. Open pit980.str in Graphics.

To intersect the design with the surface, you can extend the design above topography.

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Intersect pit design with surface topography Task: Intersect pit design and topography

7. Open pit1050.dtm in Graphics.

This has been created by using the pit design tools previously described to extend the
design from the 980 elevation so that it is above the topography.

8. Open top1.dtm in Graphics.

9. Open pit_topo_intersection.str in Graphics.
The line of intersection between the pit design and the topography was created using
Surfaces > Clip or Intersect DTMs > Line of intersection between DTMs.

10. Click Reset graphics .

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Intersect pit design with surface topography Task: Intersect pit design and topography

11. Open pit_design2.dtm and topo_outside_pit1.dtm in Graphics.

These DTM surfaces were created using Surfaces > DTM file functions > Clip DTM by
boundary string.

Note: To see all of the steps described in this task, run _14_intersect_design_and_
topo.tcl. You need to click Apply on any forms presented.

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Grade and tonnage calculations Task: Create a block model constraint of material in a pit

Grade and tonnage calculations

This section describes how to create a block model constraint of blocks within a pit design, and how
to generate a report of the tonnes and grade of material within the constraint.
Task: Create a block model constraint of material in a pit
In order to calculate grade and tonnage from a block model, you can create the constraint that
represents the material in the pit beforehand.

1. Open pitdesign.mdl.
2. Choose Block model > Block model > Display.
3. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

4. Choose Block model > Constraints > New graphical constraint.

5. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

Note: The constraint file pit_design2.con is created, which is a list of all blocks within
this constraint.
6. Choose Block model > Display > Colour model by attribute.

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Grade and tonnage calculations Task: Calculate Grade and Tonnage of Material in Pit

7. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

8. Spin the model around to see the blocks coloured by gold grade.
Most of the blocks are waste (gold=0), and are coloured dark blue.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _15_create_pit_constraint.tcl.
You need to click Apply on any forms presented.

Task: Calculate Grade and Tonnage of Material in Pit

1. Open pitdesign.mdl.
2. Choose Block model > Block model > Report.

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Grade and tonnage calculations Task: Calculate Grade and Tonnage of Material in Pit

3. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Grade and tonnage calculations Task: Calculate Grade and Tonnage of Material in Pit

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

5. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Grade and tonnage calculations Task: Calculate Grade and Tonnage of Material in Pit

6. The file pit_design2.not is displayed.

Note: Your report should be similar in format, but the numbers may not be exactly the
same.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _16_grade_and_tonnage.tcl.
You need to click Apply on any forms presented.

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Waste dump design Task: Design a waste dump

Waste dump design

This section will show you how to use Surpac to create a dump design and a digital terrain model
(DTM) of that design. You will then generate a volume report, and a bench volume report of material
that can be stored on each bench.
You will perform the dump design on the combined surface of the topography and the pit design. A
key objective of this exercise is to show you how to set up an all-cut ramp.
Task: Design a waste dump
1. Open pit_and_topo2.str in Graphics.
The pit and topography is displayed.

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Waste dump design Task: Design a waste dump

2. Open dcl1.str in Graphics.

The decline is displayed.

3. Open dtop1045.str in Graphics.

4. Rescale Graphics using a combination of window, zoom, and pan tools until the data
looks approximately like the following image:

The top of the dump is approximately 50 metres above the topography, at an elevation
of 1045 metres. The gradient of the centre line will be set during the dump design
process.

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Waste dump design Task: Design a waste dump

5. Choose Pit design > Select slope method.

6. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

7. Choose Pit design > Set slope gradient.

8. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.
The new design gradient is shown in the status bar at the bottom of the screen.

9. Choose Display > Point > Markers.

10. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

11. Choose Pit design > New ramp.

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Waste dump design Task: Design a waste dump

12. Select two points on the dump top, one on either side of the ramp centre line as shown.

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Waste dump design Task: Design a waste dump

13. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Waste dump design Task: Design a waste dump

14. Following the prompt, select the ramp centre line anywhere where there are no other
strings which you may accidentally snap to.
After selecting the ramp centre line, the dump top outline is modified slightly as shown in
the following image. This change is made to resolve geometry problems at the start of the
ramp.

Note: In this design you will only have one safety berm at 1025 metres in this dump.
15. Choose Expand string > To elevation, and click on the dump outline.
16. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

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Waste dump design Task: Design a waste dump

The display is updated, as shown.

You will now create a 10 metre berm at this elevation.

17. Choose Display > Point > Numbers.
18. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

19. Check the point numbers to identify overlapping and close points.
20. Choose Expand segment > By berm width.
21. Select string 2.

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Waste dump design Task: Design a waste dump

22. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

Now project the dump outline to the DTM of the topographic surface.
23. Choose Pit design > Load a DTM surface and load top1, leaving the display DTM at N.

24. Choose Expand segment > To DTM surface, and click the outline of the dump.

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Waste dump design Task: Design a waste dump

25. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

26. Choose Edit > Point > Delete.

27. Delete any points that are close to each other, overlapping, or unwanted.
The image below is displayed.

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Waste dump design Task: Design a waste dump

28. Choose Pit design > Display DTM surface offsets.

This will show the DTM offsets to check that the base of the Dump has been extended to
match the DTM surface.

29. Choose File > Save > string/DTM.

30. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

31. Choose Surfaces > DTM File functions > Create DTM from string file.

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Waste dump design Task: Design a waste dump

32. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

Next you will clip a hole in the topographic surface around the dump design. For a
boundary string, you will use the dump design string that lies on the topographic surface
(string #4). Then you will append the clipped topographic string file and dump design
strings, and create a DTM of the surface. To achieve this you will use the previously
created topographic surface which has already been combined with the pit design strings.
The two files to combine are pit_and_topo2.str and dumpdesign1.str .
33. Click Reset graphics .

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Waste dump design Task: Design a waste dump

34. Open pit_and_topo2.str.

The pit and topograhy are displayed.

35. Select File tools > Apply boundary string, and enter the parameters as shown below.

36. Open dumpdesign1.str to the current layer using the replace option.

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Waste dump design Task: Calculate dump volume

37. Open temp10.str, appending it to the current layer.

38. Choose File > Save > string/DTM.

39. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

40. Create a DTM of pit_dump_and_topo2.str.

41. Open pit_dump_and_topo2.dtm into the same layer as the string file, replacing the
string file.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task, run _17_waste_dump_design.tcl. You need to
click Apply on any forms presented.
Task: Calculate dump volume
Now you will calculate the total volume of the dump.

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Waste dump design Task: Calculate dump volume

1. Choose Surfaces > Volumes > Net volume between DTMs.

2. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

3. Enter the information as shown, and click Apply.

The form below gives you the option of saving the DTM clipped within the boundary
string. This is done for visualization purposes as this allows you to colour the dump
differently to the surrounding topography.

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Waste dump design Task: Calculate dump volume

Note: As a general rule of thumb you should only use clipped DTMs for visualization,
and not for other DTM functions.
After you apply the second Save A Modified Dtm form, the volume is calculated and
written to a note file called top1.not.
4. View top1.not in a text editor.
The report is displayed.

Surpac™ 6.6.1 Page 96 of 96 Pit Design