E004 Rev B PDF

MineSight®
for Geologists
Workbook
E004
Rev. B
© 2002, 2001, 1994, and 1978 by MINTEC, inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this document shall be

reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without written permission from
MINTEC, inc.
All terms mentioned in this document that are known to

be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respec-
tive companies have been appropriately identified.
MineSight® is a registered trademark of MINTEC, inc.
acQuire® is a registered trademark of Metech Pty Ltd

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Table of Contents
MineSight for Geologists

Table of Contents
Using This MineSight Workbook......... ..........................Intro-1
MineSight Overview..............................................................1-1
Project Initialization Using MineSight Compass................2-1
Initializing Project Files in MineSight Compass.................3-1
Initializing a MineSight 3-D Project......................................4-1
DXF Data Import and Display...............................................5-1
VBM Data Import and Display..............................................6-1
Exporting to MineSight VBM - File 25..................................7-1
Grid Sets..... ...........................................................................8-1
CAD Editing and Material Types.......................................... 9-1
Importing and Loading Drillhole Data into MineSight.......10-1
Importing in acQuire............................................................11-1
Drillhole Data - Reports and Statistics...............................12-1
Drillhole Display in MineSight 3-D......................................13-1
acQuire Drillhole Views.......................................................14-1
Composite Data....................................................................15-1
Geologic Interpretation and Modeling................................16-1
The Linker Tool.....................................................................17-1
Creating Surfaces and Solids.............................................18-1
Manipulating Surfaces.........................................................19-1
The Extrude Tool..................................................................20-1
Initializing the Model............................................................21-1
Adding Topography to the Model........................................22-1
Part #: E004 Rev. B Page TOC-1

Table of Contents Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Coding the Model..................................................................23-1
Model Interpolation...............................................................24-1
Geologic Model Display and Plotting..................................25-1
Model Statistics and Reserves.............................................26-1
Model Calculations................................................................27-1
Miscellaneous Modeling Topics...........................................28-1
Creating VBM Features from Solids.....................................29-1
Page TOC-2 Part #: E004 Rev. B

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Using this Mintec Workbook
Using this Mintec Workbook Notes:

The objective of this workbook is to provide hands on training and experience with
the MineSight Operations software package. This workbook does not cover all the
capabilites of MineSight, but concentrates on typical mine geologists duties using a
given set of data.
Introduction to the Course

To begin, we would like to thank you for taking the opportunity to enrich your
understanding of MineSight through taking this training course offered by Mintec
Technical Support. Please start out by reviewing this material on workbook conventions
prior to proceeding with the training course documentation.
This workbook is designed to present concepts clearly and then give the user
practice through exercises to perform the stated tasks and achieve the required results.
All sections of this workbook contain a basic step, or series of steps, for using
MineSight with a project. Leading off each workbook section are the learning objectives
covered by the subject matter within the topic section. Following this is an outline of the
process using the menu system, and finally an example is presented of the results of the
process.
MineSight provides a large number of programs with wide ranges of options within
each program. This may seem overwhelming at times, but once you feel comfortable
with the system, the large number of programs becomes an asset because of the
flexibility it affords. If you are unable to achieve these key tasks or understand the
concepts, notify your instructor before moving on to the next section in the workbook.
What You Need to Know

This section explains for the student the mouse actions, keyboard functions, and
terms and conventions used in the Mintec workbooks. Please review this section
carefully to benefit fully from the training material and this training course.
Using the Mouse

The following terms are used to describe actions you perform with the mouse:
Click -press and release the left mouse button
Double-click - click the left mouse button twice in rapid succession
Right-click - press and release the right mouse button
Drag - move the mouse while holding down the left mouse button
Highlight - drag the mouse pointer across data, causing the image to reverse in color
Point - position the mouse pointer on the indicated item
Part #: E004 Rev. B Page Intro-1

Using this Mintec Workbook Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Terms and Conventions

Notes:
The following terms and conventions are used in the Mintec workbooks:
Actions or keyboard input instructions - are printed in Times New Roman font,
italics, embedded within arrow brackets and keys are separated with a + when used in
combination, for example, to apply bold face to type is indicated by <ctrl+shift+b>.
Button/Icon - are printed in bold with the initial letter capitalized, in Times New
Roman font, for example Print, on a button, indicates an item you click on to produce a
hard copy of a file; or , the Query icon, is clicked on to determine which

polyline you need to edit.
Menu Commands - are printed in Arial font, bold, with a vertical bar, as an example
File I Open means access the File menu and choose Open.
Parameters - are printed in Arial font, lower case, in bullet format, as an example,
the project coordinate units (metric or imperial)
the project type (3-D, GSM, BHS, SRV).
Select - highlight a menu list item, move the mouse over the menu item and click the
mouse.
Questions or Comments?
Note: if you have any questions or comments regarding this training documentation,
please contact the Mintec Documentation Specialist at (520) 795-3891 or via e-mail at
market@mintec.com.
Page Intro-2 Part #: E004 Rev. B

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. MineSight Overview
MineSight Overview Notes:

Learning Objectives
When you have completed this section, you will know:
A. The basic structure and organization of MineSight.
B. The capabilities of each MineSight module.
C. Ways to run MineSight programs.
What Is MineSight?
MineSight is a comprehensive software package for the mining industry containing

tools used for resource evaluation and analysis, mine modeling, mine planning and
design, and reserves estimation and reporting. MineSight has been designed to take raw
data from a standard source (drillholes, underground samples, blastholes, etc.) and
extend the information to the point where a production schedule is derived. The data
and operations on the data can be broken down into the following logical groups.
Digitized Data Operations
Digitized data is utilized in the evaluation of a project in many ways. It can be used to
define geologic information in section or plan, to define topography contours, to define
structural information, mine designs and other information that is important to evaluate
the ore body. Digitized data is used or derived in virtually every phase of a project from
drillhole data through production scheduling. Any digitized data can be triangulated and
viewed as a 3-D surface in MineSight.
Drillhole Data Operations
A variety of drillhole data can be stored in MineSight, including assays, lithology and
geology codes, quality parameters for coal, collar information (coordinates and hole
orientation), and down-the-hole survey data. Value and consistency checks can be
performed on the data before it is loaded into MineSight. After the data has been stored
in the system, it can be listed, updated, geostatistically and statistically analyzed, plotted
in plan or section and viewed in 3-D. Assay data can then be passed on to the next
logical section of MineSight which is compositing.
Compositing Operations
Composites are calculated by benches (for most base metal mines) or mineral seams
(for coal mines) to show the commodity of interest on a mining basis. Composites can
be either generated in MineSight or generated outside the system and imported.
Composite data can be listed, updated, geostatistically and statistically analyzed, plotted
in plan or section and viewed in 3-D. Composite data is passed on to the next phase of
MineSight, ore body modeling.
Modeling Operations
Within MineSight, deposits can be represented by a computer model of one of two

types. A 3-D block model (3DBM) is generally used to model base metal deposits, such
as porphyry copper or other non-layered deposits. A gridded seam model (GSM) is used
for layered deposits, such as coal or oil sands. In both models, the horizontal
components of a deposit are divided into blocks that are usually related to a production
unit. In a 3DBM, the deposit is also divided horizontally into benches, whereas in a
Part#: E004 Rev B Page 1-1

MineSight Overview Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
GSM the vertical dimensions are a function of the seam and interburden thicknesses. For
Notes: each block in the model, a variety of items may be stored.
Typically, a block in a 3DBM will contain grade items, geological codes, and a
topography percent. Many other items may also be present. For a GSM, the seam top
elevation and seam thickness are required. Other items, such as quality parameters, seam
bottom, partings, etc. can also be stored. A variety of methods can be used to enter data
into the model. Geologic and topographic data can be digitized and converted into codes
for the model, or they can be entered directly as block codes. Solids can also be created
in the MineSight 3-D graphical interface for use in coding the model directly. Grade
data is usually entered through interpolation techniques, such as Kriging or inverse
distance weighting. Once the model is constructed, it can be updated, summarized
statistically, plotted in plan or section, contoured in plan or section, and viewed in 3-D.
The model is a necessary prerequisite in any pit design or pit evaluation process.
Economic Pit Limits & Pit Optimization
This set of routines works on whole blocks from the 3-D block model, and uses either
the floating cone or Lerchs-Grossmann technique to find economic pit limits for
different sets of economic assumptions. Usually one grade or equivalent grade item is
used as the economic material. The user enters costs, net value of the product, cutoff
grades, and pit wall slope. Original topography is used as the starting surface for the
design, and new surfaces are generated which reflect the economic designs. The designs
can be plotted in plan or section, viewed in 3-D, and reserves can be calculated for the
grade item that was used for the design. Simple production scheduling can also be run
on these reserves.
Pit Design
The Pit Design routines are used to geometrically design pits that include ramps,
pushbacks, and variable wall slopes to more accurately portray a realistic open pit
geometry. Manually designed pits can also be entered into the system and evaluated. Pit
designs can be displayed in plan or section, can be clipped against topography if desired,
and can be viewed in 3-D. Reserves for these pit designs are evaluated on a partial block
basis, and are used in the calculation of production schedules.
Production Scheduling
This group of programs is used to compute schedules for long-range planning based
upon pushback designs (or phases), and reserves computed by the mine planning
programs. The basic input parameters for each production period include mill capacity,
mine capacity, and cutoff grades. Functions provided by the scheduling programs
include:
Calculation and reporting of production for each period, including mill production
by ore type, mill head grades and waste
Preparation of end-of-production period maps
Calculation and storage of yearly mining schedules for economic analysis
Evaluation of alternate production rates and required mining capacity
Page 1-2 Part#: E004 Rev. B

Ways to Run MineSight Programs

Notes:
MineSight consists of a large group of procedures and programs designed to handle
the tasks of mineral deposit evaluation and mine planning. Each procedure allows you
to have a great amount of control over your data and the modeling process. You decide
on the values for all the options available in each procedure. When you enter these
values into a procedure to create a run file, you have a record of exactly how each
program was run. You can easily modify your choices to rerun the program. To allow
for easier use, the MineSight Compass menu system has been developed. Just select the
procedure you need from the menu. Input screens will guide you through the entire
operation. The menu system builds run files behind the scenes and runs the programs for
you. If you need more flexibility in certain parts of the operations, the menus can be
modified according to your needs, or you can use the run files directly. The MineSight
3-D graphical interface provides a Windows-style environment with a large number of
easy-to-use, intuitive functions for CAD design, data presentation, area and volume
calculations and modeling.
Basic Flow of MineSight

The following diagram shows the flow of tasks for a standard mine evaluation project.
These tasks load the drillhole assays, calculate composites, develop a mine model,
design a pit, and prepare long-range schedules for financial analysis. There are many
other MineSight programs which can be used for geology, statistics, geostatistics,
displays, and reserves.

MINESIGHT OVERVIEW Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Flow of Tasks Initialize

for a Standard PCF Update
List
Mine Evaluation
Project
Enter
Scan
Drillhole Assays Load
Edit
List
Dump
Rotate
Add Geology
Statistics
Variograms
Plot Collars
Plot Sections
Special Calculations
3-D Viewing and Interpretation
Load
Edit
Composites List
Dump
Add Geology
Add Topography
Statistics
Variograms
Variogram Validation
Plot Sections
Plot Plans
Special Calculations
Sort
3-D Viewing and Interpretation
Initialize
Digitized Data Mine Model Interpolate
Add Geology
Add topography
List
Digitize Edit
Load Statistics
Edit Reserves
List Special Calculations
Dump Plot Sections
Plot Plot Plans
3-D Viewing Contour Plots
Sort
3-D Viewing & Solids Construction
Creat Pit Optimization Model

Run Pit Optimization
Pit Designs Pit Optimization Reserves
Pit Optimization Plots
Run Pit Design
Pit Design Reserves
Pit Design Plots
Reserves
3-D Views
Long Range
Planning & Short Range
Scheduling
Page 1-4 Part# E006 Rev B

MineSight Capacities
Notes:
Drillholes
No limit to the number of drillholes; only limited by the total number of assays
in the system
99 survey intervals per drillhole
524,285 assay intervals per file
8,189 assay intervals per drillhole
99 items per interval
Multiple drillhole files allowed (usually one is all that is required)
Composites
524,285 assay intervals per file
8,189 composites per drillhole
99 items per composite interval
Multiple composite files allowed (usually one is all that is required)
Geologic Model
3-D block model limit of 1000 columns, 1000 rows and 400 benches
Gridded seam model limit of 1000 columns, 1000 rows and 200 seams
99 items per block
Multiple model files allowed (usually one is all that is required)
Digitized Point Data

4,000 planes per file - either plan or section
20,000 features (digitized line segments) per plane
100,000 points per plane
99 features with the same code per plane and a unique sequence number
Multiple files allowed
Pit Optimization (Floating cone/Lerchs-Grossman programs)
600 row by 600 column equivalent (rows * columns < 360000)
Multiple files are allowed
Reserves
20 material classes
20 cutoff grades for each material class
10 metal grades
Multiple reserves files allowed
Slice Files for Interactive Planning and Scheduling

2,000,000 blocks containing one item (the number of blocks allowed drops as
the number of items per block rises)
Unlimited benches and sections
30 items per block

MineSight Overview Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Blastholes
Notes: 524,285 blastholes per file with standard File 12
8,189 blastholes per shot with standard File 12
4,194,301 blastholes per file with expanded limit File 12
1,021 blastholes per shot with expanded limit File 12
99 items per blasthole
Multiple blasthole files allowed (usually one is all that is required)

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Project Initialization Using MineSight Compass
Project Initialization Using MineSight Notes:

Compass
Learning Objectives
A. The minimum data requirements for MineSight project initialization

B. How to initialize a MineSight PCF
C. How to initialize a MineSight Compass project
The MineSight PCF
To work with a Project in MineSight Compass, it is first necessary to have both a

Project Control File (PCF) and a MineSight Compass Project (*.prj file). A MineSight
Compass Project can be created from an existing PCF. If the project you're initializing
already has a PCF, you can run MineSight Compass from within the MineSight 3-D
interface, but if you do not yet have a PCF, you should run MineSight Compass as a
standalone program first to create it. To initialize a MineSight PCF, it is necessary that
you have determined the following project parameters:
the project coordinate units (metric or imperial)

the project type (3D, GSM, BHS, SRV)
a project ID (2 - 4 alpha characters)
the minimum and maximum values for easting, northing and elevation
model block size
optionally, you may specify a mineral type and project description
To start MineSight Compass, run the program mscompass.exe from the winexe
directory, using a shortcut or from a command prompt; the splash screen allows you to
specify the project directory in which you want to create the MineSight Compass
project. If no project exists in this folder, the following message is displayed.
Part#: E004 Rev. B Page 2-1

Project Initialization Using MineSight Compass Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
<Select OK, and MineSight Compass will start, displaying the MineSight Compass
Notes: interface, but with the tabs and windows grayed out. Select the File I New I PCF (if
there is neither a PCF nor a project) or New I Project (if there is already a PCF)>.
Initializing a New PCF and Project
To create a new PCF, <select File I New I PCF>; you will be directed to select a
destination directory for the new PCF. Procedure p10002.dat will then be displayed. The
first panel of the procedure allows you to specify the units of measurement (Imperial or
Metric), the Project Type (3D, GSM, BHS, or SRV), a 2 - 4 character Project ID (e.g.,
TEST), a mineral type (for report labeling), and a project description (up to 50
characters). Your instructor will familiarize you with the navigation techniques
necessary for utilizing the Compass Procedure Panels most effectively.

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Project Initialization Using MineSight Compass
Notes:
The second and final panel of the procedure accepts the minimum and maximum
Easting, Northing, and Elevation, along with the associated model block size in each
direction. Once this procedure is complete, the PCF is created in your project directory.
Initializing a MineSight project from an existing PCF
Once the PCF exists, or if you're initializing an MineSight Compass project from an
existing PCF, <select File I New I Project from the MineSight Compass menu. Select
the PCF you just created>, and a corresponding MineSight Compass project will be
created. The creation of the MineSight Compass project will activate the entire
MineSight Compass menu, allowing you to initialize new Project Files, load data to
these files, and manipulate the data for modeling, pit design and optimization, etc.

Project Initialization Using MineSight Compass Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Initializing Project Files in MineSight Compass
Initializing Project Files in MineSight Notes:

Compass
Learning Objective
When you have completed this section, you will know how to:
initialize Project Files
initialize an assay file (File 11)
initialize a survey file (File 12)
Initializing Project Files

In order to use MineSight, it is necessary to create a series of Project Files. All Project
Files required for your MineSight project can be easily and efficiently created using the
MineSight Compass Project File Editor. To access the Project File Editor, you must
have already initialized the MineSight Compass project.
<In the MineSight Compass interface, go to the Project tab, and click the Folder icon
marked Open project file editor.> The Project File Editor dialog, shown below, opens
by default ready to create a new File 11, with required items shaded in blue. To create a
File 11, simply fill in the desired items, along with corresponding values for the
minimum, maximum and precision
Navigation of the Project File Editor is through the menu, but several of the most
commonly used functions are also available through icons below the menu bar.
Part#: E004 Rev. B Page 3 -1

Initializing Project Files in MineSight Compass Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:
New File icon Delete File

icon
Open File Save File icon
icon
To create a Project File other than File 11, <select File I New from the menu, or
click the New File icon, then select the desired Project File type from the popup list>.
In the example shown below, we are opting to initialize a new File 12, which stores the
DH collar information; a new File 12 should be created for each DH data set, and the
same File 12 can be used for both File 11 assay files and File 9 composite files.
Although the default File 12 items are adequate for most projects, it is possible to add
additional items to this collar data file such as Drillhole type or date. Once the items are
filled in, use File I Save or the Save File icon to create the new Project File. At this
point, we have initialized the foundation data files for a new project, so we are now
able to load in some DH data. As additional Project Files are required, we can create
them in the same way as the File 11 and File 12 were created. At this point, we will
close the MineSight Compass standalone program, and open the MineSight 3-D
interface.

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Initializing a MineSight 3-D Project
Initializing a MineSight 3-D Project Notes:

Learning Objective
A. Create a new MineSight 3-D project and import PCF limits.
B. Understand the various icons that appear in the Data Manager window.
C. Organize your project into folders.
D. List the four data types available in MineSight 3-D.
Creating a New MineSight Project

The most convenient method for opening a MineSight 3-D session is to create a
desktop shortcut to the executable. <Click right in an open area on your desktop, and
select New I Shortcut from the popup menu>. Use the Browse option to locate the
executable file ms3d.exe; this program will be found on the \winexe directory, either on
the root of your local machine, or on a network drive. You can also specify a Start in
directory and create a separate shortcut for each project directory you require, but its
often easier to select the appropriate directory from the startup screen. Once youve
created the shortcut, <double-click to start MineSight 3-D>.
The first screen to appear is the opening screen of MineSight 3-D; using the pulldown
window, you can select from the 15 most recently accessed project folders. If there is
not yet an existing MineSight 3-D Project, use the Browse button to locate the project
directory.
The first time MineSight 3-D is started in a specific project folder, the following

Initializing a MineSight 3-D Project Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
message is displayed; click OK to create the new MineSight project resource folder.
Notes:
This creates a folder under the project folder called _msresources; all objects created
in your MineSight 3-D project are stored in subfolders of this project resource folder.
The next screen that appears allows you to set your new MineSight 3-D Project limits,
either through keyboard entry or by directly importing an existing PCF.
Since we have already created a PCF, well use that to create our new MineSight 3-D
Project; click the button Initialize from an existing PCF and select the PCF from the
File Selection Dialog. Note that the Project Limits are updated to the correct values, then
click OK. Now that the MineSight 3-D interface is up, lets examine the main windows
in the interface.

Notes:
As shown in the illustration, there are three default windows in the MineSight 3-D
interface: the main MineSight window, the MineSight Viewer, and the Data Manager.
In addition, there is a Messenger window that appears with errors, warning or
instructions when appropriate, and a Query window that provides information when
called by the user.
Data Manager
The Data Manager lists all the objects in our MineSight 3-D project. These objects are
organized into folders. This is patterned after Windows NT Explorer. Only folders are
shown in the top half of the Data Manager window; folders and objects are shown in the
bottom half. Some default objects and folders are created when a project is initialized.
Notice that the Data Manager window floats on top of the Viewer. The Data Manager
can be closed so that the entire Viewer can be seen. You can open and close the Data
Manager window with the icon shown below. If the Data Manager is ever obscured by
another dialog, clicking this icon twice will bring it back to the top.

Notes:
Default MineSight Objects and Folders

Two objects, called project settings and Viewer 1, are created in the <unnamed>
folder. The project settings object contains the project limits, units and similar
information. <Double click on project settings>.
The Project Limits are inactive because once a project has been set up, the limits
cannot be changed. However, in MineSight 3-D you are not restricted to working within
the project limits, although the MineSight Compass drillhole and model files are limited
to these extents. Now <click Properties tab>. The Option Show Bounding Box displays
a wireframe box around the project area. <Click Show Axes>, which displays x, y, and z
axes.
The Volumes and Backup tabs contain setup options for volume calculations and
project resource backup modes.

Notes:
Viewer 1 is the default Viewer window. Since a Viewer is stored as a MineSight
object, it is possible to utilize multiple viewers, each with its own Viewer Properties.
The two folders created underneath the New Resource Map folder are Items and
Materials. The Items folder will contain the color cutoffs for the various drillhole and
model items; as we have not yet created any color cutoff definitions, this folder is
empty. On project initialization, the Materials folder contains the minimum material
types for a MineSight project. Other material types are created automatically upon data
import, and you can create custom material types as required. No other type of objects
can be treated in either of these two folders.
Data Manager Icons

The icons along the top of the Data Manager window represent each of the different
data types used in MineSight 3-D.
Folder Plot Legend
Drillhole View Title Block
Geometry Object Plot Layout
Linked Object MineSight Viewer

Gridset Model View
These buttons serve as filters. The default is to show all data types, but if you dont
want to see a particular data type listed in the Data Manager, then click on the
corresponding icon and those objects will be filtered out. Click on the icon again to
deactivate the filter.
Folders
Folders are used to organize data. They can be created within MineSight 3-D or from
outside the program. To create a new folder while in MineSight 3-D, <click
<unnamed> in the Data Manager window. Click right, then select New I Folder>.
The new folder will be created in the folder that is highlighted in the Data Manager.
MineSight 3-D will provide default names for all new folders and objects. For this
folder, <replace the default name with Training and click OK>. A new folder called
Training will appear in the Data Manager window. It is also possible to add folders from
outside of MineSight 3-D. To do this, first close down MineSight 3-D by clicking File I
Quit. Click Yes in response to Exit MineSight 3-D? and click No to Save project
map?>.
Now create a new folder in the _msresources directory called Composites. Bring
MineSight 3-D back up. The Composites folder will be shown in the Data Manager
window. This is possible because MineSight 3-D maps the Data Manager each time the
program starts up. The file structure is not kept in memory anywhere.

Notes: Data Types

There are four data types in MineSight. They are geometry, grid sets, model views and
drillhole views. Geometry includes Survey, VBM, 3-D Geometry and text. Model views
include File 13 and 15 models as well as Gradeshells. As we see later, objects are all
created in a similar manner as folders. Instead of choosing to create a new folder, you
will choose whichever data type is appropriate.

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. DXF Data Import and Display
DXF Data Import and Display Notes:

Learning Objective
Prior to this section, you must have initialized the project. In this section you will
learn:
A. How to import a DXF file with surface topography data.
B. How to manipulate the display properties of the imported data.
C. How to create a triangulated surface from the topography contours.
Importing DXF Files

MineSight can read DXF files from AutoCad, R12, R13, R14, and 2000 formats. In
this exercise we will import a DXF file created in AutoCad version 13 into MineSight.
This file represents the surface topography in our project. Once it has been imported, we
will manipulate it to give it a different presentation. Importing other types of data into
MineSight utilizes the same general techniques.
Importing Surface topography (DXF)

A. In the Data Manager, <highlight <unnamed>, click right and select New I Folder.
Call the new folder TOPO and click OK>.
B. <Highlight folder TOPO, click right and choose Import I DXF File. Select the
file called surftopo.dxf from the file selection dialog>.
Part #: E004 Rev. B Page 5-1

DXF Data Import and Display Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:
C. Go to the Edit menu of the Layer Selection window,

and choose Select All. Click Load Selected Layers.
Once the topography is displayed in the viewer, close
the Layer Selection window.
Display properties of imported data

In the Data Manager window, notice that a new Geometry Object called 901 is
created. This object name is the layer name where the topography information was
contained in the DXF. To access the properties of this Geometry Object, <click right
and choose Properties or double click on 901 in the Data Manager>. The Object
Properties window that is displayed has the same options available for all Geometry
type data. <On the General tab, click the color palette icon (the artists palette).
Change the global color of this object to green>.
Page 5-2 Part #: E004 Rev. B

Notes:
n
egr>.
You can also change the color individually for points, polylines, surfaces, and labels
for the same Geometry Object. To do this, you need to select the appropriate color
palette icon from the different tabs available. For example, to display the points in
yellow while showing the topography lines in green, <click the color palette icon under
the Polylines tab (to the right of the Show Nodes option). Select the desired color>.
<Change the Node type to an asterisk or an empty circle, and uncheck (toggle off) the
Show Lines option>. You should only see the yellow nodes. <To add elevation labels
to the nodes, select the Labels tab. Check (toggle on) the Show Node Elevations box.
Change the size to 5 and press the Tab key on your keyboard>.
To show line elevations, first <uncheck the Show Node Elevations box, then check
the Show Line Elevations box. Go back to the Polylines tab and uncheck the Show
Nodes box. Finally check the Show Lines option>. As an exercise, change the line type
to a dashed line in light blue.

Notes: Creating a Triangulated Topography Surface

To create a solid representation of the surface topography, you need to create a file
(Geometry Object) to store the resulting triangulated surface. Do the following:
A. <Create a new Geometry Object called tri901 inside the TOPO folder.
B. Highlight tri901, click right and choose the Edit option.
C. Highlight Geometry Object 901. Click right and go to Select I All elements>. You
will notice the data being selected changes to an orange color. <Click right in the
viewer> to lock in the selection, and the color changes to red.
D. <Select Surface I Triangulate Surface I With Selection. Select the option to

Send Results to Open Edit Object and click OK>.
You will see a light-blue wireframe representation of the surface topography. <Go to
the Selection menu in the MineSight main window and select Save>. You can also click
the 12th icon from the left in the first row of icons (Save Selection Edits) to more
conveniently use the same function.
Now change the properties of the triangulated surface topography to a solid, dark
orange surface. To accomplish this, do the following:
A. <Double click on the Geometry Object tri901 to activate the Object Properties
window.
B. Select the Surfaces tab and check the Show Faces option. Uncheck the Show
Lines option.
C. Click the Global Color icon next to the Show Faces option, under Face Style.
Choose a dark orange color.
D. Check and uncheck the Smooth Shading option to see the difference>.

<Close the tri901 object, and save the Resource Map by clicking the Save icon in the Notes:
Data Manager. Save the Resource Map as topoloaded, and close all objects.>

Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. VBM Data Import & Display
VBM Data Import & Display Notes:

Learning Objective
When you have completed this section, you will be able to:
A. Import data directly from MineSight VBM files.
B. Change the properties of this data, such as display color.
C. View the data in MineSight 3-D .
Import VBMs
Create a new folder by <highlighting <unnamed>, clicking right and choosing New
I Folder. Name the folder Rock and click OK>. Create a folder within Rock called W-
E-Rock. To import the VBMs, <highlight folder W-E-Rock, click right and select
Import I VBM file. Select msop10.dat as the PCF and msop25.we as the VBM file>.
The next step is to select which features and which planes to import. This is done in
the VBM Import window, which comes up after you select a VBM file. <On the Planes
tab, click All Planes>. The list of planes on the right side of the window will all become
highlighted. <On the Features tab, highlight 11, 12 and 13. Click Apply, then close the
window>.
Repeat this process to import the alteration VBMs. <Create a new folder under
<unnamed> called Alteration. Create a folder within Alteration called W-E-
Alteration. Import Feature codes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of file msop25.we into folder W-E
Alteration. Select All planes>.
VBM Data
In the Data Manager, <click folder W-E-Rock> so that you see what is in the folder.
There should be three Geometry Objects 11, 12, and 13. These were created
automatically when the VBM was imported. The numbers correspond to the feature
code from MineSight and the Material Type. Notice one other object was created in
folder W-E-Rock. This is a Grid Set called msop25.we_gridset. This Grid Set has the
same orientation as the VBM data, and has a grid on each plane containing VBM
features. The grid set is named after the file from which the data was imported.
Similarly, folder W-E-Alteration should have five Geometry Objects; 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
It should also have a Grid Set called msop25.we_gridset. Notice that all the VBM
features are the same color. To change that, <highlight Geometry Objects 11, 12, and
13 in the Data Manager. Click right and click Properties>.
<Click Set Color By Range>. Adjust the slider bars to the part of the spectrum that
you wish to use. <Click OK, then click OK on the Object Properties window>. Do the
same for Geometry Objects 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in folder W-E-Alteration.
Note: Avoid using red or yellow as the color for any Geometry Objects. Red is the
color of selected data, and therefore has special meaning. Yellow is the color for
highlights.

VBM Data Import & Display Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Exporting to MineSight VBM - File 25
Exporting to MineSight VBM - File 25 Notes:

Learning Objective
A. How to initialize a MineSight VBM - File 25.
B. How to export data from MineSight 3-D directly into a VBM.
C. How to display/plot VBM data in MineSight 3-D and MineSight Compass.
The first step in this process is to open MineSight Compass. If youre already
working in MineSight 3-D, you can simply open MineSight Compass from the
MineSight menu. If you dont have MineSight 3-D open, you can type the
mscompass.exe command from your working directory (where the PCF - File 10
resides) at a command prompt. This brings up the MineSight Compass dialog; click on
the Project tab, and open the Project File Editor.
<From the menu, select File I New, and choose file type 25 - VBM from the popup
window (you could alternatively click the New File icon)>. This brings up the File 25
initialization dialog, which should be filled out as shown in the following display:

Exporting to MineSight VBM - File 25 Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:
To create the new File 25, simply <save the file, using the Save icon or File I Save
from the project file editor menu>. VBM files can be given extensions that describe the
type of data they contain. Here we use the extension .hor to signify topography in a plan
view VBM. <Save the file as msop25.hor>.
Exporting MineSight 2-D data directly into a VBM

<Without exiting MineSight Compass, open MineSight 3-D and click the Data
Manager open folder icon; select the Resource Map topoloaded. Answer Yes to the
question Switch Resource Maps?>. You will see your surface topography contours
exactly as you left them last time.
A. <From the Data Manager, highlight the folder Materials. Click right and select
New I Material. Name this material 901. Click OK.
B. Double click on the new material 901. Then select the Material tab.
C. Enter the value 901 under the VBM code space and press the Tab key. Click
OK>. At this point we have created a new material type that contains the VBM
code (901) that we want referenced to our topography contours. Next, we will
associate the material type to the Geometry Object 901 (topography contours).
D. <Select the folder TOPO and double click on Geometry Object 901.
E. Use the scroll down arrow (to the right of the Material Type field) to change the
Material Type to 901>. Remember, we are associating the new Material Type
901 with the existing Geometry Object 901, which contains what is going to be
our VBM data (VBM code 901).
F. <To verify that the VBM code 901 is indeed going to be assigned, click the Material

type button, and go to the Material tab. Make sure the VBM code is 901. Click
OK to close this window. Notes:
G. Highlight Geometry Object 901, click right and select Export I VBM File.> The
Messages window will display No planes available for EXPORT. <This is because
the data imported from the DXF is 3-D data, and only 2-D data can be exported to
VBM. Select all the polylines in the viewer, and choose Polyline I Convert 3D to
2D. Use the grid set benches to convert the data to 2-D, and repeat the previous
step. Select PCF (msop10.dat) and VBM file (msop25.hor). Click OK.
H. On the Planes tab, click the All Planes button.
I. Click the Features tab and click All Features.
Go to the Export tab and click the Append option. Click Apply when done>. You will
receive the following message:

Notes:
<Minimize your MineSight window and restore the MineSight Compass window>.
Displaying/Plotting VBM data in MineSight Compass and MineSight 3-D

To verify the data was successfully exported to the VBM, we will first use the VBM
Editor to display the data. Then, we will demonstrate the use of one of the MineSight
Compass plotting procedures to create a VBM plot. Finally, well produce a plot of the
VBM data using our Plot Layout in MineSight 3-D.
A. <Go to the Menu tab in MineSight Compass and select 13-VBM as the group you
are going to be working in.
B. In the same tab, select Edit as your Operations option.
C. Click Edit VBM data (p65002.dat). In the first panel, choose the VBM that contains
the data of interest (metr25.hor). Click the Right Arrow to move to the next panel.
On the second panel, the default values will be adequate. Click the Right Arrow
again to execute the program>.
The data exported into the VBM file will look similar to the following picture:

Notes:
To verify the data received is the correct feature code, <click the Feature Query
button. Then, click any of the features (polylines/polygons) that you see in the graphics
window>. The feature code and plane number of the selected feature, are displayed at
the bottom of the M650ED window.
Plotting VBM data in MineSight Compass

This procedure plots one feature on a range of planes or multiple features on a range
of planes. It is used for pits or topography. Using the procedure outlined below, you will
plot a map of your topography.
Select Group Name = ALL
Operations Type = Plot
Procedure Desc. = Plot VBM Data - p65401.dat
Panel 1 Setup Plot Parameters

<Plot the VBM data using the PCF coordinate limits at a scale of 2000 with a grid
spacing of 500m>.
Panel 2 Extract VBM Data for Plotting

Since we only have topography data (feature code 901) in the VBM file at this time,
<select the option to plot one feature on multiple planes.

Notes: Panel 3 Plot One Feature on Multiple Planes

Enter the feature code for the topography (901) and highlight every 75m beginning
with elevation 2000>.
Panel 4 Pen Specification and Optional User Plot Files

Panel 5 Setup Standard Title Box Last
This panel can be used to specify the information to be included in the title block area
of the plot.
MPLOT Window
<Select Preview/Create Metafile to view the plot on the screen. From the M122
Viewer, click X to Exit and go back to MPLOT Panel. Select Exit to Exit MPLOT
Panel>.

At this point we have verified the data was successfully exported from MineSight,
and stored in our VBM. The functionality of program M650ED, which operates Notes:
exclusively on VBM data, is covered in the Appendix in greater detail.
Plotting VBM data in MineSight 3-D

To create an output plot of VBM data, well create a quick Plot Layout; highlight
<unnamed>, <click right and select New I Plot Layout. Accept the default name. To
match the plot we just previewed, well need to turn off the Line Labels for object 901 -
use the Object Properties, Line Labels tab. In addition, to simulate the index contours
from the MineSight Compass VBM plot, we need to select and attribute the desired
index contours to have them displayed in a contrasting color. To do this, complete the
steps as follows:
A. Minimize the MineSight Compass dialog and restore MineSight 3-D; in the Object
Properties for Object 901, turn off the Line Labels.
B. In the Materials folder, create a new material called index and set its global color
to blue.
C. Select the index contours (levels 2600, 2675, etc.) using the Object Contents Browser.
D. From the main MineSight 3-D menu, choose Element I Attribute and pick the
selected contours from the viewer; click right to bring up the Element Attribution
dialog.
E. Check the box marked Name is the same as material name and select index from
the Material window dropdown list. Click OK.
F. Open the Viewer Properties dialog by double-clicking on Viewer1 in the Data

Manager. On the Grids tab, specify Lines and Labels as the type.
G. Open the Plot Layout and preview your plot>.

Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Grid Sets
Grid Sets Notes:

Learning Objective
A. Change the display properties of a Grid Set.
B. Copy, rename, and remove grids in a Grid Set.
C. Create a non-orthogonal Grid Set, edit it, and change its orientation and size.
Grid Sets
Grid Sets are one of the four main types of data in the Data Manager.
Grid Sets are used:
for stepping through the data by limiting the visibility using Volume Clipping
to slice the data to give strings or markers in a new orientation for interpretation
to define Edit Grids, which have a number of functions
Grid Sets are created:
automatically, when a VBM is imported
by creating a new Grid Set from the Data Manager
Grid Sets are positioned:
by using an Edit Grid to define origin, azimuth and dip
by using the Grid Set Editor to define reference coordinates
Grid Set Properties

We already have two grid sets set up. They were created when we imported our VBM
data. Lets take a look at the properties of one of these grid sets. In the Data Manager,
<highlight msop25.we_gridset in folder W-E-Rock, click right and select Open. Then
double click on msop25.we_gridset to bring up the Properties window>.
The General tab controls the visibility of each type of data. The only data type in a
Grid Set object is surfaces. So if you wish to have your Grid Set open, but if you dont
want to see it, you can turn off the visibility of surfaces on this tab. The color of the
Grid Set is also controlled here. Note: it is not necessary for the Grid Set to be open in
the viewer in order for it to be attached to the Viewer.

Grid Sets Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes: To change the display properties of the Grid Set go to the Surfaces tab. Here you can
change the line type, thickness and color. There is also an option for Hard Edges. This
will show only the outline of the grid and will suppress the individual cells within the
grid.
The Planes tab has a list of planes in the grid set and has several options for
manipulating those planes. One of these options is Copy. This is a good way to add
planes to a grid set. For example,< highlight plane 5640 in the plane list. Enter 3 for
Number of Copies and 50 for the Offset. Click Copy>. This will add planes 5690, 5740,
and 5790 to the plane list and they will also appear in the viewer. Note: you cannot
copy to planes on which grids already exist.
Another very useful option on this tab is Rename. This allows you to apply your own
naming convention to the planes in your grid set. For example, <highlight all the planes
in the planes list. Enter N for the Prefix, 4740 for the Start Value and 50 for the
Increment. Click Rename>. The planes list will change to reflect the new names.
Note: when you rename planes, it does not affect their position in space. This requires
the grid be moved, which we will look at later in this section. There is an option called
Use Distances which will add the northing of the plane onto the end of the name.
<Keep all the planes highlighted and click Use Default>. The names of the planes
will go back to the default naming convention. <Close the Object Properties window,
then close the Grid Set>.
Now lets look at how to manually create grid sets. <Highlight <unnamed>, click
right and select New I Folder. Name the folder Grids. Highlight folder Grids, click
right and select New I Grid Set. Name the Grid Set Benches and click OK>.

Notes:
Set up the Grid Create window, as shown in the following figure, and then click OK.
This will create a Grid Set with one plane on each bench.
Now <close Grid Set Benches by highlighting it in the Data Manager, clicking right
and selecting Close>. We will use this Grid Set later on in the course.
Exercise
Create another Grid Set in folder Grids called Test. It should be a non-orthogonal
Grid Set with 10 planes spaced 20 meters apart, using non-orthogonal plane interval.
Give it an azimuth of 135 and a dip of -90. We are going to use Grid Set Test to learn
how to move Grid Sets. To do this <highlight Test in the Data Manager window, click
right and select Edit>.

The Grid Set Editor window will come up. All the options in this window deal with
Notes: moving an existing Grid Set. Planes cant be added here; that is done on the Planes tab
of the Properties window.
At the bottom of the Grid Set Editor window, look at the Rotate About... box. This is
a way to rotate your Grid Set. This option is only available when working with a non-
orthogonal Grid Set. The Grid Set can be rotated about the normal or the major or minor
axis. To see the major and minor axes, <check the option at the top of the window to
Show Base and Axes>. The major axis is a solid line and the minor axis is a dotted line.
Once youve chosen an axis of rotation, <enter a rotation angle in the box and click
Apply>. Try rotating the Grid Set a few times.
Another option that is only available to non-orthogonal Grid Sets is setting the
Orientation by specifying an azimuth and dip.
The size of the Grid Set is controlled in the middle of the Grid Set Editor window.
Here you can set the length of the major and minor axes and the cell intervals as well.
Again, to see which are the major and minor axes, <check the option to Show Base and
Axes>. Try changing these parameters and see what happens.
When you change the length of the major and minor axes, the way the change is made
depends on the base point. To see where the base point is <check the option to Show
Base and Axes>. The position of the base point is specified in terms of percentage of the
axes. This is done in the Base Point area of the Grid Set Editor window. To see how the
base point effects the Grid Set, increase the size of the grid; note that the size increases
so that the base point stays in the same position based on the percentages of the axes.
Now adjust the basepoint to 50% of each axis. When this grids size is increased, the
base point position must stay at 50% of each axis. So although we started out with the
same grid in both cases, changing the position of the base point affected how the grid
was enlarged.
There are several ways to change the location of a Grid Set. One is to move the Grid

Set along its normal direction. This is also done in the Grid Set Editor window. Just
<enter the distance you want to move the Grid Set and click Apply>. Both positive and Notes:
negative distances can be used.
Another way to move a Grid Set is with the Snap To button. This gives you six
choices. One is to Snap To-Coordinates. This allows you to enter in x, y, and z
coordinates for the base point. Again, the location of the base point will affect where the
Grid Set is placed. When you are finished experimenting with the properties of Grid Set
Test, close it.
In this next exercise, we will make use of Grid Sets oriented in different directions:
Horizontal, East-West, North-South, and N45E. This will help us visualize our data
from many different angles.
A. From the Data Manager, <highlight <unnamed>. Double click on Viewer 1 to

activate the Properties window of the current viewer>. You can also access the
current Viewer Properties dialog through the Viewer Properties icon.
B. To look at the current displayed data stepping through each plane, we will install
the newly created Grid Set (benches) to this viewer. <Click the Grid Set icon (the
icon showing a green grid, to the right of the option Installed Grid Set). Highlight
the benches file from the browser, and click OK to finish the installation>.

Notes:
C. <Check the Volume Clipping option and change the current plane to Plan 2735.
Step through the planes using the left and right arrows> (shown to the right of
the Plane specification line) as follows:
At this point, we are still visualizing the data in 3-D. The Volume Clipping option
allows us to see the current plane (section), plus/minus half the distance between planes
by default. You can change the volume clipped by clicking the Clipping tab in the
Viewer Properties dialog, and selecting either the Equal or Unequal option, depending
on how you want to limit the amount of data displayed.
Exercise - East-West Sections

We will now create a new a Grid Set oriented East-West, and visualize the data in 2-D
and 3-D with volume clipping. The steps are as follows:
A. <Highlight the folder GRIDS. Click right and select New I Grid Set. Call this
new Grid Set E-W Sections.
B. Select EW as the Plane Orientation, and enter 50 for the number of planes and
plane interval.
C. Highlight <unnamed> in the Data Manager. Click right and select New I Viewer.
Name this viewer EW-Viewer.
D. Double click on the file called EW-Viewer to activate its properties. Go to Installed
Grid Set and click the Grid Set icon. Select E-W Sections and click OK.
E. Click the Volume Clipping option and click OK.
F. Go to the main MineSight window and click the 6th icon from the left, in the second
row of icons>. The function of this icon is to display the data in EW sections, as
you can see in the following display:

Notes:
G. <Highlight the Grid Set E-W Sections in the Data Manager, click right, and close
the Grid Set>. This will make the green Grid Set lines invisible, although the Grid
set remains attached to the Viewer.
Multiple Viewers
Now that we have two independent MineSight viewers, we can visualize the data in
the plan and East-West views by doing the following:
A. <Go to the Window menu of the main MineSight window and select Tile Windows.
B. Click anywhere inside the viewer called Viewer 1. Set the viewer Azimuth to 0 and
Dip to -90>. Alternatively, you can click the 5th icon from the left in the second
row of icons in the main MineSight window.
Notice that you can set the Azimuth and Dip of each viewer independently, as well as
their other properties. You can choose to change the viewers background color for
example, or install a different Grid Set to either viewer independently, without affecting
the other.
Use this icon to display the data with/without Volume Clipping.
Close EW-Viewer and maximize Viewer 1.
Non-orthogonal Sections (N45E)

In this exercise, we will create a Grid Set that will allow us to see the data 45-degrees
in the NE direction. To do this, follow these steps:

A. <In the Grids folder, create a new Grid Set called N45E.
Notes:
B. Specify orientation: Non-orthogonal.
C. Specify Strike Azimuth and Dip: 315 and -90.
D. Specify number of planes and plane interval: 50 and 100.
D. Use non-orthogonal plane interval>.
Now that you have defined the non-orthogonal planes, you can install this new Grid
Set (N45E) in Viewer 1, and step through the different sections. Do this as an exercise.
Although the definition of each plane of a Grid Set in space does not end with the size
of each grid, MineSight allows you to increase the size of the grids in any direction. To
do this, <highlight the file N45E in the Data Manager. Click right and choose Edit.
Change the Dip of the viewer to -45 so you can have a better view of the two axes.
Check Show Base and Axes in the Edit Grid-N45E window. You may need to rotate the
view to determine how much you need to increase the size of the grids. You will also
need to move the Base Point (the starting point from which the Grids are drawn) to 50%
of both major and minor axes. Click Apply. Enter the following information for the grid
length and cell size for both axes, and click Apply>.
The final Grid Set, looking from a plan view, should look like this:

Notes:
Now that you have defined the non-orthogonal planes, you can install this new Grid
Set (N45E) in Viewer 1, and step through the different sections. Do this as an exercise,
using Volume Clipping, and changing between 3-D mode and 2-D mode.

Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. CAD Editing and Material Types
CAD Editing and Material Types Notes:

Learning Objective
A. Use some of the most common CAD functions available in MineSight for point/
polyline editing.
B. Change material properties.
C. Create new materials.
D. Create and modify plot layouts.
Point/Polyline CAD Functions

The Point/Polyline CAD functions available in MineSight perform operations such
as:
Point:
Create
Add
Move
Move (locked Z)
Group Move
Adjust Elevation
Delete
Group Delete
Polyline:
Create
Create Planar
Append
Close
Join
Global Combine
Delete Segment

CAD Editing and Material Types Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Split / Splice
Notes:
Clip
Densify
Thin
Fillet
Smooth
Contour Surface
Drape onto Surface
Line
Substring
Redefine and more....
Exercise
There are three modifications that need to be done to the topography contours
imported in the previous section. Each one of these modifications will require the use of
at least one of the CAD functions mentioned on the previous page.
Preparation of the data

A. In the Data Manager, <select the folder TOPO and highlight tri901. Click right
and select Close>.
B. <Highlight Geometry Object 901, click right and choose Select I All elements.
Click right in the viewer>, and the selected data will be displayed in red.
C. <Click the Viewer Properties icon and install the benches Grid Set. Change the
current plane to 2885 and check (toggle on) the Volume Clipping icon>.
Using the Polyline Close function

You will notice two polylines. The polyline with 449 points needs to be closed. Use
the Query icon to determine which polyline you need to edit.
A. <Go to the Polyline menu in the main MineSight window and select Close. Uncheck
(toggle off) the Entire Selection option in the Polyline Close window. Click the
desired polyline. Click Apply. Click right anywhere in the viewer area to end the
command.
B. Use the query function again to verify the polyline has become a polygon.
C. Save the changes by going to the Selection menu and choosing Save
andContinue.>

Notes:
Alternatively, you could use the Save and Continue icon:
The final result should look like this:
Using the Polyline Join function

Now we will move two planes above, to elevation 2915. Use the Query function to
see the point where the two polylines should be joined. Zoom in if necessary.
A. <Go to the main MineSight window and click the Show Nodes icon.
Focus on the end points.
B. Select the Polyline menu and select Join>. Follow the instructions in the Messages
window. Drag this window anyplace you want it, if it is in your way.

Notes:
C. <Click right anywhere on the viewer to end the Join command>. The resulting
polyline now has 172 points. The two original polylines had 78 and 94 points
respectively.
D. Click the Save Selection Edits and Continue icon, and turn off the nodes>.

Using the Point Move/Polyline Delete functions

There is one polygon on this same plane that needs to be edited as well. <Set the Notes:
viewers Azimuth and Dip to 327 and -86 respectively>. Zoom in if necessary. Use the
Query function (icon) to find out the location of the problem (see the picture below).
Next, we need to delete the duplicate polyline; since it is coinciding with part of the
larger polygon and could cause problems in future operations, there is no need for it to
be there.
A. <Go to the Point menu and select Move (locked Z)>. At this stage, we want to
isolate the polyline so we can delete it, without taking a chance of making a
mistake and deleting the wrong polygon.
B. <Click on one of the points of the polyline segment, and drag it down a little.
Click right when done.
C. Now go to the Polyline menu and select the option to Delete Segment. Click the
polyline you wish to delete and click right anywhere on the viewer to end the
Delete Segment command>. Another way to accomplish this is to delete individual
points, using the Delete option under the Point menu.
D. <Go to the Selection menu and choose Save and Continue to save changes>.

Notes:
Material Types
The material folder contains all materials for the current project. Each material has a
name, VBM Code, Model Code, Survey Code and Survey Type, which controls
triangulation. Every object imported or created in MineSight is assigned a material from
this list, to which materials can also be added.
Material types are important when exporting VBM or survey data, or coding the
model file with a solid. In the case of VBMs, the material code indicates the VBM
feature code associated with the data. In the case of survey data, the material code
indicates the survey code associated with the data. When coding the model file with a
solid, the material type indicates the value to place in the item specified.
Editing an Existing Material Type

In the folder materials, there should be materials called 11, 12 and 13. These were
created when we imported the rock type VBM features from west-east sectional VBM
msop25.we. By default, the material type is given the feature code of the VBM feature
from MineSight, similar to the name of the Geometry Object in MineSight 3-D. There
should also be material types corresponding to the alteration VBM features in
msop25.we.
In the Data Manager, <click on Materials, then double click Material Type 11> to
bring up the Properties window. The material name and color can be changed on the
General tab. The color you set here will automatically be given to any object with this
material type. However, this color can be overridden when set in the object.

The only other tab we are going to look at is the Materials tab. This is where the VBM
Code, Model Code, Survey Code and Survey Type are set. Since this material was Notes:
created when we imported some VBM data with a Feature Code of 11, the VBM and
Model Code are both automatically set to 11. To change any of this information, simply
type in the new information and click OK.
Adding a New Material

To add a new material, highlight the Materials folder, <click right, then select New I
Material. Give the material the name 111 and give it a Model Code and VBM Code of
111>. Be sure to press Tab any time you enter data in a fill-in box. <Set its color to blue
by going to the General tab of its Object Properties, clicking on the Global color icon,
selecting a color, and clicking OK>.

Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Importing and Loading Drillhole Data into MineSight
Importing and Loading Drillhole Data Notes:

into MineSight
Learning Objective
Prior to this section you must have initialized a MineSight project. When you have
completed this section, you will know:
A. The required format for loading DH data into MineSight.
B. How to use the CONCSA program to convert your data to the required format.
C. How to scan the data for errors prior to loading.
D. How to load the DH data to the MineSight File 11.
Flow of Input Data

One of the first tasks facing you as you build your new MineSight project is to import
your drillhole data into the MineSight project. The general flow of data is illustrated
below; there are a number of potential methods to create the input file dat201.ia, and
you should use the method that you prefer. In this training, we will demonstrate the use
of the program and procedure called CONCSA (CONvert Collar, Survey, Assay) to
create the ASCII data file, but this can also be done using a text editor or spreadsheet
program.
Text Editor
Raw data Spreadsheet
DH ASCII
data Data file Program
Data base M201V1
log dat201.ia
Conversion program
MineSight MineSight
CONCSA Assay File 11 Survey File 12
Binary data files
Once the drillhole ASCII file is created, we will use the MineSight Compass interface
to run program M201V1 and load it into MineSight.

Importing and Loading Drillhole Data into MineSight Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes: Structure of Drillhole Input

The order of drillhole data for the ASCII drillhole file should be:
1. Collar line
2. Optional survey lines
3. End of surveys line (DH-IDENT followed by blanks)
4. Assay intervals (one per line)
5. End of assays line (blank)
This is an example of the data format for the ASCII drillhole file. It shows the
data for drillholes 81-08 and 81-09.
81-08 2936.80 4914.80 2645.60 0.00 -90.00 43.00

81-08
81-08 0.00 3.00 3.00 0.0600 0.0000 1.0000 3.0000
81-08 3.00 6.00 3.00 0.0600 0.0000 1.0000 3.0000
81-08 6.00 9.00 3.00 0.0600 0.0440 1.0000 3.0000
81-08 9.00 12.00 3.00 0.0700 0.0330 1.0000 3.0000
81-08 12.00 15.00 3.00 0.0400 0.0220 1.0000 3.0000
81-08 15.00 18.00 3.00 0.0700 0.0330 1.0000 3.0000
81-08 18.00 27.00 9.00 0.1900 0.0330 1.0000 3.0000
81-08 27.00 31.00 4.00 0.4200 0.0550 1.0000 3.0000
81-08 31.00 40.00 9.00 0.3600 0.0330 1.0000 3.0000
81-08 40.00 43.00 3.00 0.1900 0.0440 1.0000 3.0000
81-09 2429.10 4941.50 2660.90 0.00 -90.00 198.00

81-09
81-09 0.00 3.00 3.00 0.0900 0.0110 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 3.00 6.00 3.00 0.0900 0.0080 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 6.00 9.00 3.00 0.0500 0.0110 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 9.00 12.00 3.00 0.0400 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 12.00 15.00 3.00 0.0900 0.0190 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 15.00 18.00 3.00 0.0700 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 18.00 21.00 3.00 0.1100 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 21.00 24.00 3.00 0.0600 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 24.00 27.00 3.00 0.0700 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 27.00 30.00 3.00 0.1100 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 30.00 33.00 3.00 0.0900 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 33.00 36.00 3.00 0.0600 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 36.00 39.00 3.00 0.0900 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 39.00 42.00 3.00 0.0700 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 42.00 45.00 3.00 0.0700 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 45.00 48.00 3.00 0.0700 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 48.00 51.00 3.00 0.0600 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 51.00 54.00 3.00 0.0500 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 54.00 57.00 3.00 0.2000 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 57.00 60.00 3.00 0.1600 0.0080 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 60.00 63.00 3.00 0.1100 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 63.00 66.00 3.00 0.0900 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 66.00 69.00 3.00 0.1100 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
81-09 69.00 72.00 3.00 0.1100 0.0030 2.0000 5.0000
1. Collar Line
This is the standard information for the collar line. If your data is in another format,
please contact Mintec Technical Support for assistance.
DH-IDENT - Drillhole identification (max. of 10 columns)

XC - Easting of the collar

Notes:
YC - Northing of the collar
ZC - Elevation of the collar
AZIM - Azimuth of hole (from north)
DIP - Dip of hole
TLEN - Total length of the drillhole
2. Survey Line (optional)

There is no need to specify survey lines for drillholes that do not have downhole
surveys. If a hole does have down-the-hole surveys, you can specify the survey lines
with the same format that was specified for the collar line.
DH-IDENT - Drillhole identification (max. of 10 columns)
FROM - Depth at start of survey
TO - Depth at end of survey
LENGTH - Length of survey interval
AZIM - Azimuth of survey (from north)
DIP - Dip of survey
The only difference between a survey and a collar line is that FROM, TO, and
LENGTH are entered instead of XC, YC and ZC. The exact same columns must be used
for both the collar data and the survey data lines. The successive survey intervals must
be continuous down the drillhole. The entire length of the drillhole should be covered
by survey intervals, even if there is no assay data for a given survey interval.
3. End of Surveys Line

Enter the DH-IDENT on this line. The remainder of the line is blank.
4. Assay Interval Lines

The data on the assay interval lines can be in any order and any format as long as the
DH-IDENT is first.
DH-IDENT Drillhole identification (max. of 10 columns)
FROM Depth at the start of interval
-TO- Depth at the end of interval
-AI- Interval length (for checking)
label Item such as 1st grade value
label Item such as 2nd grade value
.
.
Notes:
.
label Last item
Item -AI- is optional. If it is not present in the ASCII file it will be calculated as the
difference between -TO- and FROM and stored in file 11. Items DH-IDENT, FROM,
and -TO- must be entered. Other items can be assay values, ratios, physical or
engineering parameters, geologic codes, lease codes, etc. Extra items can be specified
which are not part of the data to be stored in File 11. These extra items will be ignored
when data for each assay interval is stored in the MineSight data file.
Missing values are specified by entering data that is less than the minimum value for
the item, i.e., if the minimum value for Cu is 0.0, use -1.0 to specify a missing value.
Items that are specified in the MineSight data file, but are not input with M201V1,
will be treated as undefined values (-2). Geology codes can also be entered with
M201V1, or can be added later with M205V1.
5. Blank Line
Enter a blank line to end input, followed by a new collar line for the next drillhole.
CONCSA
Included with MineSight is a drillhole data conversion program called CONCSA.
This program will take a collar data file, a downhole survey data file, assay interval data
file, and up to four optional geologic interval data files, and merge all the information
into one file in the format required for the MineSight M201V1 program. In your project
directory you will find the following four files:
COLLAR.DAT - Drillhole collar coordinates
SURVEY.DAT - Downhole Survey data
ASSAY.DAT - Assay interval data for Copper and Moly
GEO.DAT - Geologic interval data for Oxide/sulfide zones.
Lets use the program CONCSA to merge the information from these four files into
one file called DAT201.IA. Then, in the next section of this workbook, file DAT201.IA
will be used to load the drillhole data into MineSight. <In the MineSight Compass
interface, click on the Menu tab>. This Compass tab gives you access to a variety of
menu display and editing options, which your instructor will explore with you. The
procedure concsa.dat (Convert Collar, Survey, Assay Files) is found within Group 1-
Assays, and is a Data Convert operation. <Click on the procedure name in the menu,>
and the first panel will appear.
Panel 1 - INFORMATION FROM THE INPUT COLLAR FILE

This panel prompts you for the name of the file containing the collar location data,
along with the location of specific data in this file. The default input format is free field,
but a specific format can be specified if necessary. The column number refers to the
actual column number in the file, for example, the first column of data is column 1, the
second column of data is column 2, etc..

Panel 2 - INFORMATION FROM THE INPUT SURVEY FILE (OPTIONAL)

This panel prompts you for the name of the file containing any downhole survey data Notes:
(this file is optional if there is no downhole survey data). The input format for this file is
also free field, but a specific format can be specified if necessary. The other concepts
used in completing the previous panel are also used here.
Panel 3 - INFORMATION FROM THE INPUT ASSAY FILE

This panel prompts you for the name(s) of up to three assay data files, along with the
column locations of the items required for this file. Optional grade items are defined in
the following panel.
Panel 4 - OPTIONAL GRADE INFORMATION FROM THE INPUT ASSAY

FILE
In this panel, you can specify the name and data type for up to thirty-six assay items.
As in the previous panels, the input format defaults to free field, but a specific format
can be specified if necessary. You would also use this panel to specify numeric or alpha
data types.
Panel 5 - INFORMATION FROM THE INPUT GEOLOGY FILE(S) -

(OPTIONAL)
This panel prompts you for the name(s) of up to four geology data files, along with
the column locations for the items required for this file. Optional geology items are
defined in the following panel.
Panel 6 - INFORMATION FROM THE INPUT GEOLOGY FILE 1 - (filename)

In this panel, you can specify the name and data type for up to eight geology items
contained in the first geology input file, along with the numeric or alpha data type
designator. If you have more than one geology input file, an additional panel for each
file will appear. As in the previous instances, the input format for the geology files is
free field, but a specific format can be specified if necessary.
The execution of program CONCSA generates a report file called rptcsa.la, which is
displayed on the screen. Check this report file for any error messages.
The merged input data file dat201.ia is also created, and it can be viewed in a text
editing program like KEDIT or Notepad. Open the data file and compare the format
with the format described earlier in this section of the workbook. In the next section, we
will initialize the MineSight assay file (File 11), and load the data to the data file.
MineSight Data File Items
An item is the smallest quantity of information that is considered by MineSight.
Assays, geologic codes, and drillhole footage are examples of items. Each item is either
a numeric value or a four-character alphanumeric string. Each numeric item has a set of
descriptors. You must assign values to these item descriptors for each item. The
descriptors are:
1. Item Label - One to five alphanumeric characters used to describe the item. The
first character should be alphabetic. Do not use the characters /, *, ., _, - or any
embedded blanks in a label.
2. Min. Value - The minimum numeric value that the item can have. Items usually
will have a min. value of 0. Coordinate items can have a positive or negative
minimum value. Values below the minimum value are treated as missing values by
most programs.
3. Max. Value - The maximum numeric value that the item can have. If an input

value (or calculated value) exceeds this maximum, it is automatically reduced to

Notes: the maximum. If the maximum value is entered as zero (0.0), an entire computer
word of storage is reserved for the item.
4. Precision - A numeric value whose magnitude specifies the least significant digit
to be maintained for the item. If a grade is significant to 1/1000th of a percent, then
Precision = 0.001. If precision is not explicitly specified, it is set to 1.0 by the
default. A precision of 1.0 indicates whole number precision.
5. Roundoff - Roundoff (automatically calculated) = Precision / 2.0 - 0.0001.
Alphanumeric strings are used for items such as drillhole labels and geologic codes.
These items must be assigned:
a label of 5 or fewer characters
a Min. value of 0
a Max. value of 0
a Precision of -1.
The value or length of an alphanumeric item cannot exceed four characters. If you
need more than four characters for a string, you will have to define two or more items.
Alphanumeric items are restricted in use to plotting and listings with certain programs.
Initialize Files 11 and 12

The first two files usually used in MineSight are File 11, which contains the drillhole
assay data, and File 12, which contains the collar and downhole survey data. Before
these files can be used, they must be initialized, or set up with the items they will
contain. Well use the MineSight Compass project file editor to perform this task, so
<click on the Project tab in the MineSight Compass interface, and open the project file
editor with the file folder icon>. The project file editor will appear, and by default is set
up to create a new MineSight assay File 11. The required items are filled in with default
values, so change these values if appropriate for your data set. It is also necessary to
define any additional grade or code items that will be required for your project. The
illustration below shows the items and parameters used in the Mintec sample project; if
youre using different data, the desired items and associated parameters should be
entered instead.

Notes:
Once the item names and definition parameters have been entered, create the file by
saving it; <click File I Save or simply click the diskette icon to bring up the file save
window. Enter a filename, using the project file naming convention;> in this case, the
filename structure is XXXX11.YYY, where XXXX is the 2 - 4 character project ID, and
YYY is the file extension.
Once the assay file is saved, its also necessary to create a survey File 12; <click File
I New or the new file icon, and select file type 12 - Survey from the dropdown list>. For
a basic project, it is not necessary to add any items to the file 12, since all of required
items are defaulted to adequate values. It is possible to add extra items to the survey file,
such as date, driller, drillhole type, etc. If desired, these extra items and their associated
parameters should be added to the project file editor prior to saving the File 12. Once
the File 11 and 12 have been created, the item names and parameters can be reviewed at
any time by opening the desired file in the project file editor dialog.
Checking the ASCII Drillhole File Prior to Loading

It is always a good idea to check your data for errors prior to loading it into
MineSight Files 11 and 12 . We have provided an option in our drillhole data loading
program (M201V1) that allows the user to first check the data for errors prior to loading
it. We will run this program twice; first, to check for errors, and second, to load the data
if no errors were found.
On the Menu tab in MineSight Compass, <select the group 1 - Assays and filter by
the Data Convert operation. Select the procedure Load ASCII DH Data (p20101.dat),
which runs the M201V1 program to load the ASCII data file into Files 11 and 12>.
Panel 1 - ASCII DRILLHOLE INPUT DATA FILE INFORMATION PANEL

This panel prompts you for the filename of your ASCII input file (dat201.ia in this
case), and provides an opportunity to select an input data format. The default input
format is a free field, so we can leave the rest of this panel blank.

Panel 2 - LOAD ASCII DRILLHOLE DATA TO MINESIGHT FILES

Notes: This panel allows you to choose the type of run ( check or load), the type of duplicate
DH check and the names of any extra File 12 items. For the first run, check the box
marked Check Data Only (Do Not Store?).
Panel 3 - LABELS OF DRILLHOLE ITEMS FOR THIS RUN

In this panel, enter the names of the drillhole items in the ASCII input file, in the
order in which they are stored. Omit the REF#, but include the required items FROM,
TO, and -AI-.
Panel 4 - CHECK DATA AGAINST USER-SPECIFIED MIN-MAX VALUES

In this panel, you can optionally enter item names and corresponding min-max values,
which will be checked as the data is loaded. Any intervals with values for the specified
items outside the specified range will be reported. Note: only those items specified in
this panel will be checked.
When the program has completed, the Mxpert screen is displayed, indicating the
number and type of errors encountered.
When you close this window, the report file will be displayed, as shown below, giving
a more detailed description that includes the number of intervals loaded, collar
coordinates, and other information regarding the data to be loaded. Check the report file
carefully, and if necessary, correct any reported errors in the data file prior to actually
loading the data to the assay and survey files.
Once you have checked your data, run the procedure again, unchecking the box
marked Check Data Only (Do Not Store?) so the data will be loaded to the Files 11
and 12. We will check the data for correct loading in the next section.

Notes:

Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Importing in acQuire
Importing in acQuire
Learning Objective
A. Import Drilling Information
B. Create Sample Numbers
C. Import Assays
D. Export Results
All using the acQuire interface.
Introduction
acQuire is a database interface which addresses problems associated with gathering, maintaining and using mining and
exploration data. It removes much of the cost and effort associated with storing data in a central repository while
retaining the advantages that this entails.
acQuire is designed to support the management and ownership of mining and exploration data. It does this by:
Providing a relational data model suitable for all mining and exploration data. The key advantages of this approach
are:
a) when you use a data model the database structure remains constant; and
b) validation is built-in to the underlying data model ensuring only valid source data is entered in your database.
Validation is centralized so all data is treated consistently.
Maintaining a single, valid data set. The problem of original data being overwritten by worked versions of the
same dataset is eliminated.
Reducing the loss of ancillary information. Related information such as results from check assays, tenement, grid
and drilling rig information can be stored with the primary data.
Enhanced reporting - including cross project reports. Many data processing systems are purpose built and hence
have reporting functionality specific to the application. Also, many data processors are project specific; collating
information across projects becomes difficult.
Enhancing data integrity in the long term. The use of a data model implies sustainable data integrity. Traditionally
the reliability of the data has been a function of the DBAs tenure.
Features and Look

The following will give you some idea of what acQuire looks like and some of the terminology used in the Tutorial.

Importing in acQuire Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Main
Menu
Form
Object icon
Import Object
icon
Workspace
Some new words

MSDE - One of the relational database management systems (RDBMS). It is more or less the same as SQL Server
although it has some limitations on the number of users and on its size.
Table - Each table holds data about a particular topic - each item of data in a table is somehow related in theme. A
database consists of a collection of tables which are, in turn, probably related/linked to one another. Each table
consists of one or more fields.
Form - A view of your data. A form may be made up of a single table or a number of tables of data in the database.
Import - An object that is constructed by the user to import data into the database.
SQL - Another object that is available to the user. These objects allow queries to be constructed and run on the
database.
Field - Each item in a record is a field. Each field has a field name. For example, in acQuire there is a table called
HoleLocation. One of the field names is HoleID. This field is a collection of unique hole identifiers. Some
fields in some tables are nominated as essential or primary key fields. Primary key fields must have unique
data.
Record - A row or line of data.
Workspace - acQuire users work area. This is a collection of your forms, import and SQL objects. You can get to a
workspace area by clicking onto the Workspace tab. Workspaces can be saved (the layout, forms,
imports etc.) to a workspace name. Workspaces have many of the features of Explorer - you can create,
delete and rename folders, forms and imports. There is no need to go outside acQuire to do your
housekeeping.
Form filter - A filter can be applied to subset the data that you see in your form. Using form filters is a very efficient
way of viewing forms - forms with large amounts of data can take longer to open.
Workspace filter - A filter can be applied to our workspace. The filter is based upon the fields in Collar. For example,
the filter may be:

ProjectCode=Merlot.
All forms that are opened when workspace filter is applied will have only data that is related to ProjectCode=Merlot.
The Workspace filters name should give you some indication of its function (they are defined and named by the
user). They can be applied when required.
Hole filter - Once a workspace filter has been applied, it is possible to apply a hole filter - all forms that are opened will
only have information about the selected HoleID.
Automatic requery can be set (Tools, Options, Workspace) so that forms that are open will automatically refresh as
the hole filter is changed.
Data Flow
The general data flow is in the following order:
1. Import Drilling Information. You have received the latest diamond drilling data from site and you want to enter it
into acQuire.
2. Create Sample Numbers. You want to create some sample names for the diamond holes, in readiness for the
analytical results.
3. Importing Assays. The analytical results have arrived and you want to enter them into acQuire.
4. Exporting Results. You want to export all the geochemical data that you have in your database into a spreadsheet.
Import Drilling Information

The Story So Far
You receive some drillhole data from site (it is collar information). It has been downloaded to a file that is in CSV
format (comma delimited) and you want to load it into your database.
The Steps Will Be

1. <Select an import object for the CSV file.
2. Use the import object or template to insert the source file into the database.
3. View the results>.
To start:
1. <Click onto the Workspace tab.
2. Click onto the Collar import object in the Merlot folder. Right-click and select Open or double click very quickly to
open the object. Note that the Import Object may have many pages; the Collar Import Object here has two (Johnson
Rig and Merlot RC).

Select Collar Import Object
Click on Workspace Tab Right-click for Menu

3. An import object is a manipulator of information between a source file (the collected data to be entered into the
database) and the database.In route, from the source to the database, an expression can be applied to the data to
change/check it. You can see the Collar import object (as with all import objects) has a:
Source - First row, which defines the fields from the Source file.
Expression - Second row, which defines the Expression that will be applied to the data in the source file before
it is imported.
Destination - Third row, which defines the field in the database that will receive the data.
4. The Expression (an Excel-type query) can range in complexity. In the example, in column B, the ProjectCode is
set as a constant - Merlot. In column F, 50 is added to each of the East values.
5. It is possible to construct very complex expressions. For example, you could test if in one of the columns in the
source file is NULL; if it is, do not enter any other data from that row. Another Expression could concatenate the
HoleID and the From to generate a series of unique sample numbers and so on.
You may like to see some more information about the type of expressions that you can apply. Go to Help,
Help acQuire, Index, expression, in an import object. At the bottom of the list of expressions there are
some good examples.
6. Now all you need to do is to execute the function. <Right-click outside the grid area, and select Execute or select
Import I Execute on the main menu.>
7. The Import - Execute dialog will open. We will be only using one of the sheets on the import object - Johnson rig.
Because there can be many sheets in an import object, it is possible to have numerous source files importing data
to numerous tables within the database in on one Execute. Each sheet can either be an import, an update or a check
to see if the source data is correct.

Click to Execute The Import stops when 10 errors are Found. Errors
are reported, but not entered
8. <Click Execute now and the import process will begin.>
9. When it is finished you will get a message that Data Import Ran Successfully. To view the data that you have just
imported:
Drillholes = TSD009, TSD011 and TSD012.
You may like to see how the source file is defined. <Outside the grid area of the Collar import object,
right-click and select Import Definition, Source file properties. You need to define the Data format
(comma, tab, space delimited, Micromine and so on) and then browse to the source file.
Once the source file is defined, you need to define the fields of the file. Select the Data section tab. If
the source file is comma delimited it is very easy to define the field names - fill in the Data starts on line
and Field names on line and then click Auto Fill.> Both the source file and the fields within that file
have been defined.

For files with Field Names defined in the source file, complete
these boxes and click Auto fill
10. In the Workspace tab <go to the Merlot folder and click on Drillholes. Right-click and select Open> and you will
be able to see all the drillholes that belong to the Merlot project (the form Drillholes has been filtered on ProjectCode
= Merlot).

Select Drillholes
Click the Workspace Tab
11. Make one of the records active by clicking on any of the entries in the HoleID column and then select Column. Sort
from the main menu, the data in Drillholes will be sorted on HoleID.
12. You may need to go to the end of the Form to view the new drillholes.
A quick way to sort data is to make one of the cells in the sort column active (click on one). Then highlight
the column by clicking on the field name for the column.
Double click very quickly while it is still highlighted and the data will be sorted alternatively in ascending
and descending order on the selected field. Please remember that this type of sort cannot be saved with the
form.
For interest, click on one of the cells in the TenementID field and it is possible to view
other information on the topic stored in the database. Click on a cell in GridName
and you will see that the pick list has only a list of possible GridNames - a different way
to present information.
Summary
The Import Drilling Information Tutorial is complete. The following collar information has been added to the
database:
TSD009, TSD011, TSD012
You are now ready to create some sample numbers for these new holes (Create Sample Numbers) and to import the
results when they arrive from the laboratory (Import Assays).

Create Sample Numbers

The Story So Far
You have entered collar information for some drillholes into 1Day and you want to enter sample numbers and intervals
for these holes - in readiness for the assay results that will arrive later.
The Steps Will Be

1. Create the sample numbers for drillholes that were imported in the Import Drilling Information section.
2. Review the results.
To start:
1. <Go to Tools I Create Samples on the main menu.> The first dialog box will open. Here you will apply a filter
(Holes only from Project = Merlot) so that you can efficiently select the appropriate drillholes.
Select the filter Holeid=TSD% to Efficiently select the drillholes
Select Holes to list the subset of filtered holes in the database
2. <Click Next> to move onto the next dialog box - Order Holes.>

3. <Select the three new drillholes you just imported into the database: Select with the mouse in the left column, then
click the single arrow button to move them to the right column.
TSD009, TSD011 and TSD012.
Click Next> to move onto the next dialog box - Create Samples.
4. Fill-in/select the following information for your new sample numbers, check or field duplicates and standard:

Starting Sample ID: R30702 Company Standards: check
Sample Increment: 1 Frequency: 20
Start Interval at Depth: 0 Restart each Hole: check
Interval Length: 2 No of Standards: 1
Min Interval Length: 1.5 Standard ID: RF60
Sample Priority: 1 Field Duplicates: check
Sample Type: 2m Frequency: 10
Despatch Number: DN2000
Click Next>.
5. View the data that will be generated, as per our instructions - the Samples, Duplicates and Standards tabs. The data
has not been commited to the database at this stage.
In this exercise, the Create Samples tool has created entries to the Assay (Sample table), CheckAssay (CheckSample
table) and Despatch (DespatchSend table) region of your acQuire Data Model. It is a good idea to view the Model
to understand what has been achieved.
6. If the information looks correct, <click Commit and the new samples will be entered into the database. Click
Cancel to exit the tool.>

7. To view the sample numbers you have entered into the database, <go to the Merlot, Assay folders in the Workspace
tab. Click on the Assay Group2 form. Right-click and select Open.
Select the Assay folder
Open Asay Group 2

From the menu, select Edit I Find and type in R30702 to locate the first sample number. To sort the records on
SampleID, click quickly on the SampleID field name.>
8. You will probably not see the new records when you open the form. <Go to Edit, Find (R30702)> to locate the
records in the form.
9. You may need to sort your data on the two fields at some stage. For example, you might sort first on HoleID and
then on SampFrom.
Summary
You have now created the Sample Numbers and they have been stored in the database. The sample numbers of
TSD009, TSD011 and TSD012 are now ready to be associated with the analytical results (Import Assays).
Importing Assays
The Story So Far
The analytical results for the current diamond drillholes have arrived and you want to enter them into the database.
The Steps Will Be

1. Select an import object.
2. Run the import.
3. Review the results.

To start:
1. <Click onto the Workspace tab.
2. Click onto the SIF File Importing import object in the Merlot, Assay folder. Right-click and select Open or double
click very quickly to open the object.>
Select SIF File Importing Select Original Sample Assays tab
Preview of data after Right-click for menu

expression is applied Select Execute
3. The import object consists of a number of sheets. Each sheet is a set of import instructions. You will execute them
all but, for the moment, open Original Sample Assays. This sheet is matching the assay results from the lab (the SIF
file) with the sample numbers that were generated for the drillholes using the Create Samples tool. When the
execution has been completed it will be entered into the database.
<Outside the grid area right-click and select Execute (or Import, Execute on the Main menu). Select Execute
now. When the import has finished you will get a message that Data Import Ran Successfully.> Read the report
to check that the final result was as per the instructions.

Sheets that will be executed Some sheets are Insert, others are Update
Click Execute now
<Click Close to finish the execution. Select File, Close to close the object.
5. To view the analytical data that you have just imported, go to the Workspace tab and open the Assay Group 1 form
in the Merlot, Assay folder.
6. You will need to make a cell in the SampleID column active and go to Edit, Find and type in the first SampleID for
the new drillholes.....R30702...to check if the lab data was imported correctly.>
Select Assay Group 1

7. To make it easier to view your data, you may like to hide the columns that have no data. <To hide columns: first
click on the field name of the columns to hide - hold down the Ctrl key to select a group. Go to Column, Hide
Column.>
Note that you have imported both the numeric and the text information from the source file. The numeric
information resides in fields like Cu_AQ111_ppm (the element name, the suite name and the units all
incorporated in the field name) and the character information is in fields like Cu_AQ111_ppm_dsc. Following
this method of data collection, the original data has not been lost. You will also note that there are no analytical
results for TDS011 or TSD012. Check in the file from the laboratory, LANRN2000.sif - the results were not
sent.
Summary
This completes the process of Importing Assays. You now have analytical results in your database for:
TSD009
Finally, lets look at accessing the data: Exporting Results.
Exporting Results
The Story So Far
You would like to export all your geochemical data into a spreadsheet format file for a report. This Tutorial will
introduce you to some of the features of forms.
The Steps Will Be
1. Display the data.
2. Export the data.
To start:
1. <At the Workspace tab select the form Rock Chips from the Merlot folder.>
In this section you will re-arrange the information to make it more practical. The steps will be:
Make the fields narrower.
Freeze a column.
Move columns to rearrange the data.
2. <Click on the field name of SampleID and with the left mouse button depressed, move across all the fields to
highlight them.>
Narrow fields
All fields can be narrowed or widened simultaneously if they are all selected. <Position the cursor over the
intersection of two field names and drag to make all columns wider or narrower. Double-click at the intersection of two
field names to narrow all columns to a minimum width.>

Double-click here to narrow selected columns
Drag across field names to select columns
You might like to make adjustments to the widths of individual columns. <Move the mouse to the intersection of two of
the field names.> The cursor mode will change to horizontal resize cursor mode. In this cursor mode the columns can
be sized individually.
Freeze columns
To freeze a column, for example, <highlight the PointEast column (click on the field name). Go to View I Freeze
Columns on the main menu.>

As you scroll left or right, the PointEast column has been frozen on the left
PointEast will be positioned to the left of the Form and will appear locked - PointEast will not disappear from view;
it will always be on the left of the form.
Move fields
<Highlight the column that you want to move by clicking of the field name. Click again on the field name of the column
and keep the mouse key down.> Your cursor will change into move mode. <With the mouse button depressed, move the
cursor to the new location. Release the mouse and the column will move to that location.>
3. Export to a spreadsheet format. <While the form is still open, go to File I Export on the main menu. An Export
dialog box will appear. Select the Save in folder and fill in the File name. At Save as type: select Comma Delimited
Files (*.csv). CSV format files can be opened by spreadsheets. Fill in the File name and Save.>
You may like to save the new look of your geochemical data (columns narrower, column frozen and fields moved)
so that next time you select Rock Chip on the Workspace tab it will be opened with the same look and feel..
<Go to File, Save.> The form will be saved as an Acquire Form File (*.qfrm), in the folder that it appears in the
Workspace tab. If you want to save it to another file name or put it into another folder, <go to File, Save As.
Navigate to the folder that you require and define the name of the file.>
This process saves all the settings that you have implemented. It does not actually save the data - it saves the view
of the data. Next time that you open the Geochem96 form the data is retrieved from the database and displayed with
these settings.
Summary
You have now completed the basic acQuire function: Import Drilling Information, Create Sample Numbers, Import
Assays, and Export Results. <To exit acQuire go to File I Exit.>

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Drillhole Data - Reports & Statistics
Drillhole Data - Reports and Statistics Notes:

Prior to this section you must have loaded the drillhole data to MineSight. In this
section, you will list the drillhole surveys and assays in report form. This is not a
required step for later work.
Learning Objective
A. How to list assay data from File 11.
B. How to list survey data from File 12.
C. How to generate classical statistics from the assay information (e.g., mean and
standard deviation, histograms, etc.).
Since files 11 and 12 are binary data files, they can only be listed using MineSight
programs.
Listing File 11 and File12

There are two programs within MineSight used to list drillhole data.
M203V1 lists the assay data from File 11
M204V1 lists the survey data from File 12
The list appears in the report file from the program. BE AWARE that the procedure
List Drillhole Data (p20341.dat) in the MineSight Compass menu system combines
these two programs into one procedure for your convenience. To run the procedure,
<click the Menu tab in MineSight Compass>; the procedure is in the group 1-Assays
and is a Report operation.
Panel 1 - LIST DRILLHOLE ASSAY AND/OR SURVEY DATA

In this panel, select whether to list the survey and/or assay data. You can list both in
the same run. The amount of data, based on the survey records, is also selected here.
The default behavior is to list data from all survey records.
Panel 2 - LIMITS FOR DATA SELECTION

This panel allows you to choose some options to limit the data reported. You can
specify a project with northings and eastings, or you can specify a boundary file,
limiting the data selection to either within or without the boundary.
Panel 3 - LABELS OF DRILLHOLE ITEMS FOR THIS RUN

In this panel, enter up to 30 assay file items in the order you would like them in the
report. The drillhole name will automatically be on the report without you requesting it.
Panel 4 - LABELS OF FILE 12 ITEMS FOR THIS RUN

This panel provides an option to enter collar/survey items to be listed on the assay
report. (Leave this panel blank for now.)

Drillhole Data - Reports & Statistics Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Panel 5 - OPTIONAL DATA SELECTION FOR THE DRILLHOLE DATA LIST

Notes: This panel provides the opportunity to restrict the report to items within a certain
range or to omit those within a range. For this exercise we will include all data in File
11. Since we did not specify individual File 12 items in the previous panel, <check the
box Print Collar Data on Report>.
Panel 6 - LIST THE DRILLHOLE COLLAR AND SURVEY DATA FILE

This panel gives you four distinct choices. The first choice is for the long or short
form of the report, as described in the procedure panel. The difference is the amount of
detail produced. The second choice allows you to display the coordinates as easting-
northing (the default setting) or northing-easting. The third choice is to list collars only
or collars, surveys, and bottoms (the default setting). Finally, you have the option to list
surveys based on composite file information or assay file information (the default
setting).
The Assay and Survey File Reports

The assay file data is reported in file rpt203.la by default, although you can specify a
filename if desired. The illustration shows the first drillhole in the report, along with the
first six intervals of the second DH.

The survey data is reported in file rpt204.la by default, although you can specify a
filename if desired. The illustration below shows the collar data for the first five Notes:
drillholes in the data set.
Exercise
Complete the following exercises for practice in producing different kinds of reports.
1. Using the procedure p20341.dat from the menu tab, produce a listing of all assays
with a TOTCU value of 0.30 or greater. Use all survey records, but dont print
collar data in the report.
2. Using the procedure p20341.dat from the menu tab, produce a listing of all sulfide
assays in drillhole SM-020.
Classical Statistics
A wide variety of classical statistics data can be generated in MineSight. Among the
statistical functions available for your use are:
Mean and standard deviation
Histograms
Cumulative frequency plots
Correlations
Cumulative probability plots

In general, you would most likely use classical statistics to:

Notes:
Analyze data to determine descriptive parameters
Make inferences about an entire population based on samples
Some difficulties that are encountered when applying classical statistical principles to
mineral projects include:
Mineral deposit data is generally spatially dependent; this is the main reason for
the development of geostatistics.
Different geologic zones may have different statistical populations, and mixing
data from different zones may produce incorrect analyses.
Different types of samples (e.g., drillhole assays and bulk samples) have different
volumes and should be kept separate for analysis.
Even when analyzing samples of equal size, variations in sample spacing can
skew classical statistics, often inferring unrealistic ore grades due to a higher
number of samples in high-grade areas.
Most of these difficulties can be addressed using geostatistical principles, which are
beyond the scope of this section of the workbook.
Statistics for Assay Values

Lets take a look at some simple statistical calculations using the procedure Statistics
(assays) (p40101.dat), which runs the program M401V1 and generates report and plot
data as output. Well use our main metal as the base item, but well report secondary
metal grades as well. <Click the menu tab in the MineSight Compass interface, and
choose the group 3 - Statistics, using the calculation operation as a filter. Click on the
procedure p40101.dat>.
Panel 1 - ASSAY DATA STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

In this panel, enter TOTCU as the base assay for cutoffs, and also report the MOLY
values. Weight the statistics by the assay length item (-AI-).
Panel 2 - ASSAY DATA STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

In this panel, youre given the opportunity to define histogram and reporting
parameters. For this example, use a frequency interval of 0.1 and enter a minimum value
of .01 to avoid tabulating intervals with a TOTCU grade of zero. Use the report file
extension *.la.
Panel 3 - OPTIONAL DATA SELECTION FOR ASSAY STATISTICS

This panel offers the opportunity to limit the statistical information by using a
RANGE or OMIT command on an item or items in the assay file. You can also enter a
report title on this panel.
Panel 4 - 3-D COORDINATE LIMITS FOR DATA SELECTION

This panel provides an opportunity to limit the data selection with geographic limits,
or to specify a boundary file for data limiting.
Panel 5 - HISTOGRAM PLOT ATTRIBUTES

This panel offers a number of options for controlling the appearance of the plotted

histogram.
Notes:
Reports and Plots
The procedure produces two report files and a plot file; the first report gives a
tabulation of the number intervals and mean grade, reported by the user-specified
cutoffs. The plot file is a histogram using the parameters specified in the final panel of
the procedure. An example of the report and plot is displayed below.
Report File rpt401.la

Plot File plt401.la

Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Drillhole Display in MineSight 3-D
Drillhole Display in MineSight 3-D Notes:

Learning Objective
Prior to this section you must have loaded the drillhole data to MineSight. When you
have completed this section, you will know:
How to create a 3-D display of drillhole data in MineSight 3-D.
How to create a 2-D display of drillhole data in MineSight 3-D.
How to plot drillhole data in section and plan using MineSight 3-D plot layouts.
3-D Display of Drillhole Data in MineSight 3-D

MineSight 3-D provides a means to access your drillhole data for display in both 3-D
and 2-D viewer modes. This display includes options for color cutoff definition, as well
as labeling, editing, and query functions.
To import drillhole data into MineSight 3-D, a data type called the DH View is used;
creation of a DH View is similar to creating Folders or Geometry Objects. To create a
DH View in MineSight 3-D, it is necessary that a MineSight project exist, and that the
drillhole data has been loaded to File 11. In the Data Manager, <highlight the folder
which is to contain the DH View (first, create a new folder if necessary, e.g., ASSAYS),
click right, and select New I DH View I MineSight from the popup menu. In the New
Drill View dialog, enter the name for your DH View - lets name our first DH View for
the primary metal in our project (e.g., TOTCU), and click OK>. The DH View Data
Selection dialog appears, as shown below.
Since the DH View requires data from the File 11, it is necessary to first Select the
correct PCF; <click the Select PCF button and choose the appropriate file from the
selection dialog.
Select the correct DH data file (either File 11 or File 9), and the associated file 12 if
applicable. Click OK, then answer NO to the question Do you want to limit the items
available in this DH/BH view?>, bringing up the DH View Properties dialog, as shown
on the next page.

Drillhole Display in MineSight 3-D Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:
In the Drillhole View Properties Selection tab, <click the Select all button, then click
the Load Selection button at the loser left of the dialog tab>. The drillhole traces will
appear in the MineSight Viewer, and the color cutoffs window for the TOTCU item will
also appear. In the cutoff Intervals dialog, <enter the appropriate minimum, maximum
and increment values (e.g., for TOTCU, an appropriate range would be 0 to 2 with a 0.2
interval). Click OK and the interval bins are created; select the intervals by clicking
right in the list and choosing Select all, then click the Properties button. In the
Properties dialog, select Set color by range and click OK when the spectrum range is
set as desired. Click OK in the Object Properties dialog, then close the Color Cutoff
dialog;> the drillholes will now be displayed in the selected colors.
Now that your DH data is displayed in the MineSight Viewer, take some time to
familiarize yourself with the various display and data manipulation tools available
(azimuth and dip, zoom and pan controls, etc.) and demonstrated by your instructor.
Query and/or Edit Drillhole Data in MineSight 3-D

MineSight 3-D offers you the ability to query drillhole data within the display; a
related option also allows you access to the MineSight File 11 for editing values. To
access the DH data through a simple query, <click the query icon on the menu bar or
choose Tools I Query I Element from the MineSight 3-D menu, then click on an
interval of interest in the MineSight Viewer>. This will bring up the Query Drillhole
View window, which is a spreadsheet-like display of all the intervals in the specific
drillhole you selected, with the individual interval highlighted in yellow in the viewer
and blue in the spreadsheet dialog. Clicking a different interval in the viewer will
highlight that interval in the spreadsheet display, and selecting a different interval in the
spreadsheet will highlight the new interval in the viewer as well.

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Drillhole Display in MineSight 3-D
To edit the drillhole data in MineSight, use the DH Edit dialog; this is accessed
through the Data Manager by selecting the DH View and choosing Edit from the popup Notes:
menu. This opens a similar spreadsheet display, which allows you to specify an
individual drillhole for either browsing or editing. The Browse option is the default
mode; to make the data available for editing choose Edit I Edit Drillhole from the
dialog menu. Remember that changes saved in this dialog will be written to the File 11,
so its a good idea to make a backup of your original DH data prior to editing. To create
a backup of your File 11, choose File I Backup File from the dialog menu, and specify
a new filename for the backup copy (e.g., test11.bak).
Displaying/Plotting Drillholes in Plan

MineSight 3-D generates plots from the contents of the viewer, so first well set up
the data we wish to plot in the viewer. In the DH View Properties dialog, <go to the
Survey tab and check the Show ID in 3-D box, and toggle Start of hole to specify the
position for the DHID label. Click Apply> to see the display changes take effect in the
viewer. Switch the viewers orientation to plan view (0 degree azimuth, -90 degree dip).
Back in the DH View Properties dialog, <go to the Selection tab and click the Cutoffs
button> to access the color cutoffs for the TOTCU item. In the color cutoff dialog,
<highlight the first two cutoff intervals and then click the Properties button. Click the
Polylines tab and then click the Node Style option. Choose an appropriate node style
for DH Collars, such as a circled cross or bulls-eye symbol, and change the node size
to 0.3. Check the Show Nodes button, and click OK>.
Create a Plot
To create our plot using the displayed drillhole data, lets use the Plot Layout created
earlier, called SET1. <Open the Plot Layout by double-clicking its name in the Data
Manager, and click Print I Preview in the dialog>. Notice that the preview window
automatically maps white to black, and vice-versa, while other colors retain their values
as in the viewer.
The plot will be more useful if we add some reference grids, so <open the Viewer
Properties by double-clicking on the Viewer 1 object in the Data Manager. On the
Grids tab, select a grid style like Labels and Lines to overlay the grids on the viewer>.
You can also add your topographic contours to your plot; simply open the object 901
from the Data Manager, and preview the plot again.

Drillhole Display in MineSight 3-D Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. acQuire Drillhole Views
acQuire Drillhole Views Notes:

The acQuire-enabled version of MineSight is needed to create drillhole views in
MineSight. This version is called ms2acq, and is available on the Mintec website as a
zip file. The file is available to registered acQuire users and is password protected, so
you will need to get the password from the Technical Support Group. You will also
need to install a facility called acqselect to get access to acQuire.
Creating Drillhole Views

There are two types of DH (drillhole) views that can be created: MineSight or
acQuire. The MineSight DH view accesses data from the MineSight Assay and Survey
project files (also called File 11 and File 12). The acQuire DH views access data from
an acQuire database via an ODBC connection.
To create an acQuire drillhole view, in the MineSight Data Manager, <right click and
select New I Drillhole View I acQuire.> You will then see a list of available ODBC
connections on your machine:
<Select the ODBC connection to the desired database, and then hit CONNECT.
Supply a user id and password to logon to the database.> For clients using Access
2000/MSDE, a user id of sa and a blank password may be required.
It will take a few seconds to make the connection. Once made, the dialog will show
Connected to.... There will be 7 tabs on the dialog.

acQuire Drillhole Views Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Select Holes
Notes:
<Select this tab to select qualifying drillholes:
Select a Collar Form Definition.> Once selected, the available fields list will be
populated with all the fields from the selected form definition.
Applying a Filter
You will want to apply a filter so only the holes you are interested in will be retrieved
from the database. The more holes selected the longer the retrieval (and any subsequent
refreshes) will take, and the more sluggish the 3-D movements in the viewer.
To apply a filter, <click on the Filter button to bring up the filter dialog::>
At a minimum, you will want to filter by project. You can filter by any field in the
Page 14-2 Part #:E004 Rev. B

Collar Form Definition. The wildcard character is % for SQL, the language used to
retrieve data from a database. You need to use the LIKE operator in conjunction with Notes:
the wildcard character. An example would be:
HOLEID LIKE D%
This would find only those drillholes beginning with a D.
If you need to filter on more than one condition, the + on the left side of the dialog
will add another row to the expressions on the right. The X will remove rows. If you
make changes to a filter, and need to apply it, use the triangle at the top left of the
dialog.
Assay Items
<Click on the Assay tab to select the assay items for the DH View.>
The first step is to select an Assay Form Definition. This will then show a list of
Available fields. <Select the fields you want to load by using the arrow buttons in the
middle of the dialog.>
You will likely need to filter. The acQuire data model can accommodate many types
of sample data - Original, composites, RQD and so on. Each type of sample can have
different intervals. To make sure you are getting what you want, you will need to filter
by SAMPLETYPE or PRIORITY. These fields are commonly used to differentiate
between different types of Assay data.

Geology Items
Notes: The Geology tab will let you select the Geology Items you want.
<Select a Geology Form Definition so you have a list of items to select from.> This
dialog is similar to the preceding one for assays. There are two additional check boxes:
Combine overlapping intervals. This will combine intervals where all the data
is the same, so there is a less cluttered display.
Select only with Primary Code. Checking this on and selecting a Primary Code
will highlight only those fields with this Primary Code in the available fields list.
These can be selected by clicking on the > button.
Interval Splitting (not needed for blastholes)

When choosing a combination of Assay and Geology data, consideration will be
needed to determine how this is displayed with respect to splitting the intervals. If the
geology data has been stored with independent FROM and TO intervals to that of the
assay data using the Interval Splitting options allow a variety of output results.
Survey (Exploration not needed for blastholes)

Notes:
The next set of options, to be considered with exploration drillhole data, is the de-
surveying options. These are found in the Survey tab.
There are a number of de-surveying options to calculate the position of the

drillholes in 3-D space. MineSight supports:
Fit Spline - will use a high order polynomial to generate a smooth curve from the
down hole survey points, a de-survey interval is required.
Semi-tangent - uses a spherical arc which is tangential to the orientation at each

survey point, a de-survey interval is required.
Back Calculation - simply assigns the survey azimuth and dip equidistant above
and below the measurement. This will produce straight line segments.
No Calculation - simply projects the measurement to the depth of the next survey
measurement in straight lines.
A de-survey interval is required when the Spline and Semi-tangent methods are
selected. This breaks the survey intervals down to a common interval used in these
calculations.
There is also an option to Always de-survey with assays to ensure a survey interval
never straddles an assay interval (which would be split by MineSight). Also very long

assay intervals (usually un-sampled pre-collar sections of drillholes) can be optionally

Notes: split to the de-survey interval. If not splitting these long intervals will result in long
straight sections in the drill holes.
Geographic Selection
The Geographic selection tab allows for holes to be included or excluded depending
upon their collar coordinates.
The standard coordinate fields are utilized for viewing unless the Redefine
coordinate fields option is used. This allows for holes to be placed and selected upon
by optional collar coordinates.
The tool also has the ability to Transform coordinates on the fly to view in
MineSight.

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Composite Data
Composite Data Notes:

Prior to this section, you must have loaded the drillhole data to MineSight. In this
section, you will calculate the drillhole composites. Following this, you can list, edit, or
display the data. You can also generate variograms and move on to mine modeling.
Learning Objective
A. The definition of composites
B. The types of composites within MineSight
C. How to compute composites
D. How to display/plot composite data in MineSight
Composites
A. Provide a mining basis for modeling
B. Reduce the amount of data used
C. Provide uniform support for geostatistics
Types of Composites
There are three types of composites within MineSight:
A. Bench (with the 3-D model)
B. Seam (with the GSM)
C. Fixed length (for geostatistics)
How Composites Are Calculated

MineSight calculates either a vertical or horizontal composite. Vertical composites
are formed by calculating the average value of all assays between the toe and crest of
each bench. Only the portion of each assay inside the bench will be used. You can
weight the values of the assays to allow for different lengths or densities.
Horizontal composites are formed by breaking the drillhole into uniform lengths and
averaging the assays inside each length.
We need a way to decide if inclined drillholes should be treated as horizontal or

vertical composites. You can specify the angle where the changeover from vertical to
horizontal occurs with PAR4 in M501V1. If you dont enter a value, by default, the
program will calculate a value based on the size of your blocks. Your blocks are DX by
DY by DZ. As the default, we use just the front face (DX by DZ). Any drillhole
shallower than the diagonal on this face will be treated as a horizontal drillhole, and any
drillhole steeper is treated as a vertical drillhole.
The limiting angle decides which compositing method to use; where the limiting
angle is defined as the angle with an ARCTAN (DZ / DX) where DZ = PCF Bench
Height and DX = PCF Horizontal Block Size.

Composite Data Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:
The vertical composite is formed by averaging the assays between the toe and crest
for each drillhole. In the example below, we have made each assay 2m in length and
had assay break at the toe and crest. The 10m bench has an average grade of 0.6.
You may have short composites at the top and bottom of drillholes, and wherever you

have missing data, as shown in the diagram below. The LNGTH item tells how much
of a bench has data. Note how missing data (-1.) does not dilute the grade. Notes:
Initialize Composite File 9

File 9 is the composite file, created from the assay file using bench compositing, fixed
length compositing, or seam compositing, depending on your requirements. Prior to
performing the compositing operation it is necessary to initialize the File 9; this is done
using the Project File Editor in MineSight Compass. <Restore the Compass dialog,
click on the Project tab and open the Project File Editor. Choose File I New from the
menu, select File type 9 - Composite, and fill out the panel as shown below. Save the
new file as msop09.dat>.

Calculate Composites
Notes: <From the MineSight Compass dialog, click the Menu tab and select the Group 2 -
Composites; looking at the Operation Calculation, select the procedure p50101.dat
(Bench Compositing)>.
Panel 1 Compute Bench Composites from Drillholes

This panel allows you to enter the area of the project or specify a boundary option to
limit the number of drillholes to be composited. In most case, the defaults for this panel
are satisfactory.
Panel 2 Items to Control Compositing

This panel allows you to specify the items to be composited; for this example, well
composite the TOTCU and MOLY grade items. Enter a file extension of 1a.
Panel 3 Compositing Options

On this panel you can enter several options for controlling the compositing
calculations. We will composite by bench.
Panel 4 Optional Weighting Item Definition

Leave this panel blank.
This list of composite data is found in the report file. LNGTH is the length of the DH
used to calculate the composite. -TO- is the distance down the hole to the bottom of the
composite.

Adding Geologic Codes to Composite Files

Notes:
The geologic information from the Assay file 11 can be transferred to the Composite
File 9 with M505V1. This coding of the composite file is done on a majority basis. That
is, if the bench composites are 15 meters in height, the geologic code for a bench would
correspond to the geologic code in File 11 that is dominant in that particular bench.
In the MineSight Compass Menu tab, under the Group Composites, Operation Data
Convert, choose the procedure p50501.dat (Add Codes to Composites).
Panel 1 - Add Drillhole Geologic Code to Composites

This panel allows you to specify the source of the Geologic codes; the codes can
either be loaded from an ASCII file or directly from a File 11. Check the box labeled
Access existing codes in File 11.
Panel 2 - Add Drillhole Geologic Code to Composites

Select the geologic items in Files 9 and 11 that apply to this run.
Many procedures for composites are similar to the ones we have already used for
assays. The following examples show:
A. Listing composite data
B. Displaying composites in plan
C. Displaying both composites and assays in section
Listing Composite Data

In the MineSight Compass dialog, <click the Menu tab and select the Group 2 -
Composites and the Operation Report; select the procedure p50301.dat (List Composite
Data)>.
Panel 1 - Labels of Composite Data Items

This panel allows you to enter the items for the report; list the composite items REF#
TOTCU, MOLY, and ZONE. Include EAST, NORTH, ELEV. so you will know the
location of the composite.
Panel 2 Optional Data Selection for Composite List

This panel allows you to select a range of drillholes by their survey record numbers or
by their ID. Since we want to list all composites, well leave this panel blank.
Panel 3 Optional Data Selection for Composite List

This panel allows you to restrict the report to items within a certain range or to omit
those within a range. Again, we want to list all composite intervals, so well accept the
defaults.

Notes:
Only a portion is displayed of the Report File RPT503.LA. Notice that ZONE has -2
values (for missing) because you have not assigned any values for this item yet.
Statistics for Composite Values

From the MineSight Compass dialog, <click the Menu tab; under the Group 3 -
Statistics and Operation Calculation, select the procedure p40201.dat (Statistics
[Composites])>.
Panel 1 - 3-D Composite Data Statistical Analysis

Enter TOTCU as the base assay for cutoffs and also report the MOLY values.
Weight the statistics by the length of the assay data used to calculate the composite.
Panel 2 - 3-D Composite Data Statistical Analysis

This panel allows you to define a range of base composite item values for analysis. A
frequency interval of 0.1 will be used for this example and all values below 0.01 will be
ignored. Note that the report file extension must be specified.
Panel 3 - Optional Data Selection

This panel allows you to limit the amount of data for analysis based on the values of
other composite file items. As an example, you may wish to report statistics for a
specific ZONE or ROCK value.
Panel 4 - 3-D Coordinate Limits for Data Selection

This panel provides you with the option of limiting the area of data selection, either

with project coordinates or through the use of a boundary file.

Notes:
Panel 5 - Histogram Plot Attributes
This panel provides options for setting up your histogram display.
The report file shows this summary by bench for the distribution of TOTCU grades.
When the report file is closed, youre given the option to preview and plot the
histogram, or to exit the program.
<From the MPLOT Panel Select Preview I Create Metafile to view the plot on the
screen. (From Viewer, Click on X to Exit & go back to MPLOT Panel.) Select Exit to
Exit MPLOT Panel>.

Notes:
Exercise
Generate composite statistics for those composites that have ROCK = 12. Hint: this
can be done with a change to Panel 1.
Displaying Composite Data in MineSight

We will now show you how to import, and display composite data in MineSight 3-D.
Basically, the process of importing composite data is almost the same as the one you
follow to import assay data. The main difference is this time you will be importing a
MineSight Composite File 9 instead of an Assay File 11.
Lets display our composites in MineSight:
A. Highlight the folder Composites, click right and choose New I DH view I
MineSight. Call the new DH View TOTCU and click OK.
B. Select the PCF (msop10.dat) and click Open.
C. Select the composites file (File 09), along with its corresponding survey file (File
12) as shown in the following illustration; since our composite coordinates are
stored in a survey file, we will make sure this is specified in the second window.
Click OK.

Notes:
D. Answer No to the question: Do you want to limit the items available in this DH/
BH view?.
E. Click the Select All button and then Load Selection. You can move or minimize
the Drillhole View Properties window to better see what is displayed on the viewer.
F. Select the Intervals tab and click the Add Label button (+ icon).
G. Under Item Label Style, check the By cutoff coloring option. Change the label
size to 4.
H. Select the Survey tab. Under the ID Label, check the Show ID in 3D option.
Change the label size to 8. Check the Start of hole position and click Apply>.
Bench Map of Composite Data

At this point, you can create a bench map of composite data in MineSight. This can
be accomplished by simply installing the Grid Set with horizontal orientation (Benches)
to the viewer, and changing the current plane to the desired elevation.
A. <Activate the properties of Viewer 1.
B. Click the green icon to the right of the Installed Grid Set line and select the Grid
Set called Benches. Click OK.
C. Change the current plane to plan 2585, using the scroll-down arrow.
D. Click the 2-D mode button.
E. Activate the Drillhole View Properties window for TOTCU (Composites) and
select the Intervals tab. Click the Remove label button. Click Apply and then OK.
Step through the planes to see how the composites lie on each plane. If you wish to
plot this information, all you have to do is open the SET1 plot layout, select Print
I Preview, then Printer (or any of the available plotting languages in MineSight)>.

Displaying composites and assays, side by side in sections

Notes: A. <In the Drillhole View Properties window of TOTCU (Composites), select the
Display tab. Change the Projection Volume to +/- 25. Click Apply.
B. Install the EW-Sections Grid Set. Select 2-D mode by clicking the 2-D mode
button. You should be looking at section North 10700.00 +/- 25 meters.
C. Select the Intervals tab and click on the thick, black line representing the drillhole
line.
D. Click the right arrow in Move Label and click Apply>. What we are doing here, is
to have MineSight display the labels (composite value) on the left side of the
drillhole line.
E. Next, we will <add a strip to the composites display by going to the Strips tab and
then clicking the Add strip button.
F. Change the location of the strips to the left of the drillhole line and change the
interval line color to black. Click Apply and then OK>.
Next, we will open a drillhole TOTCU (Assays) view and display the labels and
histograms on the right hand side.
G. <From the Data Manager, go to the folder Assays and double click the drillhole
view TOTCU>. Notice the drillhole ID is displayed twice, and the assay labels are
a bit too small. We will change this in the Properties window of the Assays TOTCU
drillhole view.
H. <Double click the TOTCU (Assays) drillhole view (from the Data Manager), and
select the Intervals tab. Change the height of the label to 4 and set the 2-D label
offset factor to 0.0.
I. Select the Display tab and uncheck the option to Display Drillhole ID in 2D. Click
Apply.
J. Finally, select the Strips/Histograms tab and change the strip width to 25. Click
Apply and then OK>.
Step through the sections to see how your assays and composites are displayed. To
plot this information, <open your SET1 plot layout, select Print I Preview and choose
the section you wish to plot>.

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Geologic Interpretation and Modeling
Geologic Interpretation and Modeling Notes:

Assumptions
Prior to this section, a sectional geological interpretation was performed, via a
digitizing table and MineSight, on what is considered the ore zone (cu > 0.2%) in this
deposit. Four EW sections were interpreted, and the resulting polygons were stored in a
VBM file with the EW orientation. This interpretation will ultimately be used to create a
solid body representing the ore zone.
Learning Objective
When you have completed this section you will know how to:
Import VBM data from MineSight Compass into MineSight 3-D
Use EW sectional interpretation to get the intersection points in horizontal planes
Do planar geological interpretation
Link the polygons defining the plan interpretation to construct a solid defining
the mineralization zone
Assign geologic code of solid (mineralized zone) to block model (MineSight

File 15) in MineSight Compass and in MineSight 3-D
Load geologic codes from model to composite file (File 9)
Importing VBM Data

Follow these steps to import the VBM data from MineSight Compass into MineSight
3-D:
1. <Close all the data you have currently loaded and visible in your viewer>.
2. <Highlight <unnamed>, click right and select New I Folder. Name this folder
GEOLOGY. Click OK>.
3. <Highlight GEOLOGY, click right and select New I Folder. Name this folder
EW-SECTIONS. Click OK>.
4. <Highlight EW-SECTIONS, click right and select Import I VBM (ASCII)

File>.
5. <Select 1701.VBM. Click Open>.
6. Exit the 2-D mode by clicking the icon on the:
Use the mouse chords to move the data around. Notice that two new objects were
automatically created inside the EW-SECTIONS folder for you when you imported the
VBM data: Geometry Object 1701 (VBM feature code), and 1701.vbm_gridset (Grid
Set with EW orientation). The Grid Set is composed of all the planes (grids) where
Part #: E004 Rev B Page 16-1

Geologic Interpretation and Modeling Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
geological interpretation was done - in this case, four planes. Double click on the object
Notes: 1701.vbm_gridset to see these planes.
7. Now <change the properties of the four green polygons by double clicking on
object 1701 (Data Manager). Change the general color to blue and check the Polygon
fill option under the Polylines tab>.
Getting intersection points in plan

To get intersection points in plan from EW sectional geological interpretation do the
following:
1. <Highlight the folder GEOLOGY, click right and select New I Folder. Name this
new folder PLANGEOL. Click OK>.
2. < Highlight PLANGEOL, click right and select Slice View >.
3. <Select Benches> as the grid set to use for the intersection points.
4. <Double click the new Geometry Object called 1701 inside the folder PLANGEOL.
Select the Points tab and change the node style to circled cross and size to 0.5.>
5. Make sure the Horizontal planes Grid Set is installed to your viewer (Viewer
Properties window). <Change to 2-D mode. Step through the planes>.
Geological Interpretation in Plan

The next step is to connect the resulting intersection points by directly digitizing them
in MineSight. The advantage of doing a planar interpretation over a sectional one, is that
the horizontal planes are usually closer together than the cross-sections, and so there is
more assay/composite information that can be used to provide more accurate results
when interpreting. Remember that this is just an exercise to learn the mechanism for
doing geologic interpretation in MineSight. It is not necessary to spend much time
interpreting each plane.
Create a new Geometry Object called orezone inside the folder called
PLANGEOL. Set this object in Edit mode to receive the data to be digitized.
Activate the properties of the viewer and install the Grid Set called Benches. <Click
the 3-D mode button.
Toggle ON the Volume Clipping box and change the current plane to Plan 2675.
On the Clipping tab, set the clipping option to equal a volume of 8 m +/-.
Toggle ON the Snap Edit grid to current plane in the Viewer Properties dialog
box. Select Snap I Plane Snap.>
To make sure you digitize exactly on a point, you need to activate the Point Snap
option under the Snap menu. <Unselect the Point Snap option when digitizing
between points. Select Polyline I Create Planar I Closed Polyline. Start
connecting the intersection points by digitizing on a clockwise direction in the
viewer>.
Page 16-2 Part #: E004 Rev B

Digitizing Tips and Tricks
If you click left and hold, a yellow line between the last point and the present
Notes:
point will appear.
The coordinates of the cursor position are reported at the bottom of the screen.
Use the Backspace key to delete the last digitized point.
Use Snaps, such as Point Snap or Line Snap, to help place points precisely on
the drillholes.
Use Polyline I Smooth I Node preserving spline to smooth it.
When digitizing North or South of the last sections, we will make use of the
scalable cursor to project the interpretation out to a certain distance. For instance,
if the spacing between drilling sections is about 150 meters, then we will set the
scalable cursor with a radius of 75 meters to project half the distance between
sections.
Set the scalable cursor by going to Tools I Scalable cursor properties. Enter
the following information:
Horiz. Interval: 25
Horiz. Radius: 75
Vert. Interval: 25
Vert. Radius: 75
Go back to Tools I Show scalable cursor. Take a look at the following picture to
see how the digitized data should look:

When you have finished digitizing the first plane, go to Polyline I Smooth . Set
Notes: the parameters for the Node Preserving Spline as follows:
nodes per segment: 5

smoothing factor: 30
Go to Selection I Save I Continue. Step down to the next plane and

continue with the interpretation. For this exercise, we will only interpret five
planes out of the 36. To see the completed planar interpretation, we will import
a MineSight object containing this information previously created for you.
From the Data Manager, <highlight the folder PLANGEOL. <Click right> and
select Import I MineSight 3-D Object. Select the file called orezonef.msr>.
The final interpretation should look like this:
Editing Polylines
When editing VBM features it is very important to make sure they remain two-
dimensional features. We used the Polyline I Create Planar option here, which
ensures this. However, if you use Polyline I Create, then it is very easy to accidentally
move points off the plane. To avoid this, edit VBM features while in 2-D mode.

In order to edit polylines they must be selected. <Click the Selection icon, then draw
a box around the polyline> you wish to edit. The polyline will turn orange. Then <click Notes:
right> in the Viewer. The polyline will turn red. It is now ready to edit. To see the
individual points on the polyline, <click the Selection Nodes> icon.
To move points on the polyline, <click Point I Move. Click the point you wish to
move and, without releasing the mouse button, drag the point to the desired location.
Click right> when finished. To add points, <click Point I Add. <Click the polyline>
and, without releasing the mouse button, drag the point to the desired location. Click
right> when finished.
To delete points,< click Point I Delete. Click the point you wish to delete. Click right
when finished>. Polyline I Densify and Smooth can be used to add points to a
polyline. Thin uses a user-specified angle to delete extra points and can also delete
duplicate points.
To edit portions of polylines, use the operations listed under Polyline I Substring.
The Element menu allows the entire polyline to be moved, rotated, scaled, and copied.
Remember to save as you edit. One way to save is with the Unselect icon, as we did
before. Another way is to <click Selection I Save Edits and Continue>. This saves
the edits and keeps the data in active Edit mode.
Undo, Redo, and the History List

In order to facilitate editing, MineSight 3-D has Undo and Redo commands available
from the icon bar. There is also a History List that allows you to access all edits
performed since the most recent Save or Save and Continue. All three of these features
are accessed through icons, and the Undo command is also found under the Selection
menu.
The Undo command reverses the effect of your most recent edit; if you
have performed multiple edits since the most recent Save, successive applications of
Undo will step back through the edits one by one.
To undo and unselect at the same time, <click Selection I Cancel Edits>. Again,
this will undo all edits since the last save, and take the data out of active Edit mode.
The Redo command reverses the effect of the previous Undo, and works
essentially the same as the Undo command, but steps forward through the list of edits.
In both cases, the Save or Save and Continue will clear the edit list, and neither Undo
nor Redo have any effect.
Each edit you make is stored in the History List until your edits are saved.
You can open the History List with its icon. All edits since the most recent Save are
listed, and if you wish to Undo or Redo multiple edits in one step, click on the desired
function, and the edits will be undone to that point, or redone, if they have been
previously undone. When you Save or Save and Continue, the History List is cleared.

Creating a Solid
Notes: Now that we have digitized all planes representing the mineralization zone, we are
going to link the polygons and construct a solid representation of the ore zone, but not
before we do a final check of the data we are going to use for creating the solid.
Polyline Check
Set the viewer properties to 3-D mode without clipping. If the polylines are properly
prepared, linking is much easier. It does take some time to prepare the polylines, but
fixing the links takes more time. <Select the polylines by clicking the Selection icon and
drawing a box around the polylines>. They will turn orange. <Click right> in the
Viewer. This will turn the polylines red. They are now in active Edit mode.
Close polylines
First, all the polylines must be closed. If you created the polylines with the Edit
function - Polyline I Create I Closed Polyline, then all of your polylines are
automatically closed. Otherwise, you need to make sure they are closed.
One easy way to see whether the polylines are closed is to change the properties of the
object so that Polygon fill on the Polylines tab is checked. All closed polylines will fill
with color. Any open polylines will look the same as before. To close a polyline, make
sure it is selected then <click Polyline I Close>.
Check Polyline Direction

Next, make sure the polylines were digitized clockwise. To do this, click Polyline I
Redefine Direction. Small blue arrows will appear on the polylines. You can make
these arrows larger by increasing the arrow size in the Redefine window.
The easiest way to make sure all the polylines are clockwise is to <uncheck Reverse
Directions Only in the Redefine window. Then, click Apply to Entire Selection, which
will set the direction of all polygons to clockwise by default. Click right in the viewer to
finish and close the dialog>.
Densify Polylines
Next, we want to be sure the polylines have enough points to link successfully.
Generally, you want a similar number of points on each polyline , with the points evenly
spaced. Since we have already taken care of this step when we used the Smooth option
while digitizing the polylines, it is not necessary to do it over again for this exercise.
However, if you wanted to change the densifying parameters, you could do so by
selecting the Polyline I Densify function and make the appropriate changes there. To
get rid of any possible duplicate, use the Thin operation. <Click Polyline I Thin. In the
Thin Strings window, check Duplicate Points Only and Entire Selection. Click Preview>
to see what is going to change first, and then Apply the changes. <Click right to finish
and close the dialog>.
Check Polyline Endpoints

Finally, we have to make sure all the endpoints are in a similar location on each of the
polylines. This is because the endpoints are the basis for linking. To do this, <select the
menu function Polylines I Redefine I All Endpoints>. If you click anywhere in the
Viewer, the endpoints will move toward the mouse click. Place the endpoints on similar
positions on all the strings. <Click right to finish>. Hint: Zoom out a few times and then
click on any of the four corners inside the viewer to where you want the endpoints to be
aligned to - note where the mouse pointer is located in the picture below.

Linking Polygons
Before we actually start linking the polygons, lets examine a few examples of bad
Notes:
linking as a consequence of not doing a polyline check prior to the linking process.
This unacceptable link is due to the polylines being digitized in opposite directions.
This unacceptable link is due to differing point densities.
If you generate bad links, make sure that all steps in polyline preparation were
completed. This is the most common cause of bad links. If the polylines are okay, then
manually add more strong nodes to try to create a better link.
Note: Checking the polylines before the linking process does not necessarily mean
you cannot correct the data while doing the linking. The data can be corrected while you
are creating the links, however, you will save time by checking the data first.

Notes: 1. From the Data Manager, create a new Geometry Object called oresolid inside the
PLANGEOL folder.
2. <Set oresolid on Edit mode by highlighting it and clicking right to select the Edit
option>. This new Geometry Object is going to contain the new linked information.
3. <Activate the properties of oresolid and toggle the Show Faces option> under the
Surfaces tab. <Toggle off Show Lines>.
4. You can either start linking from the top or from the bottom. For this exercise you
will start from the top. <Go to Tools I Linker.> Pay attention to the instructions
displayed in the Message window.
5. In the Linker window, <click Close First End, then click Link>. Click the first contour
you wish to link; it will turn yellow. Then click the second contour, and it will turn
blue. If you click right, the tool will preview the link using the endpoints as the only
guidelines. For these data, this will be satisfactory, but for more complex data, you
may need to add strong nodes.
Strong nodes are manual connections between the polylines that help in the
linking process. To add these, click the first (yellow) contour then click a
corresponding place on the second (blue) contour. A yellow line will appear,
connecting the two contours. Add a couple of strong nodes. When youve
finished adding strong nodes, <click right> and the preview link will appear. If
the link looks good, <click Apply>. If not, <click Cancel> and begin again.
Notice there are different LINK options in the Linker Tool. The first two,
Link and Partial Link, are generally used when the contours to be linked are
not regular shaped. This means that from one section to another, the polygons
are not really alike in shape. These two options allow you to do a more detailed
linking. The Quick and Auto Link are faster, more automatic ways of linking.
Contrary to the first two ways mentioned above, these two are generally applied
when the polygons to be linked are regular in shape. In this exercise, we will
use at least three of the options available.
6. When linking the rest of the contours up to the last two, first <toggle off the Close
First End option, then proceed by clicking the Quick Link button, followed by
selection of the contours to be linked. Select about 20 consecutive contours by single
clicking on each of the contours you want linked . When done, click Apply>.
7. Use the Auto Link option to connect some of the contours. To do this, <click the
Auto Link button, then draw a box in the viewer to enclose those contours you want
linked. See the picture below: Click right and then Apply> to see the result.
8. Continue linking the remaining contours until you get to the last two. At this point,
<toggle ON the Close Second End option in the Linker window, and then perform
the linking as done previously>. When you are done linking, <toggle Off the Close
Second End, Show Substrings, and Show Strong nodes options>. The complete solid
should look like the following picture:

Notes:
To redo a link, you have to delete it, then re-link it. To delete a link, <click
Delete Link I Node, then click on the link>. The link will turn yellow. If you
clicked on the wrong link, just click on the right one and it will become
highlighted. When the correct link is highlighted, <click right>.
When you redo a link, the old strong nodes will be used unless you delete them.
Delete a strong node the same way you delete a link.
When all links have been completed, <select Surface I Self-intersecting

Faces I Check and Surface I Openings I Check> to see if each link is okay.
There should be openings at each end. Any other openings, or any self-
intersections, are a reason to delete and redo the link. When you are satisfied with
all the links, <close the Link Editor window. Answer No to the question Merge
Links?>
9. <Go to the Selection menu and select Save. Close the Geometry Object called
orezonef>.
Fixing Solids
If any openings or self-intersecting triangles exist, they have to be fixed before the
solids can be used for coding, or volume and reserves computations.
Next, we are going to make a copy of the object oresolid. The original object will
contain the unmerged links, and the copy will have the merged product. We will

continue to be able to make edits to the unmerged links if it is desired.

Notes:
<Highlight the object oresolid, click right and select Copy. Then highlight the folder
PLANGEOL, click right and select Paste. Close the object oresolid and open Copy (1)
of oresolid>.
What we are going to do next is merge the individual links into a solid unit. <Go to
Selection I Make New Multi Object, and then draw a box to enclose the data in the
viewer. Click right, then go to Surface I Merge Selected>. When done, check the
new solid for self-intersecting triangles and openings as it was done previously. You
should find no intersections and no openings. <Save the Selection Edits>. Open your
TOTCU drillhole view in the Data Manager, and compare the solid with the drillhole
intervals, with values greater than 0.2 for TOTCU.
<Open the Model View ZONE from the Data Manager. Then activate its properties
and go to the Geometry tab. Click the Select button and choose the object Copy (1) of
oresolid from the browser.
Close the Model View Editor window and the solid>.

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. The Linker Tool
The Linker Tool Notes:

Learning Objective
A. Prepare polyline data for linking.
B. Create a 3-D solid from a series of closed polygons using the link editor.
C. Correct data to avoid self-intersections and openings in linked objects.
D. Verify the reliability of the resulting solid(s).
Polyline Preparation
If the polylines are properly prepared, linking is much easier. It does take some time
to prepare the polylines, but fixing the links takes much more time.
<Create a new folder under rock called plan rock and import object plan111.msr to
this folder.> Verify that it has material 11 associated with it. <Set the properties of
material 11 to a global color of purple. Change to 3-D mode without clipping>.
<Select the polylines by clicking the Selection icon and drawing a box around the
polylines>. They will turn orange. <Click right in the Viewer>. This will turn the
polylines red. They are now in active edit mode.
After selecting the polylines+, take a look at the MineSight Message window. Every
time a selection is finished, a message appears describing the data that was selected.
Here, polylines are open, polygons are closed.
Close polylines
First, all the polylines must be closed. If you created the polylines with Polyline I
Create I Closed Polyline, then all of your polylines are automatically closed.
Otherwise, you need to make sure they are closed. An easy way to see whether the
polylines are closed is to change the properties of the object so that Polygon fill on the
Polylines tab is checked. All closed polylines will fill with color. Any open polylines
will look the same as before.
To close a polyline, make sure it is selected then <click on Polyline I Close. Check
Entire Selection and click Apply. Click right to finish>. When you are done closing
polylines, turn Polygon fill off for object Plan 111.
Check Polyline Direction

Next, make sure the polylines were digitized clockwise. To do this, <select the
polygons and click Polyline I Redefine I Direction>. Little blue arrows will appear
on the polylines. You can make these arrows larger by increasing the arrow size in the
Redefine window. You may need to go to 3-D mode with Volume clipping to see only a
few at a time.
The easiest way to make sure all the polylines are clockwise is to <uncheck Reverse
Directions Only in the Redefine window. Then, click Apply to Entire Selection>, which
will set the direction of all polygons to clockwise by default. <Click right in the viewer
to finish and close the dialog.

The Linker Tool Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Densify Polylines
Notes: Next, we need to make sure the polylines have enough points to link successfully.
Generally, you want a similar number of points on each polyline and have the points
evenly spaced. We can use the Densify operation to do this if you have not already used
Polyline I Smooth.
<Click the Selection Nodes icon. Click Polyline I Densify. Enter a 50 meter point
spacing, uncheck the option to Densify segments using exact intervals, check Entire
Selection and click Preview>. This looks like a good spacing so <click Apply. Click
right to finish>.
Check Polyline Endpoints

Finally, we have to make sure all the endpoints are in similar places on all the
polylines. This is because the endpoints are the basis for linking. To do this, <click
Polyline I Redefine I All Endpoints>. If you click anywhere in the Viewer, the
endpoints will move. Place the endpoints on similar positions on all the strings. <Click
right to finish>.
Linking
Create a folder in Rock called 3-D Rock. Create a new Geometry Object in 3-D Rock
called 11Solid, with a material type of 11. Highlight 11Solid. <Click right and choose
Edit>. This allows the object to accept new data.
Make sure all the polylines are selected. Now go into 3-D mode, <using Grid Set
Benches. Check the box in the Viewer Properties window for Volume clipping. Choose
plane 2030. On the Clipping tab, set the volume clipping to unequal. Set the volume +
to 15.1 and the volume - to 7.50>. With these settings, you are limiting how many
unlinked polylines you see, while allowing a view of the linked solid as you create it.
This helps you to see which strings to choose for linking. <Click the Link Editor icon>.
Notice that the Link Editor icon remains inactive if no polylines are selected.
<Check Close First End. Query the two strings you see, to find the one at 2030>.
This will be the first contour of your solid. <Click Link. Click the first contour. It will
turn yellow. Then click the second contour>, and it will turn blue. If you click right, the
contour will preview the link using the endpoints as the only guidelines. For very similar
contours, this may be fine. But, for more complex data, you have to add strong nodes.
Strong nodes are guidelines that help in the linking process. To add these, <click the
first (yellow) contour then click a corresponding place on the second (blue) contour>. A
yellow line will appear, connecting the two contours. Add a couple of strong nodes.
When youve finished adding strong nodes, <click right> and the link will appear. This
is just a preview. <If the link looks good, click Apply. If not, click Cancel and begin
again.

Once you have made a link, in the Viewer Properties window you can toggle off
Volume clipping to see the whole solid. Then toggle it back on and move to the next Notes:
plane to continue linking.
<After applying each link, check the link for self-intersecting triangles. Do this by
clicking Surface I Self-Intersecting Faces I Check.> Any self-intersecting
triangles will be highlighted in yellow and reported in the MineSight Messages window.
<To fix a link with self-intersecting triangles, delete the link and redo it. This is done
by clicking Delete Link/Node in the Link Editor and clicking on the link. The link will
become highlighted. Click right to delete.
When redoing the link, check the strong node pairs and try adding more pairs.
Uncheck Close First End and continue linking up to plane 2315.>
Subdividing Polygons
On plan 2330, there are two contours. The contour on plane 2315 must be subdivided
to allow it to be linked with the two contours. <Choose Subdivide polygon to do this.
Select the contour on plane 2315 as the one to subdivide.
Digitize a division string, including eight to ten points, in the area in which you want
the string subdivided.> Avoid making any sharp corners in the polygons, but you can
add as many points as needed between the edges of the polygon.
There are now three possibilities for linking: the original polygon, and the two
substrings. <Link the smaller substring to the small polygon on plane 2330, and the
other substring to the large polygon on plane 2330.> The results will be a bifurcation,
joining the single polygon to the two polygons above it.
<Continue linking to plane 2435.> At this point, the two polygons merge back into
one. This situation is handled similarly to the previous bifurcation:
A. Subdivide the polygon on plane 2435.
B. Link each half to one of the two polygons on plane 2420.
C. Select the original polygon on plane 2435 to link with the polygon on plane
2450.
It is much easier to redo links at this stage than to wait until later, so if any links look
bad then redo them now. To redo a link, you have to delete it then re-link it. <To delete
a link, click Delete Link/Node, then click on the link. The link will turn yellow. If you
clicked on the wrong link, just click on the right one and it will become highlighted.
When the correct link is highlighted, click right.>
When you redo a link, the old strong nodes will be used unless you delete them.
Delete a strong node the same way you delete a link. If you have bad links, make sure
the polyline preparation was completed. This is the most common cause of bad links. If
the polylines are okay, then add strong nodes to try to create a better link.
Checking and fixing the individual links is easier than checking and fixing the
merged solid. After completing all the links, check them as described in the Fixing
Solids section on page 4.
<When you get to the last two contours, check Close Second End.> These two
options are the easiest way to close the ends of the solid. However, you can use the

Extrude tool or Surface I Create solid I Dissipate boundary to point on the end
Notes: contours as well.
Before you close the linker, check your links as follows:
A. Go to 3-D mode without clipping.
B. Set the dip to 0 degrees.
C. Use Surface I Self-Intersecting Faces I Check to verify that all the links are
OK.
<When you are satisfied with all the links, after checking each link or self-
intersections and other problems, close the Link Editor window. Answer No to the
question Merge Solids? and create a copy of 11solid in the 3-D folder.>
Checking the Solid

<Double click on Material 11 in the Data Manager window to bring up the
Properties window. On the Surfaces tab, uncheck Show Lines and check Show Faces.
Set its global color the same as the drillhole intervals with Rock=11. Unselect the
contours and close object 11 in folder W-E-Rock.>
There are two things to check for in solids. The first is openings. <To check for this,
click Surface I Openings I Check. Then click on the solid.> Any openings will be
highlighted in yellow and reported in the MineSight Messages window.
The other thing we need to check for is self-intersecting triangles. <To do this, click
Surface I Self-Intersecting Faces I Check. Then click on the solid.> Any self-
intersecting triangles will be highlighted and reported in the MineSight Messages
window.
Fixing Solids
If any openings or self-intersecting triangles exist, they have to be fixed before the
solids can be used. Openings have two common causes. First, if you didnt use Close
First End or Close Second End when linking, to close the ends of the solid, you will
get openings. <In this case, select the end contour and click Surface I Triangulate
Surface-Inside Polyline Boundary. Then click on the contour. Bring up the Link
Editor window again and click Merge Links.>
The other common cause of openings is not merging the links. In this case, each link
will be separate. So when you check for openings, it will only check one link at a time
and both ends of the link will be open. All you need to do is bring the Link Editor
window up and click on Merge Links.
Self-intersecting triangles are a little more difficult. These generally result from
problems with the polylines. <Check all the things listed in the preparation section first.
Then redo the link.> However, since you have already merged the links, redoing the link
is a little different.
<Start by selecting the solid.> Make sure it is the solid that is selected, not the VBMs.
Now we have to delete the existing link. One way to do this is <click Point I Group
Delete. Draw boxes around the points you want to delete.> Points on the solid are
located where VBM contours were. <When all the points are chosen, click right.> This
will delete two links, one on either side of where the VBM feature was.
<The other way to delete a link is by clicking Surface I Delete Face. Then select all
the faces in the link you want to delete. Click right.

When the link is deleted, unselect the solid and select the VBM features. Open the
Link Editor and redo the link. In order to avoid more self-intersecting triangles, add Notes:
more strong nodes. Make sure the existing strong nodes are a good match.
Make sure you click Merge Links after redoing the links.
To redo the link is still the best way to fix self-intersecting faces problem but a new
option is to split the sefl-intersecting faces. To do this select the solid and shoose
Surfaces I Self-intersecting faces I Split.
Any time you change a solid, always recheck it for openings and self-intersecting
triangles.
When you have completed 11solid, highlight the folder Plan Rock and import the
MineSight 3-D object plan12.msr. Highlight the folder 3-D Rock and import the
MineSight 3-D object 12solid.msr. Open the object 12solid.. View object 12Solid in 3-D
mode without clipping. Find the opening in 12solid using Surface I Check for
Openings. Leave the highlights visible.> We will use an alternate method to close this
opening.
Dissipating an opening to a point

Follow these steps to dissipate an opening to a point.
1. Temporarily close 12 solid.
2. Open object plan12 in folder Plan Rock. Select the string that matches the
highlights. Then turn highlights off.
3. Turn Point snap on. Choose Edit Grid I Snap to 3 Points. Snap it to the edges
of the polygon that defines the opening. Choose Edit grid I Edit. Enter a value
of 15 in the box labeled, Move along normal, then select Apply. The direction it
moves should be away from the series of polylines in object plan12. Once you
have the edit grid in the right location, change the grid length to 25 and the grid
size to 5 meters along both axes. Select Apply. Close the Edit Grid window.
4. Put object 12solid from folder 3D Rock into Edit mode. Set its properties to view
it as a wireframe.
5. Turn Grid snap on.
6. Choose Surface I Create Solid I Dissipate Boundary to a point. Click on

the polygon that defines the opening, and drag the mouse to the edit grid in a
central location. A new surface will be created which closes the opening.
7. If your surface does not get created where you like it, you can save the polygons,
select surface 12 solid, and use Point I Delete to delete the point and all associated
faces. Try again from step 3, first saving the surface and putting the polylines in
Plan12 back into selection mode.
8. Once you have a good surface, bring up the linker again and choose Merge links,
to merge the new surface with the rest of 12solid. Check 12 solid for openings
again to make sure you closed it.
Auto Link and Quick Link

Next we will create solids for our alteration types. <Import the MineSight object
2.msr to the folder ..\_msresources\alteration\W-E-Alteration, replacing the existing
copy. Open Geometry Object 2 in folder W-E-Alteration. Prepare these strings with the

four steps, just like we did before: polygon fill, global densify, redefine direction, and
Notes: redefine all end points. Leave object 2 selected.
Create a new folder underneath Alteration called 3D-Alteration. Create a new

Geometry Object in 3D-Alteration called 2Solid with a material type of 2. Put 2Solid
into Edit mode. Bring up the Link Editor.>
Notice that the first eight polylines in this Geometry Object are approximately the
same size, and do not change shape drastically. These factors allow us to take advantage
of Auto link and Quick link. Lets use Auto link to link the first half of the solid.
<Change your azimuth and dip so that you can see the individual polylines. Click
Auto Link. Then click on the polylines one at a time in sequence.> As you click on each
polyline it will be highlighted.
<After you have clicked on about half of the polylines, click right in the viewer. A
preview of the links will appear. If this looks good, click Apply. The 11 th plane has two
features. Use the Subdivide polygon option to link it to the single feature on either side.
Quick link has no option to choose among substrings for the correct polyline, so once
you have linked segment 11 to segment 12, delete all substrings before continuing to
link.> You may want to attach msop25.we_gridset, and use 3-D mode with clipping for
this.
Now lets use Quick link to link the rest of the polylines. <Turn off clipping and click
Quick Link. Then click on the polylines one at a time in sequence, just like before.>
This time, as you click on each polyline the preview of the link will automatically
appear.
<When you have linked all the strings, click Apply.> As you can see, there is very
little difference between Auto link and Quick link. They are both very useful when
dealing with simple geometry.
<Close the ends of this solid using one of the methods we looked at earlier. Merge the
links and check the solid.>
Partial Link
Next we will create a solid for alteration type 3. <Close everything that is open and
open Geometry Object 3 in folder W-E-Alteration. Prepare these polylines and create
Geometry Object 3Solid in folder 3D-Alterations to store the solid in. Put it in Edit
mode.>
Notice that the solid we create will have a pant-leg look where one large feature splits
into two small features. We can use partial link to link them.
<To link the bottom half of the large polyline to the next polyline, begin by clicking
Partial Link in the Link Editor window. Next click on the points on the large polyline
where you want to divide it.>
The segment of the polyline you selected will become highlighted and MineSight
will ask you if this is the correct segment.
Now MineSight is expecting you to specify only a segment of the next polyline.
<What you need to do is, click on the top of this polyline twice.> This picks the same
point for the start and end of the segment. You will not be asked if this is the correct
segment in this case.
<Now go ahead and add strong node pairs and finish the link as normal.

Use the same procedure to link the top half of the large polyline to its match.
However, make sure when you pick the start and end of the first polyline to click on the Notes:
same points you clicked on before. Finish linking the solid.>
Exercise
Prepare and link the alteration type 1, 4 and 5 polylines.

Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Creating Surfaces and Solids
Creating Surfaces and Solids Notes:

Learning Objective
A. Create a surface from VBM features
B. Use the Intersector Tool to create a solid from the intersection of surfaces with a
solid
C. Calculate the volume of the resulting solid
D. Create surfaces from drill hole data.
Creating a Surface from VBM Features

Weve already seen how to create solids from closed VBMs with the Link Editor.
Now we will use the same process to create a surface from open VBM strings.
Import VBMs
<Close any open objects. Create a folder called ns-sect. Highlight this folder and
click right. Then click Import I VBM (ASCII) file. The name of the file is nssect.vbm.
Click on ns-sect to see what was imported. You can see that importing file nssect.vbm
created five Geometry Objects. Close all of the Geometry Objects except 417.
Create another folder called Surfaces.>
Link VBMs
<Create a Geometry Object called 417Surface in folder Surfaces. Put 417Surface
into active Edit mode. Select all the VBM strings. Open the Link Editor. Use Quick
Link or Auto Link to link all the VBM features together. Answer Yes to the question to
merge the shells as you exit the Link Editor.
Unselect and close object 417 in folder n-s sect. Change the properties on the
Geometry Object 417Surface so that on the Surfaces tab the faces are On and the lines
are Off.>
Creating a Solid from Two Surfaces

MineSight will calculate the volume between the top and bottom surface and use the
limiting polygon as a cookie cutter, cutting vertically down from the top surface to the
bottom, to form the area to be calculated. Now we are going to create a solid from the
two surfaces we have created. We have some VBM features outlining property
boundaries that we will use in this operation.
Import VBMs
<Open Geometry Object surf-geo301 in folder 301 so that both surfaces are in the
Viewer. Create a new folder called Owners. Highlight this folder, click right and click
Import I VBM (ASCII) file.> The file to use is owners.vbm.
<Click on the Owners folder to see what was imported. Notice there are three
Geometry Objects representing three different owners. Close objects 601 and 602,
leaving 603 in the Viewer.

Creating Surfaces and Solids Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Extruding a Solid From a Polyline

Notes: A. <Create a new Geometry Object called extrusion in folder Surfaces, and put it in
Edit mode.
B. Select the polyline that is object 603. Click Surface I Create Solid I using
Extrude Tool. Click on object 603 to choose it as the polyline to extrude.
C. In the Extrude/Expand window, enter 100 as the extrude distance, and -90 as the
dip. Toggle ON the Connect polylines and Extrude Along checkboxes.
D. For the first extrusion, also toggle ON Close Ends Against, then click Apply.
E. Uncheck the box to Close Ends Against, then continue to click Apply until the
new surface extrudes through the bottom of 417surface.
F. Then check the box to Close Ends Along, and click Apply one more time.
Click right to exit the extrude tool and close the extrude window. Unselect the VBM
string and select the extrusion. The easiest way to do this is, highlight Geometry Object
extrusion in the Data Manager, click right and click on Select I All Elements. Click
Surface I Merge Selected.> This takes the individual extrusions and combines them
into one solid. <Unselect the extrusion and change properties to unselect lines and
select surfaces. Also close the object 603 in folder Owners.>
Using the Intersector Tool to Obtain Desired Solid

<Create a new Geometry Object called Solid in folder Surfaces. Open this Geometry
Object and put it in Edit mode.
Select the solid object for editing, then click Surface I Clip Surfaces and Solids.
Choose the two surfaces as the boundaries and select the extruded solid for editing. Use
the blue surface icon to choose objects from the viewer. Select the Remove Outside
button under Results, and check the box to close solids against boundaries. Click on
Preview. The part of the extruded solid between the two surfaces should be highlighted.
Send the results to the open edit object by checking the appropriate box on the Options
tab. If the correct section is highlighted, click Apply.
Close Geometry Objects surf-geo301, 417surface and extrusion. Change the

properties of object Solid in folder Surface so that the edges are off and the faces are
on.>
Compute Volume
<Choose Surface I Compute Volume I Solid Volume. Click on the solid in the
viewer. The volume will appear in the Viewer and will also be reported in the MineSight
Messages window. If it does not appear in the viewer, choose File I Project Settings I
Volumes, and check the box to Display Results in Viewer, then recompute the volume.
Close the solid.>
Alternative Method to Compute the Volume Between Surfaces

If all you want is the volume between two surfaces, given a boundary polygon, there
is an easier way to calculate it without the need to create a surface.
A. <Close all objects except these three:
Surf_geo301 in folder surfaces
603 in folder Owners

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Creating Surfaces and Solids
417Surface in folder Surfaces

Notes:
B. Choose Surface I calculate volume
C. Answer Yes to the question, Are these the correct surfaces?
D. Check the Limit by Polygons? box.
E. Click on object 603 in the viewer to select it as the limiting polygon, and then
click right.
F. Answer Yes to the question, Correct polygon?>
Create Surfaces From Drill Hole Data

Creating a Surface from the Top Occurrence of an Item
For data that is relatively flat-lying, another way to create surfaces is to allow
MineSight 3-D to create points at the top of the first occurrence, then triangulate these
points into a surface.
1. <Create a new folder under folder <unnamed>, called 301.
2. Create a new drillhole view called GEO in folder Assays. Choose PCF geol10.dat.
Choose assay file geol11.dat and survey file geol12.dat. Select display item GEO
and set its cutoffs to 200 to 700 with an increment of 25.
Select and load all the holes. Since this data is centered in a different area than
the MSOP project, you will have to highlight object GEO, click right for the
menu and choose target to bring it into view.
3. On the Points tab of the Drillhole View Properties window, choose the option for
the Top Occurrence. Choose item GEO and set its integer value to 301. Then
click the Generate button.> An Open a geometry file window will come up.
<Choose folder 301 and name the new object geo301.> This object will be set
into Edit mode, and markers of the first occurrence of GEO=301 will be stored
in it.
4. <Close drill hole view GEO in folder Assays. In folder 301, create a new object
called surf_geo301 and put it in Edit mode. Now select all elements in object
GEO301. Choose Surface I Triangulate Surface I With Selection in Plan.
Send the results to the open edit object. Then Save the selection and close geo301
in folder Assays.> The new surface reflects the top of GEO = 301.
Constructing a Solid From a Surface

We will construct a solid using this surface, 20 meters in thickness, to represent the
transition zone. This might represent a transition zone between hypogene and supergene
mineralization.
1. <In folder 301, make a copy of object surf_geo301: Choose Edit I Copy, then
Edit I Paste, from the top menu of the data manager. Open the new object,
bring up its properties, and change its name to solid301. Put solid301 into Edit
mode. Then close object surf_geo301.>
2. To create the floor of the solid, we can make a copy of the top surface. <Select
solid301. Choose Tools I Point Editor.> The Point Editor window will appear,
but all functions will be greyed out.

Creating Surfaces and Solids Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
3. <Choose Element I Copy. Check the Entire selection box. Select a count of 1,
Notes: then click on any point on solid301 to use it as a reference node.> Now the Point
Editor is activated, and the relative x, y and z options are checked.
<Enter -20 in the relative z window, and then select Apply. This will create a new
surface, 20 m. down from the original, in object solid301. Click right when done,
then Save the selection.
4. Choose Surface IOpenings I Check and click on the top surface in solid301.
Then click on the bottom surface.> This should create highlights all around the
edges of each surface. <Click right when done to remove the rectangular blue
markers.
5. Choose Tools I Utility Markers I Copy to Edit Object.> This will copy the
highlights to two polylines in object solid301. <Then click the icon to clear all
markers.
6. Highlight object solid301, click right and choose Select I Polylines I All, then
click right. To verify that your selection was made, briefly choose Selection I
Show Only Selection. Choose Polyline Close I Entire Selection I Apply
to ensure that both polylines are closed. Then uncheck this option.
7. Choose Tools I Linker and link the two polylines, leaving ends open. Use the
link option, and be sure to press Apply. Merge shells on Exit. Then Save the
selection.>
Validating the Solid

Verify that the solid is well made with the two checking options:
A. Surface I Check for Openings
B. Surface I Check for Self- Intersections
The surface should not have either problem.

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Manipulating Surfaces
Manipulating Surfaces Notes:

Learning Objectives
When you have finished this section, you will be able to:
A. use the Intersect Solids tool
B. create various surface combinations with the Intersect Surfaces Tool
C. become familiar with the Object Contents Browser
D. clip solids and surfaces against each other
E. patch holes in solids and surfaces automatically, and
F. repair duplicate and self-intersecting faces
Using the Intersect Solids Tool

The Intersect Solids Tool is used when you wish to intersect two or more closed
solids in MineSight. It is not necessary that the solids youre intersecting be selected for
editing, but they must be closed solids for best results. The solids (or groups of solids)
to be intersected can be specified either by picking from the viewer with the mouse, or
through the use of the Object Contents Browser (OCB).
<Open the Intersect Solids tool from the Surface menu; notice that there are two
icons to the right of the fill-in boxes for the Group A and Group B solids. Click the first
icon, a wavy blue surface, to select a solid from the MineSight Viewer window. To make
the selection, click the icon under Group A in the tool, then click left in the viewer on
the solid(s) you wish to select. Once you have selected all the solids for a group, click
right in the viewer to end the selection. Repeat the process for the Group B solid(s) you
wish to intersect.>
The second icon, a window with a red box and an arrow, is the Object Contents
Browser, called the OCB for short. Click on this to select an object from anywhere in
the project, whether open or not. The OCB window will come up. You can click on the
red box to browse the project, and find the object to be used. Once you have the
contents of the object showing in the left hand window of the Object Contents Browser,
you can select one or more element to be used by clicking on the item so that it shows
up in the right hand window.
There are four solids options for results, as well as an option to return the lines of
intersection between the solids. The four solids options are illustrated below. In each
case, the ore body solid has been defined as solid A and the dike solid has been
defined as solid B. The output from this tool is sent directly to the Open Edit Object; if
there is no Object in Edit mode, you will be prompted for the destination of the results.

Manipulating Surfaces Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:

Notes:
Using the Intersect Surfaces Tool

<Close all objects except 417Surface. From folder Surfaces, choose Import I
Minesight Object I dike surface.msr.> The dike surface should intersect with
417Surface as shown in the illustration below.
We will check various options of the Surface Intersector with these two surfaces.
A. <Choose Surface I Intersect Surfaces.
B. Choose 417Surface as the primary surface using the Object Contents Browser.
C. Choose dike surface as the secondary surface using the Viewer.>

The Intersect Surfaces tool has a comprehensive set of options for generating new
Notes: surfaces from the intersection of two existing surfaces. The tool requires that you define
one surface as the Primary surface and one surface as the Secondary surface, and this
definition controls the relationship of the resulting intersected surface. Either the
Primary or Secondary surface can be limited by one or more polygons to limit the
results as well. Note that only one surface can be defined as either Primary or Secondary
for each operation; if multiple surfaces must be intersected, simply merge those surfaces
prior to the intersection function.
The results from the Intersect Surfaces tool can be Merged Surfaces, Solids, Primary
Surfaces, Secondary Surfaces, or Lines of Intersection. Each of these results sets can
have a variety of specific results depending on the orientation of the surfaces and which
is defined as Primary or Secondary. To illustrate the variety of results available with this
tool, well examine the operation with the two currently open surfaces, defining the 417
surface as the Primary surface, and the dike surface as the Secondary surface.
Merged Surfaces
The Merged Surfaces option creates one new surface based on the two input surfaces;
the original surfaces and the resulting eight possible output surfaces are described
below:
Fill Surface (diff) - this option patches the portion of the Secondary surface
which is above the Primary surface into the Primary surface, deleting that portion
of the Primary surface which is below the Secondary surface.
Fill Surface (union) - this option returns the topmost combined surface, or the
maximum of both the Primary and Secondary surfaces.
Fill Surface (int) - this option returns the topmost combined surface, in the area
where the Primary and Secondary surfaces overlap.
Cut Surface (diff) - this option patches the portion of the Secondary surface
which is below the Primary surface into the Primary surface, deleting that portion
of the Primary surface which is above the Secondary surface.
Cut Surface (union) - this option returns the bottom most combined surface, or
the minimum of both the Primary and Secondary surfaces.
Cut Surface (int) - this option returns the bottom most combined surface, in the
area where the Primary and Secondary surfaces overlap.
Patch Surface (diff) - this option patches the Secondary surface into the Primary
surface, deleting that portion of the Primary surface which is overlapped by the
Secondary surface.
Patch Surface (union) - this option patches the portion of the Secondary surface
which is internal to the Primary surface (viewed in plan) into the Primary surface,
deleting that portion of the Primary surface which is overlapped by the Secondary
surface.
Experiment with some of the options. Note that quite different results can be obtained
from the same two surfaces if their definitions as Primary and Secondary are reversed.

Notes:

Notes:
Solids
The Intersect Surfaces tool can also generate solids from the intersection of two
surfaces; either a Cut Surface or a Fill Surface can be created. The solids generated from
the two current surfaces are displayed and described below. Note that a vertical surface
between the two surfaces is generated if the surfaces do not completely intersect.

Notes:
One of the most common usages for the Fill and Cut Solid option is to generate solids
in order to determine the volume of the solid; the following exercise demonstrates this
usage.
Exercise: Cut and Fill Solids

Step 1 <Create two new Geometry Objects in folder Surfaces, called Cut and Fill.
Step 2 Store the results of the cut solid operation to object cut and the results of the
fill solid operation to object fill.> Recall that an object must be in Edit mode
to store new data inside it. When you click Apply, you will be able to choose
an object in which to store the results. Whichever object you select, it will be
placed in Edit mode.
Step 3 <Choose Surface I Compute Volume I Solid Volume. Click on one of

the two new solids. Note the volume in the Message window.
Primary Surfaces/Secondary Surfaces

The Primary and Secondary Surfaces options in the intersect Surfaces tool are
complementary to each other. These options each generate six different possible
surfaces, which are described and displayed below.
Primary Surface Options

Notes:

Notes:
Secondary Surface Options

Notes:

Notes:
Lines of Intersection
The Lines of Intersection option generates polylines at the junction of the defined
Primary and Secondary surfaces. This function generates the same results, no matter
which surface is defined as Primary or Secondary.
Clip Surfaces and Solids

This function allows you to clip one or more existing surfaces or solids against
another surface or solid, or a polyline boundary. The results can be applied directly to
the selected surface/solid, or a clipped copy of the data can be saved to an edit object,
leaving the original data intact. This function, unlike the Intersect Solids or Intersect
Surfaces tools, requires that the data to be clipped is open in the Viewer and selected for
editing. Note that it is not necessary that the boundary surface/solid/polyline be selected
for editing.
Lets take a look at some of the features of this tool; <create a new folder called Clip
Results and import three MineSight Objects, polyline.msr, solid.msr and surface.msr,
from your project directory>. Since this tool also sends the results directly to the Open

Edit Object;
Notes:
1. Create a new Geometry Object; accept the default name (Geometry1) and material
type (Geometry) for the new object, and put it in Edit mode.
2. Select the solid Geometry Object for editing
3. Choose the Clip Surfaces and Solids tool from the Surfaces menu. Select the
solid data as the solid to be clipped by clicking in the Viewer; click right to end
the selection.
There are two tabs in the Clip Surfaces and Solids dialog, the General tab and the
Options tab. The General tab allows you to select the type of results you desire and
specify the boundary or boundaries to use for clipping. There are four options for
results: Remove inside (or inside/above), Remove outside (or outside/below), Remove
coplanar, and Split at boundaries. The checkbox allows you to specify that the resulting
portions of the original solids be closed against the boundary. If using an open surface
for clipping, check the box to extrude open surface to solid, which refers to the
boundary surface, and toggles the Results between inside-outside and inside/above-
outside/below. Finally, the General tab has a checkbox so you can clip all selected data;
the default behavior requires that the data to be clipped be selected individually by
clicking with the mouse.
The Options tab in the Clip Surfaces and Solids dialog provides four advanced
options for handling of the clipped data or the boundary; the upper section of this tab
affects the manner in which the input data is handled. The first option, Orient Boundary
(polygon/surface) by Edit Grid, will re-orient the boundary object to the orientation of
the selected Edit Grid. The default behavior is to orient the boundary horizontally, no
matter the orientation of the boundary polyline/surface itself. This option has no effect if
the clipping boundary is a closed solid.
The next option, Clip each element separately (if elements to be clipped overlap), will
treat each surface separately if the surfaces actually overlap, returning a separate
element for each source element. If the box is left unchecked, the overlapping surfaces
are combined before clipping, and will be returned as a single element.
In the lower section of the Options tab, there are two options for the output from the
tool. The first checkbox, Explode results (Maximize number of elements), will produce
each resulting surface or solid that is independent in space as a separate element. If this
box is left unchecked, all elements output from the same Object are merged into a single
surface/solid.
The second output option allows you to have the output sent to the Open Edit Object,
leaving the original data intact. If this box is left unchecked, the source data will be
altered as specified by the rest of the options in the tool, and the original data will be
lost. Some of the various options are displayed below; try these and other options to
become familiar with this powerful tool.
Lets look at a couple of options using a polyline as a clipping boundary on a seam

surface; the data is shown (starting on the next page), with the solid selected for
clipping, and the polyline specified as the clipping boundary.

Notes:
If we perform this function without closing the solids against the boundary, the results
will be just the upper and lower surface of the seam, as shown below.
If we perform the same operation, but opt to close the solids against the boundary by
clicking the checkbox, the result will be a closed solid, as shown in the next figure.

Notes:
Another powerful option in this tool is the ability to re-orient the clipping polygon/
surface to an Edit Grid. Well use the same two objects as the previous example to
demonstrate this feature, with the addition of a non-orthogonal Edit Grid.
Now, well perform the same function, closing the solid against the boundary, but this
time the boundary will be projected towards the solid in a direction perpendicular to
the Edit Grid, as shown on the next page. This option also works when using a surface
as the boundary.

Notes:
Repairing problems with surfaces

Some complex data sets can produce surfaces with openings, self-intersecting
triangles, or duplicate faces when the surfaces are intersected. MineSight 3-D contains
utilities that check surfaces for these problems and then automatically repair these
defects in most cases. When you create a new surface by intersecting two or more
existing surfaces, it is good practice to check the new surfaces for evidence of these
problems. The check options are available for all data, and the repair functions are
available for selected data objects.
To check a surface or solid for one of the three defects, select Surface I Openings I
Check, Surface I Duplicate Faces I Check, or Surface I Self-Intersecting
Faces I Check. If one of the problems is noted, you can then select the object and
apply one of the associated repair function: Surface I Openings I Patch, Surface I
Duplicate Faces I Delete, or Surface I Self-Intersecting Faces I Split. If youre
deleting Duplicate Faces, you will also be prompted to specify whether to delete all
duplicate faces or all but one. If youre patching openings, you will be prompted for a
maximum size opening to patch; this prevents the program from attempting to patch the
boundary of a surface (which is considered an opening).

Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. The Extrude Tool
The Extrude Tool Notes:

Learning Objective
When you have completed this section, you will be able to extrude a solid from a
polyline, and verify its integrity.
Using the Extrude Tool

We will now create the solid for rock type 13 with the Extrude Tool. We have a
planar VBM of the boundary of rock type 13 on the lowest bench. We will extrude up
from this string to create our solid.
<Import Bench.vbm into folder Rock>. This will create one object 3 and a
corresponding grid set. This is the boundary at the bottom bench, at elevation 2000. We
want to extrude the outline above topography. <Create a new Geometry Object called
13solid in folder 3D-Rock with material 13. Put 13solid into active Edit mode.
Select the string defining the outline of rock type 13. Open the Extrude Tool by
clicking Surface I Create Solid I using Extrude Tool. Click the string, and the
Extrude Tool will open. Using the Distance + Offset mode, change the Distance to 100
and leave the Offset at 0.> The Extrude Direction is perpendicular to the plane
containing the selected string. Since we are extruding a horizontal VBM, the extrude
direction will have an Azimuth of 0 and a Dip of 90. The blue arrow in the Viewer
indicates the direction of extrusion.
Note: Long thin triangles or trapezoids in solids may cause problems when intersecting.
To avoid this, keep the extrusion distance small and create solids using a series of
extrusions.
For the first extrusion we want to <toggle on Connect Polylines and Close Ends
Against.
Click Preview, and if the extrusion looks good, click Apply.
For the next 5 extrusions toggle off Close End Against, but keep Connect Strings
toggled on.
For the final extrusion, toggle on Close Ends Along to create the completely enclosed
solid.
Exit the Extrude Tool and unselect and close object 3. Select the entire solid and
click on Surface I Merge Selected.> This will combine the seven separate extrusions
into one solid and take care of any openings.
So far we have created solids that represent rock types 11, 12, and 13 as well as
alteration types 2 and 3. There are two more alteration types that need solids. Luckily
alteration type 4 corresponds to rock type 12 and alteration type 5 corresponds to rock
type 13. Instead of building these solids again, we can just make copies of the existing
solids. This is done in the Data Manager window.
<Highlight 12Solid, click right and select Copy. Highlight folder 3-DAlteration, click
right and select Paste. A copy of 12 Solid will appear in folder 3-DAlteration. Open this
copy and change the name to 4Solid. Give it a material type of 4.>

The Extrude Tool Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Exercise
Notes: Create 5Solid by copying 13Solid; import 1solid.msr from the project directory.

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Initializing the Model
Initializing the Model Notes:

In this section you will initialize the mine model. This is required before you can add
grades, geology, or topography to the mine model.
Learning Objective
When you have completed this section you will know:
A. The required model items and their default values
B. How to initialize the model
Model Items
Decide which items you want to store for each block in your block model in the same
manner that you chose which items to use for the assays and composites.
Types of items that are useful to store are:
Topo value (% below topography)
Rock codes
Fault block codes
Grades
Estimation variance
Distance to the closest composite
Ownership codes
The MineSight mine model was designed with the consideration that all information
which may be needed to describe any block is stored together for each block of the
model. Therefore each block should contain at least one grade value, the percent of the
block below the surface topography and a type code to be used to classify material in
reserve calculations.
Carefully consider what items are needed to adequately define the deposit and what
should be their value range. Doing this can save you a lot of time and effort later on.
When the model is initialized, it has every item value in every block preset. These
values will be changed as you interpolate grade, add geology, or add topography. The
initialization gives you the opportunity to preset the item values to your choices. The
following list gives you some practical suggestions for default values.
Grades Initialize to zero
Topography Initialize to 100%
Rock Types Initialize to the majority type
Percent Mined Initialize to zero

Initializing the Model Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes: Typical items for the 3-D block model:
ROCK Rock code
TOPO Topo code
GRADE Grade items
NCOMP Number of composites used to interpolate the block
EQUIV Equivalent grade
DIST Distance to the closest composite
CONF Confidence code (Proven, Probable, Possible)
Initialize Mine Model File 15

Initialization of the Mine Model is accomplished in much the same way as the
intialization of other Project Files such as the assay and composite files. <In the
MineSight Compass interface, go to the Project tab and open the Project File Editor.
Choose File I New from the menu, and select the file type 15 - 3D Block Model>.
If youre using the Mintec sample project for training, fill out the project file editor
dialog as shown above; if youre using other data for training, appropriate item names
and values should be used.

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Initializing the Model
Spot Check of Model in MineSight 3-D

Notes:
The model can be checked for correct initialization using the MineSight 3-D
graphical interface; the same procedure can be used at any time to check for proper
coding or to examine model item values.
Creating a New Model View

1. <From the Data Manager, highlight New Resource Map I Folder. Name this
folder BLKMODEL1>.
2. <Highlight folder BLKMODEL1, click right and select New I Model View. Name
this view ZONE. Click OK>.
3. <Click the Select PCF button and highlight the file called msop10.dat. Click Open>.
4. <Select the block model file (file 15) named msop15.dat and click OK>.
A new dialog shows up in the viewer. This dialog is called the MineSight Model
View Editor, where you can perform several operations on the block model, such as
code assignment, exposed ore, block edits, etc.
5. <Under the Display tab, change the Primary Display item to ZONE by clicking on
the Item Selector icon and highlighting ZONE>.
6. Next, MineSight will display a new window, called Cutoff face colors, so that you
can specify the range of values and colors for the item of interest.
7. <Click the Intervals button and enter 1 for the minimum, 3 for the maximum, and 1
for the increment>.
8. <Now, highlight all intervals by going to Edit I Select All. Then click the Properties
button. From this new Object Properties window, click the Set Color by range
button, and then the OK button on the Color Range window>. You can adjust the
range of color if you wish, by moving the left/right control buttons. <Click OK on
the Object Properties>.
The colors for each interval can also be changed individually, by highlighting the
particular interval and clicking on the Properties button. Then, from the Global color
icon under the Display tab, choose the color to be assigned to the interval. For this
exercise, we will leave the colors as they appear on the Cutoff Face Color window.
Note: the Cutoff Face Colors window can be activated anytime, by clicking the Cutoffs
button under the Display tab of the MineSight Model View Editor. You can also select
the particular item (object) under the Items folder in the Data Manager.
9. <While still in the MineSight Model View Editor, go to the Range tab and, for the
3-D display limits, adjust the levels range to show between elevation 4000 and
3700 (levels 25 to 44). Click Apply to see the portion of the block model you have
specified>. Note that the range of columns and rows can also be adjusted for the
3-D display as well as for 2-D display under this same tab.
To check the initialization of your model file, use the query option: <choose Tools I
Query I Element from the MineSight menu, and click on any block in the model>. A
spreadsheet-like window comes up, displaying the values of all items in the specified
model block. Confirm the values of the five items that received initial values (TOPO,
ORTYP, LITHO, ZONE, ORE%).

Initializing the Model Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:
Additional model display options and
functions are explored in more detail in the
MineSight for Modelers Training Course.
<Click the X on the dialog title bar to close>.

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Adding Topography to the Model
Adding Topography to the Model Notes:

Prior to this section you must have initialized the model and loaded your digitized
topography to a VBM file. In this section you will transfer the topography from the
VBM to the mine model. This can be done before or after grade interpolation, but it
must be done before reserve calculations or pit designs.
Learning Objective
In this section you will learn how to:
initialize File 13 (Gridded Surface File),
grid the topography and load it to the Surface File (File 13),
and assign TOPO% values to the block model.
Topography
Topography is usually digitized from a map, loaded into a VBM file and then
transferred to the Surface File (File 13). In the absence of a topo map, other methods
can be used. One would be to manually code the average elevation of each surface
block and enter that into File 13. Another method would be to use the elevations of the
drillhole collars within MineSight to interpolate a surface for File 13.
The elevation of a contour line is the plane reference number for the VBM.
Topography is generally digitized so that uphill is to the right, air is to the left.
Normally, the toe elevation of the topography is digitized so that there can be
interaction between the digitized topography and a digitized or generated pit design.
Loading Topography
The procedure shown in this section will convert the digitized topography to a surface
grid and then transfer that grid to the block model. If the menu sequence shown here is
used, File 13 will accurately reflect your VBM data. If you have generated File 13 by
other ways (or you have modified the file), print or plot a map of File 13 to verify the
data before adding the topography to the 3-D block model.
To add topography to the model:
1. Initialize the 2-D Surface Model.
2. Build a DTM from the VBM contours and use the DTM to determine gridded
values.
3. Load the gridded data to File 13.
4. Display the File 13 item, TOPOG, for verification.
Initializing the 2D Model File

To add topography to the model, we again use the project file editor (MineSight
Compass Project tab). Initialize the new File 13 by <selecting File I New from the
menu and picking File 13 from the dropdown. Fill in the desired items, along with their
respective minimum, maximum and precisions>. Initial values for the various items can
also be specified.

Adding Topography to the Model Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:
<Complete the initialization process by saving the file as msop13.dat>.
Grid Topography to File 13

Once you have initialized the surface model file, the topography can be gridded using
one of the features in the MineSight 3-D Model View Editor. <In the MineSight Data
Manager, create a new folder called SURFMODEL. In this folder, create a new Model
View called TOPOG, using the PCF msop10.dat and the model file msop13.dat. Open
the Properties dialog of this new Model View>.
Next, <open the triangulated topo surface that youve already created - tri901 is the
example used with the Mintec sample project. In the model view properties dialog, go to
the Geometry tab, click the Select button and choose the triangulated topo object from
the popup list. In the Grid Surface area, confirm that the item is set to TOPOG, and click
the Grid button. To confirm the coding, close the Geometry Object tri901>; youll now
have the gridded model surface displayed in the Viewer. You can also assign color
cutoffs to define the elevations of your surface.
Load the Topo Data to the Mine Model

The final step in the process is to assign a topo percent to every block in the mine
model. A block in the air would get 0% assigned and a block in the ground would get
100%. Surface blocks would get a value between 0% and 100%. This step is handled
easily using a MineSight Compass procedure, p63301.dat (Add Topo% to Model), found
in the Group 5a - 3D Modeling under the Operation Data Convert.
The procedure is a single panel procedure, requiring only the name of the respective
TOPO items from File 15 and File 13; there is also the option to specify the extensions
for the run and report files. <Enter the appropriate values in the fields and click the
right arrow to complete the transfer of the data into the 3D Block Model>. Well take a

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Adding Topography to the Model
look at the Model in MineSight 3-D in the next section of the course, where we visually
confirm the accuracy of the model coding. Notes:

Adding Topography to the Model Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Coding the Model
Coding the Model Notes:

Learning Objective
A. Assign model codes based on closed solids.
B. Code the model from multiple solids at the same time.
C. Verify the model results in the model view.
D. Set material priorities.
Description
In this exercise we are going to use solids 11Solid, 12Solid and 13Solid to code File
15 model item ROCKS. We have to take care in coding with these solids since 13solid
encloses the others. To make sure the model is coded correctly, we will code with one
solid at a time.
Before we begin coding, lets check that our solids have the correct material type.
Remember the material type controls the value given to the item we code.
Preparing the Data

<Open all three solids in folder 3-DRock. Double click on 11Solid to bring up the
Properties window. On the General tab, make sure the material type is 11. Similarly
make sure 12Solid has a material type of 12 and 13Solid has a material type of 13>.
Now that weve checked our solids, create a new model view called ROCKS. <Select
msop10.dat as the PCF, and msop15.dat as the model file. Change the Primary Display
item to ROCKS. Set the cutoffs to 11 to 13 with an increment of 1. Set the cutoff colors
to match your solids.>
Coding the Model From One Solid at a Time

<Go to the Geometry tab. Here we have to select the solid we want to code with. To
do this, click the Select button. Highlight 13Solid and click OK.> We want to do the
largest solid first, then successively code with the smaller solids so we dont overwrite
our coding each time.

Coding the Model Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:
Click on the Code Model button. We are going to code using the option Code Item
based on % solid in block. Choose ROCKS as the item to receive the code. We are
going to code a block if it is 50% inside the solid on a whole block basis. We are also
resetting the item before coding and checking the box to code the entire model. When
this is all set up, <click the Code button.>
When the coding is complete, go back to the Geometry tab and change the selected
Geometry Object to 12Solid. To do this, <select 12Solid just like you selected 13Solid
before. Click the Select button, highlight 12Solid and click OK.> The selected geometry
will change from 13Solid to 12Solid.
Next, back on the Code Model tab, <uncheck the Reset all chosen model items
before coding.> This way we will not erase the coding we just did. Only what is inside
12Solid will be changed. <Click Code.>
Finally, change the selected Geometry Object to 11Solid and code again. Now that we
have coded with all three solids, section through the model to check that it was coded
correctly.

Notes:
Setting Material Priorities

If the solids overlap slightly, adjustments can be made to the material priorities to
prefer to code one material over the other. For solids 11 and 12, priorities will be set to
prefer material 11 over 12 and 13.
<In folder materials, double click on material 11 to bring up its properties. On the
Material tab, click the button labeled Prioritize model codes.> All materials currently
known will be listed in the Coding priorities table. <Highlight material 11 and use the
arrows to bring it to the top of the list. Bring material 12 to the second position, and
material 13 to the third position.>

Notes:
Coding Two Solids at Once

Now that material priorities have been set, we can code from multiple solids, even if
they overlap slightly.
1. <Close 13solid in folder 3DRock and open 11solid and 12solid.
2. Bring up the Model View Properties of model view ROCKS.
3. On the Geometry tab, select folder 3DRock. All open objects in this folder will be
shown in the Selected Geometry Objects window.
4. On the Code Model tab, uncheck the box to Reset the model item before coding,
to retain those blocks which have been coded from 13solid and which are outside
11solid and 12solid.
5. To make sure that all blocks in 11solid or 12solid are coded, code if blocks are >
40% inside the solid.
6. Click Code.>
Verifying the Results

The volume controller can be used in this case to verify the results against the starting
data.

1. <Open 13solid, and leave 11solid and 12solid open.

Notes:
2. Leave model view ROCKS open, and set it to view a bench that all three solids
intersect.
3. Choose Edit Grid I Snap to Plane, and click on the model view.
4. Choose Edit Grid I Volume Controller. Set the volume width to 10 and the
volume clipping to equal. Then select Apply.
5. Verify that the coding is as desired. Close the volume controller when done.>
Coding Options
There are a few options that can be useful when coding. First is the block partial
percentage. This is set by default to 1%, meaning that if only 1% of the model block is
inside the solid, the block will be coded.
A related option is the resolution used to calculate these percentages. This is found
under File I Project Settings. On the Volumes tab, there is an option for subcell
count. The higher the subcell count the more accurate the percentages will be. However,
increasing the subcell count does increase the calculation time required to code the
model. The subcell count needs to be a multiple of the project size in each dimension
for the most accurate results.
There is also an option to reset the model item before coding. This option clears out
all previous coding of the selected model item. This does not effect any other model
items.
The part of the model that will be coded can also be specified. By default only the
portion of the model which is being displayed will be coded. If you want to code the
entire model, you must check the option to Code Entire Model. If you get an error that
you are running out of virtual memory when you try to code, it is a good idea to code
your model in pieces. This can happen when coding with large solids, coding with
several solids at a time, or coding very large models especially those with small blocks.
Coding Percent Items

Now we will look at how to code percent items in file 15. On the Code Model tab of
the Model View Editor, there are three options on what type of items we want to code.
These are code items, percent items, and both code and percent. We will be using the
code and percent option. All this means is that the model code from the material type of
the solid being used will be stored in our code item and the percentage of the model
block inside the solid will be stored in our percent item.
Getting Started
The solids we are going to use in this section are 3solid and 1solid from folder
3D-Alteration under folder Alteration. <Open these solids and close everything else.>
Normally we create a new model view for every item that we want to look at. Since
we will be coding several items in this section we will create a generic model view
called Coding instead. <Create this model view and choose msop10.dat as the PCF and
msop15.dat as the model file. Set the primary display item to ALTRA and set the cutoffs
from 1 to 5 with colors that match the solids under 3D-Alteration.
Go to the Geometry tab and select folder 3D-Alteration. 3solid and 1solid will be the
selected Geometry Objects. To do this, click on the Select button, choose folder
3D-Alteration and click OK.> Remember that the only way to select more than one

object at a time is to have all the objects in the same folder and select the folder.
Notes:
<Go to the Code Model tab. Change the coding type to Code and Percent items.>
This activates the Code Assigned By option. This time we will use Majority Block
Owner. Then we will look at how User Defined Order works later.
Majority Block Owner Order

Normally we create a new model view for every item that we want to look at. Since
we will be coding several items in this section we will create a generic model view
called Coding instead. <Create this model view and choose msop10.dat as the PCF and
msop15.dat as the model file. Set the primary display item to ALTRA and copy the
cutoffs from item ALTER. To do this click on the Cutoffs button. Then click Copy and
select item ALTER.
Go to the Geometry tab and select folder 3D-Alteration. 3solid and 1solid will be the
selected Geometry Objects. To do this, click on the Select button, choose folder
3D-Alteration and click OK.> Remember that the only way to select more than one
object at a time is to have all the objects in the same folder and select the folder.
<Go to the Code Model tab. Change the coding type to Code and Percent items.>
This activates the Code Assigned By option. This time we will use Majority Block
Owner. Then we will look at how User Defined Order works later.
We do want to reset items before coding and code the entire model. The last thing we
have to set up is the items to be coded. Notice that there are four zones available and
that each zone has its own code and percent item. We are going to use two zones. <For
zone one, set the code item to ALTRA and the percent item to PCTA. Check the option
to use zone two and set the code item to ALTRB and the percent item to PCTB. When
thats all set up, click Code.>
When the coding is complete, view the model to check it. We are looking at item
ALTRA which is the zone 1 code item. As you can see, this item is reflecting the code
of the Majority Block Owner.
Next, <change the Primary Display Item to PCTA and set up cutoffs from 0 to 100
with an increment of 10.>
You can see that this item, which is the zone 1 percent item, holds the percentages of
each block held by the Majority Block Owner reported in item ALTRA.
Now take a look at item ALTRB, which is our zone 2 code item. You can see that not
very many blocks have values for this item. This is because ALTRB is reporting the
secondary owner of each block and most blocks only intersect one solid, not two. Item
PCTB holds the corresponding percentages.
User-Defined Orders
When coding both code and percent items, we have a choice between coding on a
majority owner order or a user-defined order. A User-defined Order allows you to
decide priorities among the model codes.
Normalizing
Often when we code percent items we can end up with blocks having more than
100%. This can be caused by overlapping solids or rounding errors. There are several
ways to work around these problems when doing our coding. One is to proportionally
normalize the percentages. This lessens all of the percentages by equal amounts. To do
this, <change the Normalize option from None to Proportionally on the Code Model
tab.>

If you are using a User-Defined Order in your coding you can also normalize by
priority. This takes the excess percentage from the lowest priority material. Notes:
To do this, change the Normalize option to By Priority. Another option is to
normalize against an item. An example of this is normalizing against topo. If your topo
is 50% in a particular block, then the sum of the percentages for that block will be 50%.
The item you are normalizing against, must be another percent item. This is done by
specifying an item in the Normalize Against Item box on the Code Model tab.
The last normalization option is a normalization tolerance. This allows you to force
the sum of the percentages in a block to be 100%. This can be very useful if you have
small gaps between your solids. You specify the largest amount that can be added, up to
20%.

Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Model Interpolation
Model Interpolation Notes:

Prior to this section you calculated and sorted the composites. You initialized the
mine model and added any necessary geology. In this section you can use inverse
distance weighting to add grades to the mine model. This is required before displaying
the model, calculating reserves or creating pit designs.
Learning Objective
In this section you will learn:
The types of interpolations available
The use of controls on the interpolation
How to interpolate grades with MineSight
Types of Interpolations
There are several methods of interpolation provided to you.
Polygonal assignment
Inverse distance weighting
Relative elevations
Trend plane
Gradients
Kriging
Interpolation Controls
There is a large range of methods for controlling the interpolation available.
Search distance N-S, E-W, and by elevation
Minimum and maximum number of composites to use for a block
Maximum distance to the nearest composite
Use or omit geologic control
IDW Interpolation
On the MineSight CompassMenu tab and <select the Group 3D Deposit Modeling,
and the Operation Calculation; from the procedure list, select the procedure p62001 -
IDW Interpolation.> Fill out the panels as described.

Model Interpolation Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Panel 1 - M620V1/V2 IDW Search Parameters

Notes: This panel provides input for the composite files to use, the area to interpolate, and
optional filename extensions. For this example, use model 15, composite file 9, and
specify id1 as the filename extension for both the run and report files.

<Specify a 3-D search to use all composites within 210m horizontally and 50m
vertically of a block(based on variograms). Use an inverse distance power of 2, specify
the closest composite is within 100 meters, and allow a minimum of 3 composites and a
maximum of 16>.
Panel 3 - Interpolation Control Items

This panel lets you to specify the items and methods for interpolation. <Interpolate
the CU and MO composites using inverse distance weighting to the model items CUID
and MOID respectively. Also, interpolate the CU composites to the model item CUPLY
using polygonal assignment. Store the distance to the nearest composite in item DISTP,
and the maximum number of data in item NCMPI. Use the RESET option for this first
interpolation pass; for multiple passes, use the OMIT option>.
Panel 4 - Store Local Error

This panel provides options for the stroage of local interpolation error values. Leave
this panel blank for this example.
Panel 5 - Optional Search Parameters

Ellipsoidal Search and use of anistropic distances are optional. <Use an ellipsoidal
search of 210 by 120 by 120. Enter MEDS for the rotation angle specification and check
the box to Use anistropic distances?>.

This panel will only come up if you choose the anistropic distances option on the
previous panel. The angles for this example are ROT = 10, DIPN = 0 and DIPE = 0.
Panel 7 - Optional Geologic Codes

This panel provides options for up to three block limiting items and two code
matching items. Use only Rock Type 1 by specifying ROCKS as a block limiting item
and entering the value 13 as the corresponding integer code. Also use ROCKS as a code
matching item.

Since we have already limited the interpolation through block and code matching, we
can leave this panel blank.
Results
The results of the interpolation are saved to the model file 15; to view the results,
<create in MineSight 3-D a folder named models under (unnamed) and under the
models folder a model view named CUID.>
Exercise
Rerun for Rock Type 12. Change search distances and use option omit. Change the
following panels:

<Change the filename extensions for both the run and report files to id2>.


<Specify a 3-D search to use all composites within 240m (based on variograms) Notes:
horizontally and 50m vertically of a block>.

Use the OMIT option for this second interpolation pass.

<For this run, change the major, minor, and vertical search distances of 240, 180,
and 180 respectively>s.

The angles for this example are ROT = 45, DIPN = 0 and DIPE = 0.
Panel 7 - Optional Geologic Codes

Use only Rock Type 2 by specifying ROCK as a block limiting item and entering the
value 2 as the corresponding integer code.
Again, the results for the interpolation of Rock type 2 can be checked by creating a
Model View in MineSight 3-D.
Ordinary Kriging
Ordinary kriging is an estimator designed primarily for the local estimation of block
grades as a linear combination of the available data in or near the block, such that the
estimate is unbiased and has minimum variance. It is a method that is often associated
with the acronym B.L.U.E. for best linear unbiased estimator. Ordinary kriging is
linear because its estimates are weighted linear combinations of the available data,
unbiased since the sum of the weights is 1, and best because it aims at minimizing the
variance of errors.
The conventional estimation methods, such as inverse distance weighting method, are
also linear and theoretically unbiased. Therefore, the distinguishing feature of ordinary
kriging from the conventional linear estimation methods is its aim of minimizing the
error variance.
Kriging with MineSight

A variogram is needed before producing an interpolation using kriging. Three types
of variograms are allowed:
Spherical
Linear
Exponential
On the MineSight CompassMenu tab, <select the Group 3D Deposit Modeling, and
the Operation Calculation; from the procedure list, select procedure p62401.dat -
Ordinary Kriging>. Fill out the panels as described.

Panel 1 - M624V1: Kriging Search Parameters

Notes: This panel provides input for the model and composite files to use, the area to
interpolate, and optional filename extensions. For this example, use model file 15,
composite file 9, and specify kr1 as the filename extension for both the run and report
files.
Panel 2 - M624V1: Kriging Search Parameters

<Specify a 3-D search to use all composites within 210m horizontally and 50m
vertically of a block (based upon the variograms). Specify that the closest composite
must be within 100 meters, and allow a minimum of 3 composites and a maximum of
16>.

This panel allows you to specify the items and method for interpolation. Interpolate
the CU composites using kriging to the model item CUKRG. Use the RESET option for
this first interpolation pass; for multiple passes, use the OMIT option.
Panel 4 - Optional Input Parameters/Composite Type

Use this panel to specify the variogram parameter file (if used), and optional block
discretization parameters. Specify the storage of the kriging variance in item CUKVR.
Panel 5 - Variogram Parameters

This panel provides entry for the variogram parameters: model type, nugget, sill,
range, and direction of major axis. The variography has already been performed for us.
<Enter the following:
SPH (spherical) for model type
0.03 for nugget effect
0.14 for the sill
245 for the range along the major axis
185 for the range along the minor axis
35 for the range along the vertical axis
90 for the direction of major axis (azm)
-30 for the plunge
0 for the easterly dip>

Ellipsoidal Search and use of anisotropic distances are optional. For this run, <enter
major, minor, and vertical search distances of 210, 120, and 120, respectively. Enter
MEDS for the rotation angle specification and check the box to Use anisotropic
distances?>

This panel will only come up if you choose the anisotropic distances option on the
previous panel. The angles for this example are ROT = 10, DIPN = 0 and DIPE = 0.

Panel 8 - Optional Block Limiting and Geologic Matching

This panel provides options for up to three block limiting items and two code Notes:
matching items. Use only Rock Type 13 by specifying ROCKS as a block limiting item
and entering the value 13 as the corresponding integer code. Also use ROCKS and
ROCK as code matching items.

This panel allows you to define portions of the data to include or exclude from the
analysis based on item values.
The results of the interpolation are saved to the file 15 - you can check the results
visually by creating a Model View under the folder models called CUKRG..
Exercise
Repeat calculations for Rock Type 12. Change search distances and angles as you
did for IDW.

Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Geologic Model Display and Plotting
Geologic Model Display and Plotting Notes:

Learning Objectives
The main objective of this section is to explore the different options for displaying the
block model in MineSight 3-D. After completing this section you will know how to:
A. Create gradeshells of mineralized zone
B. Display models views in different display styles
C. Display a set of N-S sections of mineralized zone
D. How to plot plan maps of the mine model in MineSight
E. How to plot section maps of the mine model in MineSight
Gradeshells
A gradeshell is a solid representation of a code or real value retrieved directly from
the block model. It is intended to give an indication of where the blocks with certain
geologic code or grade values are located in your model. Gradeshells can be created for
a grade item between a minimum and maximum value and can be further limited by a
secondary item, for example, a topo%, or geology code. A gradeshell is created
primarily for visualization purposes and not for volume or reserves calculations.
To create a gradeshell, do the following:
1. <Create a new folder called GRADESHELLS under (unnamed).
2. Highlight GRADESHELLS, click right and select New I Model View. Call this
model view GALTRA.
3. From the Item Selection icon select ALTRA as the primary display item. Then
change the 3-D display type to Gradeshell.
4. Next go to the Gradeshell tab and select ZONE as the Gradeshell primary item.
Toggle on the item is an integer/code value option and enter the minimum and
maximum values of >=1.000 and <2.000.
5. Before we begin to compute the gradeshell, make sure you have the entire range
of levels, rows, and columns exposed under the Range tab. Click Apply.
6. Open the Geometry Object 1SOLID under alteration\3D alteration, and compare
it with the gradeshell you just created>.

Geologic Model Display and Plotting Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:
If you close the Model View, the gradeshell will not be saved. If you wish to save
the gradeshell permanently, click the Save gradeshell button under the Gradeshell
tab, and select or enter the name for the Geometry Object where you want to store
the resulting gradeshell.
7. <Click Save Gradeshell and highlight the folder GRADESHELLS. Enter gshell
of ALTRA1 for the name of the Geometry Object to store the gradeshell. Click
OK. Click OK on the MineSight Model View Editor> to close the window.
A gradeshell can also be limited in levels, rows, and columns if it is desired. All
you need to do is adjust the volume controllers under the Range tab of the
MineSight Model View Editor.
Other Model Display Styles

MineSight allows you to display the block model in more than one style. The
available 3-D display styles are: Surface/ Slab, Filled Polygons, Contours, Smooth
Contours, and 3-D blocks.
1. <Open the model view called CUID under the MODELS folder. Activate its
properties by double clicking on the object called CUID.
2. Go to the Range tab and adjust the range of levels by moving the left and right
controllers. Show level 28, rows 29 to 86, and columns 56 to 119. Click on
APPLY>.
Note: any changes you make to the range of visible data can automatically be
updated in the viewer as you make them by having the immediate viewer refresh
option toggled on.

3. <Under the Display tab, change the 3-D display style to 3-D block. Click Apply.
Answer Yes to the notice window>. Notes:
4. You can change the percent of the block that is displayed in the viewer by going
to the Option tab and adjusting the x, y, and/or z Block size (percent).
Note: This option does not change the actual block size of your model. It only
allows you to limit the percent of the actual block that is displayed in the viewer.
5. Block values can also be displayed when you are displaying the model in 2-D
mode. This function is available under the Options tab as well. <Attach the gridset
benches to the viewer,set the viewer to 2-D mode and set the current plane at
2555.
On the Range tab, adjust the 2-D display limits to show all levels and rows and
columns to show the interpolated area.
6. Go back to the Options tab and click the Item selection icon to select ALTRA as
the item whose text or values we want to display. Then change the number of
decimals to zero.
7. Change the model properties by going back to the Display tab and clicking the
Model properties button. Once the Object Properties window appears, change
the label color (paint palette icon) to black, and size to 2. Press the Tab key after
entering the label size. Zoom into the viewer to verify the values for the item
ALTRA.>
Note: you can display up to three text items, and have full control over the
placement of the labels using the Horizontal and Vertical Offset fields.
<Click on the 3-D icon to automatically change the viewer to 3-D mode>.
8. <Go back to the Display tab and change the display style to Contours. Then
change it to Filled polygons. Experiment with the rest of the styles and see the
difference. Close the model view when you are finished>.
Displaying Mineralized Zone in N-S Sections

A block model item can be simultaneously displayed in different orientations: E-W
(East-West) sections, N-S (North-South) sections, horizontal planes, and oblique
sections. In the next exercise, you will learn how to display the mineralization zone in
N-S sections, along with the horizontal planes. The steps are as follows:
1. <In the MODELS folder, create a new model view called NS-CUID.
2. Change the Primary display item to CUID.
3. Under the Range tab, set the 3-D display limits to all levels, all rows, and column

48; then click Apply. If you want to display the project limits, go to the File menu
Notes: and select Project Settings. Then go to the Properties tab and toggle on the Show
Axes option.
4. Open the model view called CUID, and change the 3-D display style to Contours.
Adjust the range of rows and columns to display an entire level.
5. Step through the N-S sections by using the left and right arrows to the right of the
columns range control bar>. Alternatively, we can create an N-S grid set to display
the model in section with N-S orientation. <Close the two model views displayed
on the viewer.
6. Create a Grid Set called N-S sections under the GRIDS folder. Choose the N-S
plane orientation. Enter 40 for the number of planes and 75 for the plane interval.
7. Activate the Viewer Properties window and install the new N-S sections Grid Set.
Set the current plane to East 2950 and click the 2D mode button. Click Apply and
then OK.
8. Close the N-S sections Grid Set.
9. Open the NS-CUID model view. Step through the sections by using the left/right
arrows in the upper-right corner of the main MineSight window, where the current
plane is displayed. You can use the 2-D/3-D icons in the second icons row to
conveniently change the display mode from 2-D to 3-D or vice versa>.
Plot a Plan Map of the Model in MineSight 3-D

We will begin by plotting a plan map of the mine model in MineSight 3-D. In this
exercise we will make use of several concepts studied in previous sections. We will
show you how to make a plan map of the block model that includes block values for
three items: CUIDW, ROCKS, and ALTRA values. We will also incorporate the
exploration drillholes and geology outlines to the plan map.
1. <Open the model view CUID under the models folder. Use min=0, max=2,
increment=0.2 for the intervals. Use the complete range of colors.
2. Set the viewer in 2-D mode using the benches gridset and change the current
plane to 2555.

3. On the MineSight Model View Editor for CUID, click the Options tab. Toggle on
the three boxes to the left of the item labels. Select CUID as your first item, ROCKS Notes:
as the second item, and ALTRA as the third item. Enter 2 decimals for CUID, 0
for ROCKS, and 0 for ALTRA. Click APPLY.
4. Next, go to the Display tab and click the Model Properties button. An Object
Properties window should pop up in the viewer. Click the Labels tab. Change the
label color to black, and the size to 2. Press the Tab key after entering the label
size>.
You will now see the actual block values for the items CUID, ROCKS, and
ALTRA.
The blocks are color-filled based on the Primary display item. In this case, they
are based on the colors specified for CUID. You can easily change the Primary
display item in the MineSight Model View Editor to see the color-coded blocks
based on the item of your particular interest. The order and position in which the
block values are displayed can also be altered to meet your requirements. Again,
this is done under the Options tab of the Model View Editor.
5. Now make those blocks that have a CUID<0.2 invisible. <Under the Options tab,
check Limit by and select the item CUID; enter 0.2 as the minimum value and 2
as the maximum value.
6. Go back to the Data Manager and open the Geometry Object called 11solid
(under folder rock\3D rock) and the composites drillhole view.
7. To see the block outlines, go to the Display tab and change the Display in sectional
views style to Filled Polygons. Click Apply and close the Model View Editor
window.

8. From the Data Manager, go to the PLOTS folder and open up the plot layout
Notes: called SET1.
9. Click the Print button and select Preview. Select the plan on elevation 2555 and
click OK>. Remember that you can always modify the cutoff colors, label size,
plot scale, and so on, thus allowing you to tailor the plots to meet your particular
requirements. When the plot is ready, you have the option to send it directly to
the printer/plotter, or create deferred plots in HPGL, HPGL2, or PostScript
languages.
10. <Close the Plot Layout window. Save your work by going to the File menu (main
MineSight window) and selecting Save.>
Plot a Section Map of the Mine Model in MineSight

In this exercise, we will learn how to add the same model block information to a
sectional plot. Along with the block values, we will also be adding topography and
geology outlines. The section we are going to concentrate on is the EW section on
10700N. Follow these steps:
1. <Close everything you have visible in the viewer.
2. Activate the Viewer Properties window and install the Grid Set called E-W Sections.
Click the 2-D mode button and set the current plane to North 5200.
3. Open the model view CUID, the Geometry Objects Tri901 inside the TOPO folder,

and all the objects inside the rock\3D Rock folder.> See the following pictures for
similar results: Notes:

Notes:
4. <Open the plot layout called SET1. Click the Print button and select Preview. Click OK>.
MineSight will automatically display the current section in your viewer.

Notes:
You can change the text in the Title block to indicate what you are really plotting, or
create a new one specifically for this plot.

Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Model Statistics/Reserves
Model Statistics/Reserves Notes:

Prior to this section, you must have added the grades, topography, and necessary
geology into the mine model. In this section, you can summarize the mine model data
with frequency distributions. This is not required for later work.
Learning Objective
A. How to calculate tonnages above a cutoff with program M608V1
B. How to produce a histogram, and
C. How to create a more detailed reserve report with program MTRES
To calculate initial reserves from the block model, use MineSight program M608V1;
the procedure for running this program is found on the Menu tab of the MineSight
Compass dialog within the Group Statistics, under the Operation Calculation.
The reserves calculated in this section are the tons and grade above a cutoff. The
topographic values you added to the mine model are used to give you an accurate
reserve report. For different specific gravities, use the run file that is created and run
each rock type separately.
The menu system procedure has been designed to give you the quickest level of
reserves. With the run files, you can customize the run to give reserves by bench, rock
type or any other subset you want. For example, in the menu system, 20 intervals are
selected (for plotting purposes). The interval size you choose will be based on the cutoff
grades you wish to show. If you choose 0.1, for example, you will get a report for
blocks above 0.0, above 0.1, above 0.2, etc., up to 1.9. If you prefer a special cutoff
value (such as 0.13), then select 0.13 as your interval size. You will still get 20 intervals
of 0.13 difference (just ignore the rest). You can also edit the run file to change the
number of intervals.
Panel 1 - 3-D Model Data Statistical Analysis

This panel is used to specify the file on which you wish to calculate reserves; for this
example, <select File 15 (3D Block Model).>

This panel is used to specify the item(s) to be used for the analysis; well examine the
items CUID and MOLY. In order to increase the accuracy of the calculation, we also
want to <weight the blocks by the TOPO percent, using a weighting factor of 0.01.>

This panel allows us to define the characteristics of the data set being analyzed. For
this example, well start the histogram at zero, using a 0.1 frequency class interval size.
<Set the minimum value for the base item equal to 0.01 to eliminate zero-value blocks
from the analysis.> Note that a report file extension is required as well.
Panel 4 - Optional Data Selection for Model Statistics

This panel allows you to limit the data used for analysis, based on the values of other
items in the model. In addition, youre able to enter a multiplier for calculating tonnage
by cutoff. <Enter 24 as the multiplier for resource calculation.> This is the
Kilotonnage/block for our project.

Model Statistics/Reserves Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.

Notes: This panel allows you to specify the area of the model to be used for analysis; in this
example, well examine the entire model, so leave the fields in this panel blank.
Panel 6 - Histogram Plot Attributes

This final panel in the procedure is used to specify visual aspects of the resulting
histogram plot. You can adjust these entries as desired.
Statistical Summary from Report RPT608.001

A statistical summary and histogram can be found in the report file. Resources are
reported by cutoff, then by bench elevation.

Notes:
MPLOT Panel
<Select the option Preview/Create Metafile to view the plot on the screen.>

PITRES.DAT
Notes:
To create a more detailed reserves report, we will make use of procedure
PITRES.DAT. PITRES.DAT is used to determine the reserves of open pit metals
projects. These reserves can be generated from a Pit Optimization or other pit design,
from polygons properly stored in a VBM, from external partials files (e.g., from IGP or
MineSight, or from rectangular boundaries specified on the Panel requesting the easting,
northing, and elevation boundaries. In this exercise, we will use a block partials file
generated in MineSight from the solid representing the mineralization zone in our
project. This partials file contains information about the percentage of each block that is
intersecting the solid. This information creates a more accurate reserves calculation,
since only the percent of the block inside the solid is applied to the final calculation and
not the entire block.
1. < In MineSight 3-D, open the CUID model view and the Geometry Object called
11solid under folder rock\3D rock. Make sure your viewer is in 3-D mode.
2. Go to the Surface menu (main MineSight window) and select Generate Partials.
3. Click the icon with the blue ribbon in the Generate Partials window, and select
the solid from the viewer (single left click on the solid).
4. Go to Options and click the Model View icon. Select CUID from the file browser
and click OK.
5. Make sure the partials filename is mspart.out in the Generate Partials window.
Click Apply. Verify that this file exists in your directory.
6. Minimize the MineSight 3-D window and go back to the MineSight Compass
dialog. On the Menu tab, select the Group 7 - Pit Optimization and the Operation
Report. Open the procedure pitres.dat (Report 3DBM Reserves).>
The following descriptions provide the information to input in the panels:
Panel 1 - Determine Reserves from Pit Optimization or Pit Design/Polygons

This informational panel can be left blank for this run.

In this panel, we specify the source of the data used for the reserves calculation. For
this example, well use the existing partials file MSPART.OUT (created in the previous
step). Be sure to indicate that this file was created in MineSight 3-D.Well also want to
specify names for the report and summary files, as well as specify a title for the report.

This panel allows us to specify the type of ZONE handling for this reserves report,
and also to specify the items to report. We will report reserves for both CUID and
MOLY in this run. As we will not break down the report by zone lets <enter N/A for
zone item and ore% item.>

This panel is used to define the reporting cutoffs for the base item of the report - in
this case, CUIDW. <Specify cutoffs of 0.2, 0.6, and 1.0% CU.> Also, use this panel to
<specify the waste/ore cutoff for this item (0.2%).>

This panel is used to specify default density values for waste and ore, along with a

number of options for reporting waste. <Enter a value of 2.56 for waste and ore density,
and leave the remainder of the panel blank.> Notes:
This last panel allows you to specify the way that the topo percent is used in the
reserves calculation. In the case of partials from MineSight the TOPO item can be
ignored, as the use of the solid in MineSight 3-D has already accounted for the partial
blocks. Also <use a reporting factor of .001>, so the reserves will be reported in
kilotons.
You will see the reserves report file displayed on the screen. Scroll down the report to
examine the details of it.
The reserves are reported on a bench by bench basis, by zones, and by grade cutoffs.
At the end of the report, you will see a summary table with total volume and reserves by
bench, and bench average grades for our two grade items: CUID and MOLY.
By comparing the results from the M608V1 and PITRES runs, you will see a minor
difference in the total reserves calculated. This is due to the fact that M608V1 takes into
account the whole block for the reserves computation, whereas PITRES considers only
the percent of the block that is inside the solid and applies this factor to the calculation.
An optional weighting item in the block model like ORE% can be used in the M608V1
run, so that similar reserves are obtained, both with M608V1 and PITRES.DAT.
Many of the procedure panels in MineSight Compass have individual help files that
provide a more detailed description about the different options in the panels. This help
is found in the interactive html help documentation.
In addition, many procedures contain popup help throughout the various panels. To
access this help, simply click on the red text in a panel, and detailed help regarding that
particular function or parameter will appear.

Notes:

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Model Calculations
Model Calculations Notes:

In this section you will calculate block values for items EQCU and CONF, and store
them in the model.
Learning Objective
In this section you will learn:
How to perform calculations using information stored in the model
Model Calculations
Model Calculations allow you to calculate values for an item based on the values of
other items in the same block. The program used in this example, (M612RP) allows you
a great deal of flexibility, with up to 30 calculations possible per run. <In the MineSight
Compass dialog, click the Menu tab, and select the Group 5a - 3D Modeling and the
Operation Calculation. From the procedure list, choose the procedure p61201 [User-
Calcs - (Model)].>
Panel 1 - Mine Model/Surface File Data Items to be Used

This panel is used to specify which model is to be used and the number of levels,
rows, and columns (use defaults to specify the entire model).
Panel 2 - All Mine Model/Surface File Data Items to be Used

In this panel, we specify the model items which will be either used as source or
calculated values to store. For blocks with ROCKS value between 11 and 13, we will
calculate EQCU values from values stored for CUID and MOLY, so we need to specify
these four items.
Panel 3 - Optional Data Selection for M612RP Calculations

To restrict the EQCU calculations to blocks with ROCKS value between 11 and 13
only, well Range on ROCKS values 11 to 13.
Panel 4 - Define Special Project Calculations for M612RP

In this panel the EQCU calculation is defined and the item in the model (EQCU)
where the result is to be stored is specified. For our project, EQCU will be calculated as
a grade where the MOLY values are converted to their equivalency in terms of copper
from a revenue-generating point of view (EQCU = CUIDW + MOLY * 8). Note that
additional calculations (up to 30 total) are available by checking the box at the bottom
of the panel.
Panel 5 - Optional Storage of Items Back into Model File

This panel is used to specify the items which are to receive the results of the
calculations.
Exercise
Model item CONF will be used to store a numeric code to categorize a block as
proven ore (CONF=1), probable ore (CONF=2), possible ore (CONF=3) or waste
(CONF=4). The block-by-block categorization will be based on the distance to the
closest composite (DIST) and the block value of ROCKS.

Model Calculations Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
1. Assign:
Notes:
CONF=1 to blocks with ROCKS between 11 and 13, and DIST between 0 and 50
CONF=4 to blocks with ROCKS less than 11
2. Spot check the calculations with one of your Model Views in MineSight 3-D.

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Miscellaneous Modeling Topics
Miscellaneous Modeling Topics Notes:

Adding items to File 15
Items cannot be added to existing MineSight model files. If more items are needed, a
new model file must be created and the data must be transferred into the new file.
Create New File with Extra Items

In the MineSight compass dialog, <go to the Project tab and open the project file
editor. Choose File I New and select file type 15 - 3D Block Model. Under the Edit
menu, choose Import items I From existing file, and choose the current File 15
(metr15.dat)>. This will set up the item definition dialog with the existing items and
their respective minimum, maximum and precision values. <Add the following items to
the item definition dialog:
ITEM Minimum Maximum Precision
Oro 0 10 .01
Plata 0 30 .01
Value -500 5000 1
To initialize the new file, save it as metr15.new;> the next step is to transfer the data
from the existing model to the new model file. To check that the desired items have
been added to the new model file, <choose File I Open from the project file editor
menu. Select the new model file from the dropdown, and verify the addition of the new
items.
Transfer Data from the Old Model to the New Model

In the MineSight Compass dialog, <click on the menu tab, select the Group Project
Support and the Operation Data Convert. From the procedure list, choose the
procedure Transfer data between MineSight files (p11001.dat).>
Panel 1 Transfer Data

In this panel, <enter the file type to be used, the names of the source and destination
files, and optionally, select a debug run or specify your own runfile and report file
extensions.>
Panel 2 Transfer Data Between Files

This panel is used to specify the particular items which you wish to transfer from the
source to the destination file. Note that if the item names are identical, it is only
necessary to specify the source items.
Part #:E004 Rev. B Page 28-1

Miscellaneous Modeling Topics Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Panel 3 Transfer Data

Notes: This panel is used to further refine the transfer of data when using MineSight model
files such as 3-D block models or 2-D surface models. Leave this panel blank for this
exercise.
Exercise
To check the results of the data transfer, run statistics on item CUIDW for both
models. The results should be the same.

Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc. Creating VBM Features from Solids
Creating VBM Features from Solids Notes:

Learning Objective
A. Slice solids to create VBM features in any orientation
B. Edit the resulting VBM features
C. View the features, plane by plane
Preparation
<Open objects 3solid, 4solid, and 5solid in folder 3D-Alteration. Unload anything
else in the Viewer. In the Properties window of each solid, verify that each has an
appropriate material and associated VBM code. Set materials 3, 4, and 5 to have
different default colors.
Create a folder called Plan-Alteration within folder Alteration.>
Slicing the Solids

<Highlight the folder Plan-Alteration, click right and select Slice View. From the
File Selector, choose the Grid Set Benches. Click OK. When the slicing has completed
close all the solids.>
Viewing the Data

You can see that one new Geometry Object was created in folder Plan-Alteration for
each material type.
<Change the Azimuth to 0 and the Dip to -90. Click the Viewer Properties icon.
Attach Grid Set Benches and go to 2-D mode. Then step though the levels and view the
VBM features on each level.>
Note: the VBM features will need editing before they can be linked, or used to code
the model.
Contour Surface
There is another way to slice solids and surfaces without using a Grid Set. This is the
Contour Surface operation. This is very quick and easy, but it is done one solid (or
surface) at a time.
<Close everything that is open, change to 3-D mode and open object 4solid in folder
3D-Alteration.
In folder Plan-alteration create a new Geometry Object called 4Contour. Assign it

material 4. Put 4Contour into active Edit mode. Now click Polyline I Contour
Surface.> The Contour Surface window will appear. All that is required is a start and
end elevation and an increment. There is also a smoothing option that works very well.
We want to slice from 2000 to 2960 with an increment of 15m. When that is set up,
<click on the blue surface icon in the Contour Surface window. Then click 4solid in the
viewer. Select Apply.> The contouring will proceed as soon as you click on the solid.
The only disadvantage of Contour Surface is that it only contours horizontally.

<Close all open objects when you have finished.>

Creating VBM Features from Solids Proprietary Information of Mintec, inc.
Notes:

E004 Rev B PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

E004 Rev B PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MineSight®

All rights reserved. No part of this document shall be

All terms mentioned in this document that are known to

MineSight® is a registered trademark of MINTEC, inc.

acQuire® is a registered trademark of Metech Pty Ltd

MineSight for Geologists

Using This MineSight Workbook......... ..........................Intro-1

Project Initialization Using MineSight Compass................2-1

Initializing Project Files in MineSight Compass.................3-1

Initializing a MineSight 3-D Project......................................4-1

DXF Data Import and Display...............................................5-1

VBM Data Import and Display..............................................6-1

Exporting to MineSight VBM - File 25..................................7-1

Grid Sets..... ...........................................................................8-1

CAD Editing and Material Types.......................................... 9-1

Importing and Loading Drillhole Data into MineSight.......10-1

Drillhole Data - Reports and Statistics...............................12-1

Drillhole Display in MineSight 3-D......................................13-1

acQuire Drillhole Views.......................................................14-1

Geologic Interpretation and Modeling................................16-1

The Linker Tool.....................................................................17-1

Creating Surfaces and Solids.............................................18-1

The Extrude Tool..................................................................20-1

Initializing the Model............................................................21-1

Adding Topography to the Model........................................22-1

Part #: E004 Rev. B Page TOC-1

Coding the Model..................................................................23-1

Geologic Model Display and Plotting..................................25-1

Model Statistics and Reserves.............................................26-1

Miscellaneous Modeling Topics...........................................28-1

Creating VBM Features from Solids.....................................29-1

Page TOC-2 Part #: E004 Rev. B

Using this Mintec Workbook Notes:

Introduction to the Course

What You Need to Know

Using the Mouse

Click -press and release the left mouse button

Double-click - click the left mouse button twice in rapid succession

Right-click - press and release the right mouse button

Point - position the mouse pointer on the indicated item

Part #: E004 Rev. B Page Intro-1

Terms and Conventions

hard copy of a file; or , the Query icon, is clicked on to determine which

 the project coordinate units (metric or imperial)

 the project type (3-D, GSM, BHS, SRV).

Page Intro-2 Part #: E004 Rev. B

MineSight Overview Notes:

When you have completed this section, you will know:

A. The basic structure and organization of MineSight.

B. The capabilities of each MineSight module.

C. Ways to run MineSight programs.

MineSight is a comprehensive software package for the mining industry containing

Digitized Data Operations

Drillhole Data Operations

Within MineSight, deposits can be represented by a computer model of one of two

Part#: E004 Rev B Page 1-1

Economic Pit Limits & Pit Optimization

Page 1-2 Part#: E004 Rev. B

Ways to Run MineSight Programs

Basic Flow of MineSight

Part#: E004 Rev B Page 1-3

Flow of Tasks Initialize

Creat Pit Optimization Model

the project coordinate units (metric or imperial)

the project type (3-D, GSM, BHS, SRV).

the project coordinate units (metric or imperial)

initialize Project Files

initialize an assay file (File 11)

initialize a survey file (File 12)