Carlson User Training Conference 2009

Carlson Geology: Block Modeling

Grant Wenker, PE Mining Sales and Support gwenker@carlsonsw.com April 07, 3:15 5:00 p.m. This class takes a set of drillholes and goes through the steps that create the block model. The different grades are defined in the Grade Parameter File. Blocks are drawn and viewed in 3D for analysis. Cross sections are cut and volumes by grade are calculated with reserves. The Optimized Pit Design is found with the Lerch-Grossman algorithm.

Grant Wenker joined Carlson Software in March, 1998. Grant has a M.S. from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and a B.S. from the University of North Dakota. He is a registered mining engineer. Prior to joining Carlson Software, Grant worked on abandoned mine reclamation in the Black Hills of SD, in seismic exploration for hydrocarbons on the North Slope of Alaska, and as a consulting engineer at various PRB mines in Wyoming.

Carlson Geology: Block Modeling

Drawing with Drillholes The first step is to import the drillholes and name the beds based on how the seams are to be modeled. This example is a limestone bed with a thin layer of overburden, so there are just two main stone types in the drilling, OB and LS are the bed names.

Drillholes in the Drawing Make Block Model This command is used to create the block model. The first selection is to choose the Bed Name to model, and then the quality or qualities.

Make Block Model The next window sets the block size and modeling method. There are two distinct methods for the blocks. They can be set to a fixed elevation and size, or can follow the top and bottom of the ore model from the drillholes. This creates almost a stratified block model where the elevations of the block follow the top or bottom of the ore elevations. Both methods work the same. If using the Elevations method, then the top and bottom of the model are entered, with the number of samples chosen to set the block height. This example will use Inverse Distance as the modeling method with a vertical factor of 1. Selecting OK builds all of the blocks and puts them in the BLK file.

Block Model Sizing Define Grade Parameter File This command defines the grade ranges of the ore. This is what defines the blocks for colors and position for cross sections and volumes. There is a Draw Legend button to put it on the map. The price per pound is also defined here for the cost model.

Define the Grade Parameters Block Model Viewer Now that the block model is built and the grade ranges are defined, the model can be inspected and viewed in 3D to make sure it is all correct. If the model is large, it is best to use an inclusion polyline to view just a subset of the entire model. In the Advanced Tab, there is a way to turn the blocks on and off like layers. Just click on the line to turn on or off and the blocks are removed or added from the screen. This allows 3D view to see what the quality is inside the middle of the blocks.

Full Block Model vs/ Partial Grades in View Draw Block Model This command will draw the blocks on screen in CAD as permanent nodes or dots. These nodes can then be brought into the 3D Viewer window and rendered the same as the Block Model 3D Viewer does. This option allows to have a top and bottom limiting surface to crop the blocks.

Draw Block Model

Block nodes in the drawing Define PreCalculated Grids This step is necessary to combine the block model with the surface topo and any top or bottom elevation grids that will make up the entire model. The procedure is to just add the elevation grids as normal, and then add the BLK block model file to the appropriate interval. Flat elevation grids can be used for this, if it isnt a stratified model that has roofs and floors, like many hard rock mines and quarries that arent.

PreCalc File with the Block Model attached Fence Diagram Now that the entire model is put together, the Fence Diagram can be drawn to see the blocks in section view. It has an option to Hatch by Block Model. This can be drawn in two ways. The initial section shows it on a 2D Grid, the second one can be seen in 3D where it draws and hatches the fence in 3D below the line.

Cross Section Fence Hatched by Block Model

3D Fence Diagrams and Drillholes

Surface Mine Reserves The last step is to get the volume and tons of the different grades with the Surface Mine Reserves. There is one check box to turn on that is Breakout Quantities by Attributes. This will not only give total tons of the granite, but also the tons in the various grades.

Breakout Quantites by Attributes Option Shown here is the report of the data dumped into Excel. Notice how the total Key tons match the individual grade tons added up in the yellow cell. This is a good check to make sure all grades are accounted for in the report.

Excel Report confirming the tons Prepare Value Block Model This command initially needs the parameters defined. Enter Economic Parameters brings up the next dialog where costing is entered.

Grade Parameters

Economic Parameters This writes the value block model, where each block now has a value assigned to it whether it is profitable or not. This file is named Value Block Model.BLK. Optimized Pit Design Now that the Value Block Model is written, the Optimized Pit Design is run to create the ultimate pit and create the ultimate pit block model. The Value Block Model is now the file to process. This creates an ultimate pit grid, block model and a report. The block model is just for calculation purposes and contains cost values.

Ultimate Pit Options

Ultimate Pit Grid in 3D The final report shows that most of the blocks are mineable. The lowest level, 5 is not mineable. The blocks that are not profitable are what is left in the above images. It is easy to make changes in the input parameters and run it again. The cost to mine or process the ore can be modified and the new cost model created to see how it affects the output.

Ultimate Pit Report