Pit Design

Copyright 2011 Gemcom Software International Inc.
(Gemcom)
All rights reserved. Gemcom publishes this documentation for the sole use of Gemcom licensees.
Without written permission, you may not sell, reproduce, store in a retrieval system, or transmit
any part of this documentation. For such permission, or to obtain extra copies please contact your
local Gemcom office, or visit www.gemcomsoftware.com.
This software and documentation is proprietary to Gemcom and, except where expressly provided
otherwise, does not form part of any contract. Changes may be made in products or services at
any time without notice.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, neither the authors nor
Gemcom assumes responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither will be held liable for any damages
caused or alleged to be caused from the use of the information contained herein.
Gemcom Software International Inc., Gemcom, the Gemcom logo, combinations thereof, and
GEMS, Surpac, Minex, Whittle, Gemcom InSite, Gemcom Hub, and PCBC are trademarks of
Gemcom Software International Inc. or its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Product
Surpac 6.2
Table of Contents
Introduction
Requirements
Objectives
Workflow
Setup for This Tutorial

Setting the Work Directory
6
6
Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows XP)
Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows Vista and Windows 7)
Displaying the Toolbar and Menubar

Task: Display the minedesign Toolbar and Menubar
A Simple Example
Creating a Simple Pit Design
Task: Create a Simple Pit Design
Data Preparation
Geological Outlines
Task: View Geological Outlines
Viewing Whittle Outlines
8
8
9
9
9
25
25
25
26
Task: View Whittle Outlines from the Whittle String File Interface
26
Task: View Whittle Outlines from the Surpac Block Model
28
Basic Pit Design Tools
37
Task: Load the Constrained Block Model
37
Task: Define the Starting String
41
Task: Define Slopes and Berm Widths
42
Task: Define Ramps
45
Task: Create Crests and Toes
46
Task: Edit the Design
52
Additional Pit Design Tools
60
Task: Restart a Pit Design
60
Task: Design a Switchback
61
Creating a DTM of a Pit Design
72
Task: Clean Pit Design Strings
72
Task: Create a DTM of a Pit Design
74
Intersect Pit Design with Surface Topography
77
Task: Intersect Pit Design and Topography
77
Grade and Tonnage Calculations
81
Task: Create a Block Model Constraint of Material in a Pit
81
Task: Calculate Grade and Tonnage of Material in Pit
83
Waste Dump Design
87
Task: Design a Waste Dump
87
Task: Calculate Dump Volume
97
Introduction
Introduction
This tutorial demonstrates how to create pit and dump designs using Surpac.
Requirements
Prior to proceeding with this tutorial, you will need:
l
l
l
Surpac v6.2 or later installed.

The data set accompanying this tutorial.
a good understanding of basic Surpac concepts presented in the Introduction Tutorial.
Objectives
The objective of this tutorial is to allow you to create a pit design.
Workflow
The process described in this tutorial is outlined below:
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
Using string tools to create a simple pit design

Preparing data for use in basic pit design
Using pit design tools to create ramps, crests, toes, and berms
Creating switchbacks
Extending a pit design to a DTM surface
Calculating Grade and Tonnage of block model blocks within a pit design
Designing a waste dump
This workflow demonstrates the steps in this tutorial. There are other ways to achieve a result.
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Setting the Work Directory
1. In the Navigator, right-click the pit_design folder.
2. From the popup menu, select Set as work directory.
The name of the work directory is displayed in the title bar of the Surpac window.
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1. In the Navigator, right-click the pit_design folder.
2. From the popup menu, select Set as work directory.
The name of the work directory is displayed in the title bar of the Surpac window.
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Displaying the Toolbar and Menubar

1. Right-click in the blank area next to the menus at the top of the Surpac main window.
2. From the popup menu choose Profiles > minedesign.
For more information on setting up profiles and customising menus and toolbars, see the
Introduction to Surpac tutorial.
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A Simple Example
A Simple Example
Creating a Simple Pit Design
In this example you will design a pit base around an ore zone at an elevation of 150, and then extend
it up to an elevation of 250 at a 45 degree pit wall angle.

1. Click Reset graphics .
2. Open ore150.str in Graphics.
You will see a horizontal slice of ore zones at an elevation of 150.
3. Choose Create > Digitise > Properties.
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A Simple Example
4. Enter the information as shown, and then click Apply.
5. Choose Create > Digitise > New point at mouse location.

6. Click in Graphics to create points 1, 2, and 3 as shown.
Note: Do not press ESC. You have not finished creating the string.
Note: Numbers 1, 2 and 3 will not be displayed in the graphics. They are shown on the
images so you know the order in which to create the points.
7. Choose Create > Digitise > New point by selection.
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A Simple Example
8. Click three points at the northern end of the segment as shown, to create points 4, 5, and
6.
9. Choose Create > Digitise > By following a segment.

10. Click and hold down the left mouse button at point 7, then drag to point 8 and release.
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A Simple Example
11. Click and hold down the left mouse button at point 9, then drag to point 10 and release.
12. Choose Create > Digitise > Close current segment.
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A Simple Example
The closed segment is displayed.
Note: When you create closed segments in the XY plane (plan view), you will usually
create them in a clockwise direction. Clockwise segments are regarded as an area of
inclusion, and give expected results when you intersect them with other clockwise
segments.
13. Choose File > Save > string/DTM.
15. Click the Reset graphics icon
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A Simple Example
16. Drag and drop pit150.str into graphics.

17. Choose Display > Point > Numbers.
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A Simple Example
The numbered points on the segment are displayed.
Next, you will delete some points to make the outline more convex.
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A Simple Example
19. Set the selection mode to Select Point/Triangle.
20. Hold the CTRL key down and click several points as shown.
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A Simple Example
21. Right-click to display a menu, and then select Delete.
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A Simple Example
The renumbered segment is displayed.
Around points 8, 19, 32, and 34 some duplicate points remain. Next you will delete these.
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A Simple Example
22. For each of the points 8, 18, 13, and 32 zoom in to each point, select the point, right-click
and choose Delete.
There is no need to delete point 34, but if you do not delete point 13 a 'switchback' will be
formed later in this activity. A switchback is where the outline of the pit crosses over itself.
Next, you will set the slope wall angle to 45 degrees.
23. From the Status Bar at the bottom of the Surpac window, click Design grade
.
Design grade displays the current design gradient

. Next, you will set the
string number for the the next pit outline, in this case, the top of the pit.
Note: This step is optional.
25. Choose Display > Hide point > Attributes.
26. From the Status Bar at the bottom of the Surpac window, click Design string.
Design string displays the current design string number
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A Simple Example
Next, you will expand the segment horizontally by a distance of 100. At an angle of 45
degrees, this will create a pit crest 100 meters above the base, at an elevation of 250.
28. Choose Edit > Segment > Expand/Contract.
29. Click anywhere in Graphics to select the segment for expanding.
31. Press ESC to finish expanding.

The segments representing the top and bottom of the pit are displayed.
32. Hold down the right mouse key and drag down or to the left to zoom out.
33. Choose Display > 2D Grid.
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A Simple Example
The pit strings and the 2D grid are displayed.
This procedure can be useful for determining the limits of a block model. Next, you will
create a DTM from this data.
35. Choose Surfaces > Create DTM from Layer.
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A Simple Example
37. If you see a break line error, inspect the pit crest outline for crossing lines and delete
points where the lines cross as follows:
a. Click the Select tool and click Select Point/Triangle.

b. Select a point to delete.
c. Right-click and select Delete.
38. Choose Surfaces > Create DTM from Layer, and then click Apply.
39. Choose Display > 3D Grid.
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A Simple Example
41. Click and drag in graphics to rotate the data.

The pit and 3D grid are displayed.
Next, you will save the DTM file.

42. Choose File > Save > string/DTM File.
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A Simple Example
44. In the next form, click Yes.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _01_simple_pit.tcl. You will need to click
Apply on any forms presented.
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Data Preparation
Data Preparation
Geological Outlines
1. Open zon1.str.
This file contains a range of geological slices taken through a solid of an ore body.
2. Click
.
3. Choose View > Viewing planes > Define viewing planes.
5. Choose View > Viewing planes > Next section or click the Next section icon
to move
the viewing slice through the data.
6. Choose View > Viewing planes > Remove viewing / cutting planes to restore the initial
view of the data.
Note: Geological outlines are a good source of information when performing pit design. They can
be obtained from slicing a geological model (solid or wireframe) or taken from bench by bench
interpretations.
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Data Preparation
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _02_view_geological_outlines.tcl. You will
need to click Apply on any forms presented.
Viewing Whittle Outlines

Surpac has an interface to Whittle 3D and 4D which allows the output of data from Surpac to Whittle
and the conversion of the Whittle results in Surpac string files.
1. Click Reset graphics
2. Open whit16.str.
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Data Preparation
3. Open whit28.str.
4. Choose Edit > Layer > Properties.

The View/modify layer settings form is displayed.
You may want to use the two Whittle files because they represent a two stage pit design.
In this case, whittle16 will be mined first and then a cutback will be done to mine
whittle28. whittle28 is mainly an expansion of whittle16 to the south with only a little
area remaining in the north that would not be practical to mine in the cutback. By
comparing the two files during the pit design, any part of whittle28 to the north could be
included in whittle16 and mined at the same time.
5. Click Apply.
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Data Preparation
6. Click Reset graphics

7. Open wmod915.str.
This file is a combination of whittle16, whittle28 and the geological outlines at the 915
elevation.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _03_view_whittle_strings.tcl.
You will need to click Apply on any forms presented.

1. Click Reset graphics .
2. Open pitdesign.mdl.
3. From the Status Bar at the bottom of the Surpac screen, click pit28.mdl and choose
Display from the popup menu.
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Data Preparation
4. Click Apply.
The pitdesign block model is displayed.
5. Choose Block model > Constraints > New graphical constraint.
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Data Preparation
7. Rotate the model in graphics to view the data.

The model you see is the same as the whit16.str file you reviewed previously.
8. Choose Block model > Constraints > Remove all graphical constraints.
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Data Preparation
The Whittle pit shells 16 and 28 are displayed.
11. Choose Block model > Display > Colour model by attribute.
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Data Preparation
12. Enter the information as shown, click Scan and then click Apply.
The two Whittle pit shells 16 and 28 are now displayed in different colours.
13. Choose Block Model > Block model > Export > Block faces to DTM.
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Data Preparation
15. Close the block model.

16. Open pit28.dtm.
17. Click the

icon.
The data is displayed in section view.
18. Choose Display > 2D grid.
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Data Preparation
20. Choose Solids > Solids tools > Create sections.
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Data Preparation
This will give a vertical axis for slicing the DTM.

22. Enter the parameters as shown, and then click Apply.
There are two results produced by the Slice Object function. The first result is a range of
string files called wmb885 to wmb1085 in increments of 10 which contain the extracted
horizontal sections. These files are saved to disk. The second result is a layer called slice
which contains the extracted sections. If required, you can activate this layer and save all
the sections to a single file.
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Data Preparation
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this task run _04_view_whittle_blockmodel.tcl. You will
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.
2. Choose Block model > Block model > New / Open.
3. Enter the information as follows, and then click Apply.
4. Click Apply.
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6. Click pit28 and choose Display from the popup menu.
7. Click Apply.
The block model is displayed.
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8. Click the macro record icon

.
9. Enter the name grade and click Apply.
You will use this macro later to change views of the data.
11. Enter the information as shown, click Scan, and then click Apply.
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This shows all the blocks within Pit 28, between 880 and 890 elevations, coloured on gold
grade.
to end recording.
Next you will look at which blocks belong to the 16 pit and which belong to the 28 pit.
.
16. Enter the name pits and click Apply.
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to stop recording the macro.
Note: You can change between the two views of the data by running grade.tcl or
pits.tcl at the function prompt.
From previous analysis of the Whittle pit shells, we have decided to design the pit in two
phases. The first phase will be to the limits of Pit #16 to the south, and Pit #28 to the west,
north and east. The second phase of the pit design will be a push back to the south of the
first phase design to excavate the material between Whittle Pit #16 and 28.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this section, run _05_load_constrained_
blockmodel.tcl. You will need to click Apply on any forms presented.

In this case you will be designing from the bottom up so you will use a digitised string based on
information from the whittle model. Remember, when designing the base of the pit, the minimum
pit width must be taken into account.
1. Open bas880.str.
2. Choose View > Zoom > Out.
3. In the Function Chooser, type HOF, and press ENTER.
The base is at an elevation of 880 and the blocks are between 880 and 890. For this
reason, if we had left Hide On we would not be able to see the base where it passes below
the blocks. With Hide Off, you should be able to see the whole outline, as shown.
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4. Reset the block colour to reflect grades.

Note: To see all of the steps performed in this section, run _06_load_base_string.tcl.

As discussed in the previous section, you need to select a slope method to set the batter
angles. You have slope strings already defined from the first data preparation exercise so
you will use this slope string file, slo1.str.
1. Choose Pit design > Select slope method.
2. Click slope strings, and then click Apply.
3. Choose Pit design > Load slope strings.

5. Choose View > Zoom > All.
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6. Choose Display > Point > Attributes.
7. Choose Display > Point > Attributes.
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The slope strings have a value in the first description field that defines the batter angle to
be applied within that polygon.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this section, run _07_define_slope_berm_
width.tcl. You will need to click Apply on any forms presented.
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Task: Define Ramps
Task: Define Ramps

1. Choose Edit > Layer > Properties.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Choose View > Window > In.

Choose View > Surface view options > Hide surface faces.
Choose View > Surface view options > Hide surface edges.
Choose Display > Point > Numbers.
Enter the information as shown, and then click Apply.
8. Choose Pit design > New ramp.
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10. Select point 4, and then point 5.

You are now ready to start creating the pit outlines.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this section, run _08_define_new_ramp.tcl.

In this section you will incrementally design the pit, bench by bench, to the 920 metre level.
1. Choose Expand string > By bench height.
2. In Graphics, select string 1.
The base is expanded up by 10 metres vertically at the slope angles defined in the slopes
string file, and the ramp is designed anti-clockwise at the gradient of 15%, as shown
below:
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When designing pits from the base up, if any pit outlines are to be modified, (eg. to
capture more ore) it is always the toe outline that is adjusted.
Caution: Adjusting outlines can can exceed maximum pit slope. Always check that the
maximum slope angle is not exceeded when adjusting outlines.
4. Choose Expand string > By berm width.
5. In response to the prompt: Select the string to be expanded, click string 2.
This will create a 5 metre berm. In addition to defining berms of fixed width around the
whole pit, berm widths can also be taken from the slope string file or from the second
description field of all points on the outline being expanded. In this way berm widths can
vary in different positions in the pit.
The result of the berm width function is shown below. Note the different berm crossing
characteristics at the ramp crest and toe.
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Before you decide whether to adjust this outline in order to match the Whittle pit as
closely as possible, you should show the Whittle pit blocks and geology on the bench
above, ie. the blocks between 890 and 900.
Each time you expand a string or segment it is good practice to check the resulting line for
any undesirable geometry. It is most common in areas where the pit outline contracts
rather than expands at the apex of acute angles. These may develop anywhere where the
outline has a high level of curvature. These instances may be corrected using the regular
string editing tools during the design.
7. Choose Block model > Constraints > Remove last graphical constraint.
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The screen is updated, as shown.
You will go up one more bench before extending the pit outline to the north in order to
capture the ore which is outside the present pit outline.
The default values are the last entered values and therefore are correct for a 10 metre
bench height.
11. Click Apply.
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The following result is displayed.
In this instance, a small concave face has been formed on the east side of the pit.
13. Use the string editing tools (point move) to straighten the wall as shown.
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Next you will display the Whittle pit blocks and geological model from 900 to 910
elevations.
The screen will be updated as displayed.
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The outline of the Pit at the current level may be edited using Surpac's regular editing
tools at any time during the design process. As mentioned earlier, modifying the design
usually takes place following expand by berm width, to ensure a valid design is
maintained.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this section, run _09_expand_bench_
height_berm_width.tcl. You will need to click Apply on any forms presented.

You will now adjust the toe outline at the 900 elevation to capture the ore to the north of the pit, and
then proceed to the 920 elevation toe.
1. From the Edit menu, select a combination of the Point Move and Point Insert functions
to move and create points on the 900 toe outline until the toe resembles the image
below.
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Note:When adjusting the toe outline interactively in this manner, it is important to

maintain the minimum mining width.
Now you will adjust the toe outline at the 910 elevation to capture the ore to the north of
the pit.

The results are shown below.
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6. Edit the concave outline shown by the arrow above.

This is done to prevent undesirable and impractical pit wall geometries from being
created. Deleting a point on each of the three lines will achieve the desired result, as
shown below.
This removes the last added constraint and in this case will bring back all pit 28 blocks.
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The screen should look as shown below.
10. From the Edit menu, select a combination of the Point Move and Point Insert functions
to move and create points on the 910 toe outline until the toe looks approximately as
shown below.
Note: You can use your own judgement to shape these changes. The images shown
here are only a guide.
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You will now widen the ramp to 20 meters and change its gradient to 10%, in preparation
for a switchback.
Note: The Undo and Redo functions work extremely well when doing pit design. If
geometrical problems are encountered during the design, simply undo the last function
and then fix the area that caused the problem. Re-invoke the function and the new
outline should be created without the geometrical problem. This is a much better
technique than trying to fix the geometrical problem by editing the string after the
problem occurs.
11. Choose Pit design > Ramp properties.
12. Click any point on the outermost pit outline (ie. the 910 toe).
Note: In preparation for the upcoming switchback you will also change the Berm
crossing method to exit at crest so there is still a way to access the berm after putting in
the switchback.
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The ramp will be wider and have a shallower gradient.
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The block model between the elevations 920 and 930 is displayed.

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Note: When performing the pit design, newly created design data is retained in
memory only, and is saved to the hard drive only when the Save File function is explicitly
chosen. To avoid the potential loss of work, your design should be saved regularly using
the Save File function.
Note: To see the end result of all of the steps performed in this section, run _10_edit_
design_and_ramp.tcl.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Click the Reset graphics icon

.
Open pit920.str.
Choose Block model > New/open.
Note: This time you are loading the constrained model created in the previous section.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Choose Block model > Display.

Open pit928.con.
Run grade.tcl to set the colours by gold values.
Choose Block model > Constraints > New graphical constraint.

11. Click Slope strings, and then click Apply.
12. Choose Pit design > Load slope strings.

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This will put the slope strings in a separate layer called slope strings layer. You are now
back to where you were before. The next step will be to define the ramp and continue
with the design. Before you do that you will modify the pit by using the design tools to
insert a switchback.
Note: To see the end result of all of the steps performed in this section, run _11_
restart_pit_design.tcl.

Rather than continue the ramp around to the west side of the pit, you will keep the ramp on the east
wall. In order to do this you will need to insert a switchback.
1. Zoom In on the north end of the pit as shown below.
2. Click the Design String item on the status toolbar.

3. Set the design string number to 99, and then click Apply.
Note: String 99 is a temporary string number, which distinguishes the point or string
from others used in the design. It will be used here to generate a point at a specific
location, then a point from the pit outline will be snapped to it.
4. Choose Create > Points > By angle.
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5. Click the inside point and then the outside point as shown.
This will locate a new point for string 99, at an angle of 180 deg, and 20 metres from a
setup point.
7. From the Edit menu, choose Snap point from the status toolbar, then Move point.
Move the point shown to the new string 99 point.
This will position it correctly in order to start the ramp again and continue the design.
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8. Choose Edit > String > Delete range.

10. Select No Snap from the status toolbar.
11. From the Edit menu, select Point, then insert point and move point functions to design
the turnaround zone.
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13. Click the two ramp entry points.

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Notice that the pit outline includes all of the Whittle outline so we will not adjust the toe
on this bench.
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19. Choose Expand String >>By bench height.

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The block model between 930 and 940 is displayed as shown:
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27. Extend the toe outline at the north end to capture the ore on this bench.
28. Use Expand String >>By bench heightand Expand String >>By berm widthto create the
950 toe.
29. Design another switchback, using the previous technique.
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30. From the Pit design menu, select Ramp properties, and Delete the existing ramp.
31. From the Pit design menu, select New ramp to define a new ramp with properties as
before, except with an anti-clockwise direction.
32. Continue to the next toe at 960. Update the block model display. Your design should
resemble the image shown below.
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33. Continue using Expand string By bench height and Expand string By berm width for 2
more benches, until you reach the 980 elevation toe, as shown below.

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Note: To see the end result of all of the steps performed in this section,run _12_
design_switchbacks.tcl.
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This section describes how to clean your pit design strings prior to creating a DTM, as well as how to
create a DTM surface from the design.

1.
2.
3.
4.

.
Open pitdesign2.str.
Choose Edit > Layer >Clean.
5. Choose File tools > Check for common points.

This function adjusts any points which are close (based on user inputs) to any other
points so that they have exactly the same coordinates.
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7.
8.
9.
10.
Surpac 6.2

.
Open pitnew2.str.
Choose Edit > Layer > Clean.
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Note: If you continue to have intersections, you may wish to clean them manually
using the string edit tools in graphics.
11. When you are sure you have no intersections, save your file as pitdesign2.str

1. Choose Surfaces > DTM File functions > Create DTM from string file
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3.
4.
5.
6.
Surpac 6.2

.
Open pitdesign2.dtm.
Choose Display> Surface or solid with colour banding.
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7. Choose Solids > Display > Condense colouring to give sharp boundaries to the colour
bands.
The pit with colour banding is displayed.
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Pit Design

You will now expand the pit design past the surface topography.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

.
If a block model is open, close it using Block model > Close.
Open top1.str.
Select Display > Point > Attributes.
6. Open pit980.str.
A common way to intersect the design with the surface is to extend the design above the
topography.
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Pit Design
7. Open pit1050.dtm.
This has been created by using the pit design tools previously described to extend the
design from the 980 elevation so that it is above the topography.
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Pit Design
8. Open pit_topo_intersection.str.
The line of intersection between the pit design and the topography has been created by
using Surfaces > Clip or Intersect DTMs > Line of intersection between DTMs.
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Pit Design

.
10. Open pit_design1.dtm and topo_outside_pit1.dtm.
These DTM surfaces were created by using Surfaces > DTM file functions > Clip DTM by
boundary string.
Note: To see all of the steps described in this section, run _13_intersect_design_and_
topo.tcl. You will need to click Apply on any forms presented.
Surpac 6.2
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Pit Design

This section describes how to create a block model constraint of blocks within a pit design, and how
to generate a report of the tonnes and grade of material within the constraint.

In order to calculate grade and tonnage from a block model, you can create the constraint which
represents the material in the pit beforehand.
2. Choose Block model > Block model > Display.

Note: The constraint file pit_design2.con is created, which is a list of all blocks within
this constraint.
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Pit Design
8. Spin the model around to see the blocks coloured by gold grade.
Most of the blocks are waste (gold=0), and are coloured dark blue.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this section, run _15_create_pit_
constraint.tcl. You will need to click Apply on any forms presented.
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Pit Design

2. Choose Block model > Block model > Report.
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Pit Design
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Pit Design
6. The file pit_design2.not will be displayed.
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Pit Design
Note: Your report should be similar in format, but the numbers may not be exactly the
same.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this section, run _16_grade_and_
tonnage.tcl. You will need to click Apply on any forms presented.
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Pit Design
Waste Dump Design
Waste Dump Design

This section will show you how to use Surpac to create a Dump Design and a Digital Terrain Model
(DTM) of that design. You will then generate a Volume report, and a Bench Volume report of material
that can be stored on each bench.
You will perform the dump design on the combined surface of the topography and the pit design. A
key objective of this exercise is to show you how to set up an all cut ramp.

1. Open pit_and_topo2.str.
The following image is displayed.
2. Open dcl1.str.
The image shown below is displayed.
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Pit Design
Waste Dump Design
3. Open dtop1045.str.
4. Rescale the screen using a combination of window, zoom and pan tools until the screen
looks approximately like the image below:
The top of the dump is approximately 50 metres above the topography, at an elevation
of 1045 metres. The gradient of the centre line will be set during the dump design
process.
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Pit Design
Waste Dump Design
7. Choose Pit design > Set slope gradient.

The new design gradient will be shown in the status toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
9. Choose Display > Point > Markers.


12. Select two points on the dump top, one on either side of the ramp centre line a shown.
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Pit Design
Waste Dump Design
14. Following the prompt, select the ramp centre line anywhere where there are no other
strings which you may accidentally snap to.
After selecting the ramp centre line, the dump top outline is modified slightly as shown in
the next image. This change is made to resolve geometry problems at the start of the
ramp.
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Pit Design
Waste Dump Design
Note: In this design you will only have one safety berm at 1025 metres in this dump.
15. Choose Expand string > To elevation, and then click on the dump outline.
The display is updated, as shown.
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Pit Design
Waste Dump Design
You will now create a 10 metre berm at this elevation.

17. Choose Display > Point > Numbers.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
Surpac 6.2
Check the point number to identify overlapping and close points.

Choose Edit > Point > Delete.
Delete any close to or overlapping points.
Choose Expand segment > By berm width.
Select string 2.
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Pit Design
Waste Dump Design
Now project the dump outline to the DTM of the topographic surface.
Choose Load a DTM surface and load top1, leaving the display DTM at N.
25. Choose Expand segment >To DTM surface.

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Pit Design
Waste Dump Design
The image below is displayed.
27. Choose Pit design > Display DTM surface offsets.

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

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Pit Design
Waste Dump Design
30. Choose Surfaces > DTM File functions > Create DTM from string file.
Next you will clip a hole in the topographic surface around the Dump design. For a
boundary string, you will use the Dump design string that lies on the topographic surface
(string #4). Then you will append the clipped topographic string file and dump design
strings, and create a DTM of the surface. To achieve this you will use the previously
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Pit Design
Waste Dump Design
created topographic surface which has already been combined with the pit design strings.
The two files to combine are pit_and_topo2.str and dumpdesign1.str
32. Click the Reset graphics
icon.
33. Open pit_and_topo2.str.
The pit and topograhy are displayed.
From the File tools menu, select Apply boundary string and enter the parameters as
shown below.
34. Open dumpdesign1.str to the current layer using the replace option.
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Pit Design
Waste Dump Design
35. Open temp10.str, appending it to the current layer.

37. Enter the infomration as shown, and then click Apply.
38. Create a DTM of pit_dump_and_topo2.str.

39. Open pit_dump_and_topo2.dtm onto the same layer as the string file, replacing the
string file.
Note: To see all of the steps performed in this section, run _16_waste_dump_design.tcl. You will

Now you will calculate the total volume of the dump.
1. Choose Surfaces > Volumes > Net volume between DTMs.
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Pit Design
Waste Dump Design
The form below gives you the option of saving the DTM clipped within the boundary
string. This is done for visualization purposes as this allows you to colour the dump
differently to the surrounding topography.
Note: As a general rule of thumb you should only use clipped DTMs for visualization,
and not for other DTM functions.
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Pit Design
Waste Dump Design
Upon applying the second Save A Modified Dtm form, the volume is calculated and
written to a note file called top1.not.
4. View top1.not in a text editor.
The report is displayed.
Surpac 6.2
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Pit Design

Pit Design

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Copyright 2011 Gemcom Software International Inc.

Setup for This Tutorial

Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows XP)

Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows Vista and Windows 7)

Displaying the Toolbar and Menubar

Task: View Whittle Outlines from the Surpac Block Model

Basic Pit Design Tools

Task: Load the Constrained Block Model

Task: Define the Starting String

Task: Define Slopes and Berm Widths

Task: Define Ramps

Task: Create Crests and Toes

Task: Edit the Design

Additional Pit Design Tools

Task: Restart a Pit Design

Task: Design a Switchback

Creating a DTM of a Pit Design

Task: Clean Pit Design Strings

Task: Create a DTM of a Pit Design

Intersect Pit Design with Surface Topography

Task: Intersect Pit Design and Topography

Grade and Tonnage Calculations

Task: Create a Block Model Constraint of Material in a Pit

Task: Calculate Grade and Tonnage of Material in Pit

Waste Dump Design

Task: Design a Waste Dump

Task: Calculate Dump Volume

Surpac v6.2 or later installed.

Using string tools to create a simple pit design

Setup for This Tutorial

Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows XP)

Setup for This Tutorial

Setup for This Tutorial

Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows Vista and Windows 7)

Task: Set the Work Directory (Windows Vista and Windows 7)

Setup for This Tutorial

Task: Display the minedesign Toolbar and Menubar

Displaying the Toolbar and Menubar

Task: Create a Simple Pit Design

Task: Create a Simple Pit Design

3. Choose Create > Digitise > Properties.

Task: Create a Simple Pit Design

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

5. Choose Create > Digitise > New point at mouse location.

7. Choose Create > Digitise > New point by selection.

Task: Create a Simple Pit Design

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

Task: Create a Simple Pit Design

12. Choose Create > Digitise > Close current segment.

Task: Create a Simple Pit Design

The closed segment is displayed.

15. Click the Reset graphics icon

Task: Create a Simple Pit Design

16. Drag and drop pit150.str into graphics.

Task: Create a Simple Pit Design

The numbered points on the segment are displayed.

Task: Create a Simple Pit Design

19. Set the selection mode to Select Point/Triangle.

Task: Create a Simple Pit Design

21. Right-click to display a menu, and then select Delete.

Task: Create a Simple Pit Design

The renumbered segment is displayed.

Task: Create a Simple Pit Design

Design grade displays the current design gradient