Studio 3 Block Modelling Introduction

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Block modeling is a very powerful technique which models deposits as a set of 3-D cells and sub-cells. Sub-cells are a unique Datamine concept, in which and cell may be split into any number of differently sized sub-cells to define any required level of local detail.

Models may represent geological structure, or grade distribution, or both. There is a choice of interpolation methods, statistical and geostatistical, and the model can be edited and examined interactively in plan or section.

Evaluations of reserves for the whole model or selected areas can be produced, and many different types of data can be processed at once.

Separate models representing different properties or zones can be combined and superimposed, and the models so created are used throughout the Datamine system. The cell/sub-cell structure is equally suitable for massive, layered, vein type or alluvial deposits.

Cell models may be displayed over a wireframe surface, allowing for example the ore in the walls of a drive or an open pit to be shown, with user specified colours defined by filters.

Within a perimeter, cells may also be displayed at distances above or below the view plane, allowing for example selective examination of the model on the bench above or below the current plane without changing the view.

An evaluation method is also provided, in which a temporary wireframe model is constructed between any two user-defined three-dimensional perimeters and evaluated against the cell model