Geologic modellers will enjoy a new level of precision for their 3D block models with MineSight Sub-Blocking, released this month by Mintec. This delivers two notable advantages over traditional sub-blocking approaches, the company says. Firstly, a sub-blocked model can carry multiple divisions. For example, you may wish to sub-block a model by geologic codes and by a phase design. Once each set of solids is coded to the model, simply alternate between the two sub-block divisions within the one model.

Secondly, sub-block divisions can be updated at any time. So, if you receive additional geologic data or a new pit design after the initial sub-blocking, you can easily update the model without the need to rebuild the model from scratch.

“Models with very small block sizes and hundreds of items can quickly become unmanageable due to their file size,” said Mintec President, John Davies. “Sub-blocking in MineSight generates an additional file associated with the 3D block model that is only applied to sub-blocked areas and items. This includes geologic characteristics, grades, and other information, such as mined out flags. It can be created to redefine resolution along contacts.”

“This provides unprecedented precision without the performance hit.”

Information in the sub-blocked file is stored independently for each item and items can be added to sub-blocked storage at any time. Sub-blocks can be defined by coding from solids and surfaces, set from user calculations, or interpolated from composites.

MineSight Sub-Blocking features a new, improved query that can group like-items into zones and create a visual breakdown of individual parent blocks. The ability to query parent and sub-blocks by showing zones and editing items offers great detail and flexibility.

The new software is part of MineSight Version 8, which saw the long-awaited release of MineSight Atlas, a complete package for manual scheduling and stockpile management. Like Atlas, MineSight Sub-Blocking’s ability to aid in reserve calculations and clarify troubled cuts, lies in its full integration with other MineSight products, particularly Compass, Interactive Planner and Atlas.