tutorial minex core

Core tutorial

Version 6.2

Core

Version 6.1

June 11

Copyright © 2013 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, MineSched, Whittle, PCBC, Gemcom InSite, and Gemcom Hub are trademarks of Gemcom Software International Inc. or its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Product

Gemcom Minex ™ 6.2

Core tutorial

iii

Table of Contents

About this document ......................................................................................................................... 5

Overview .................................................................................................................................................................. 5

Requirements ........................................................................................................................................................... 5

Objectives ................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Document conventions ............................................................................................................................................ 6

Overview of Minex ............................................................................................................................ 9

Getting started ................................................................................................................................ 10

Installing Minex ...................................................................................................................................................... 10

Starting Minex ........................................................................................................................................................ 11

Licensing Minex...................................................................................................................................................... 12

Loading data sets ................................................................................................................................................... 14

Exiting Minex ......................................................................................................................................................... 14

Starting a new project ............................................................................................................................................ 14

Organising the project ........................................................................................................................................... 18

Setting units of measurement ............................................................................................................................... 20

The local origin ....................................................................................................................................................... 20

Concepts ......................................................................................................................................... 23

File types ................................................................................................................................................................ 23

The Minex interface ......................................................................................................................... 25

3D Design tab and Drafting tab .............................................................................................................................. 25

Minex Explorer ....................................................................................................................................................... 26

Message box .......................................................................................................................................................... 27

Toolbars ................................................................................................................................................................. 27

Menu bar ............................................................................................................................................................... 28

Properties pane ...................................................................................................................................................... 28

Status bar ............................................................................................................................................................... 29

Output Window ..................................................................................................................................................... 29

Graphics ................................................................................................................................................................. 30

Getting help .................................................................................................................................... 33

Geometry data ................................................................................................................................ 35

Geometry file ......................................................................................................................................................... 36

Data types .............................................................................................................................................................. 37

Opening, viewing, and saving data ................................................................................................... 41

Opening files .......................................................................................................................................................... 41

Primary and secondary geometry files .................................................................................................................. 41

Viewing geometry data .......................................................................................................................................... 42

Clearing Graphics ................................................................................................................................................... 46

Object Control Panel .............................................................................................................................................. 47

Multiple Graphics windows ................................................................................................................................... 52

Rotating, zooming, and panning ............................................................................................................................ 52

Saving geometry .................................................................................................................................................... 57

Saving and getting parameters .............................................................................................................................. 59

Performing queries ................................................................................................................................................ 65

iv

Digitising ......................................................................................................................................... 66

Digitise options ...................................................................................................................................................... 66

Editing strings......................................................................................................................................................... 67

Cancelling digitize mode ........................................................................................................................................ 74

Creating strings ...................................................................................................................................................... 74

Annotating strings .................................................................................................................................................. 84

Triangle files .................................................................................................................................... 91

Boreholes ...................................................................................................................................... 107

Split seam interval file .......................................................................................................................................... 107

Seam classes: input, estimated, and interpolated ............................................................................................... 108

Grids ............................................................................................................................................. 121

Grid folders .......................................................................................................................................................... 122

Grid files ............................................................................................................................................................... 123

Grid Arithmetic .................................................................................................................................................... 134

Strip ratio ............................................................................................................................................................. 141

Plan and section mounts ................................................................................................................ 147

Drafting tab .......................................................................................................................................................... 147

Mounts Control Panel .......................................................................................................................................... 148

Sections ................................................................................................................................................................ 148

Plans ..................................................................................................................................................................... 162

Archiving .............................................................................................................................................................. 166

Title blocks ........................................................................................................................................................... 169

Spooling to a printer ............................................................................................................................................ 188

Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 191

Appendix A: Use self-service licensing ............................................................................................ 193

Appendix B: Manually set the local origin ....................................................................................... 195

Appendix C: Minex shortcut switches ............................................................................................. 199

Appendix D: The ECS_CGM_PLOTTER.SPL file ................................................................................. 201

5 of 202

About this document

Overview

This document is designed to give you an overview of Minex computerized mine planning software. It explains basic concepts that you must understand in order to use the more advanced features of Minex.

This tutorial uses a data set that is copied to your computer when Minex software is installed.

When the software has been installed, more detailed information is available in the Minex Help, which you can open from the Help menu. You can also contact your local Gemcom support office for training.

Requirements

Before proceeding with this tutorial, you will need:

Minex 6.2 or later installed

the Ashes data set

a Minex licence

If you accept the default settings when you first install Minex, the data sets are installed. If you chose not to install the data sets, refer to the Starting a new project section of this document.

Objectives

After working through this tutorial, you will be able to:

start Minex

identify the main areas of the Minex interface

know how to get more help about Minex

rotate, pan, and zoom in to 3D objects

perform queries

understand and work with geometry data

save and get parameters in any dialog box

digitize a string

understand and work with triangles

understand and work with borehole data

understand and work with grids

understand and work with plans and sections

6 of 202

Document conventions

Typographical conventions

Some text in this guide has special formatting to help you identify it as part of a particular element of information. The following table describes the different text formats and their meanings.

Text format Meaning

<Bold Italic> Text or data that varies with each input is shown in bold italic font and enclosed in angle brackets. Some examples are installation directories, dates, names, and passwords. When you substitute the text for the variable, do not include the brackets. For example: <password> requires you to substitute a password in place of ‘<password>’.

Italics A word or phrase to which the author wants to give emphasis. For example: you must select an item from the list to continue.

Bold This typeface indicates one of the following:

A file name, path, or URL.

Strongly emphasized text. For example, “It is very important to save the data […]”.

Text that a procedure has instructed you to type.

A menu option, tab, button, check box, list, option button, text box, or icon.

For example: Save the file as pit1.str.

Keyboard conventions Key combination Meaning

<key>+<key> Press and hold the first key, then press the second key. For example: CTRL+Z means press and hold the CTRL key, then press Z.

Menu conventions

When you click, or move the pointer over, some menu commands, a secondary, or subordinate, menu appears. To indicate that you should select a command on a subordinate menu, this documentation uses a greater than (>) sign to separate the main menu command from the subordinate menu command. For example, File > Project > Project Manager means choose the File menu, move the mouse pointer over the Project command, and then select Project Manager on the subordinate menu.

Mouse conventions Action Description

Click Press and release the left mouse button without moving the mouse.

Right-click Press and release the right mouse button without moving the mouse.

Double-click Rapidly click the left mouse button twice without moving the mouse.

Drag <an object> With the mouse pointer over the object, press and hold the left mouse button to select the object. Move the pointer until the object is in the position you want, and then release the mouse button.

7 of 202

Action Description

Rotate Use your finger to make the wheel button roll. Move it forward, that is in a clockwise direction, or backward, that is in an anticlockwise direction.

Form elements

Forms, or dialog boxes, can contain a variety of elements that enable users to carry out operations. Here is an example form.

Forms can contain the following elements

Element Description Example

Title Title of the form.

Tab Labelled group of options used for many similar kinds of settings.

Text box or field

Rectangular box in which you can type text. If the box already contains text, you can select that text and edit it.

Drop-down combo box

Closed version of a list box with an arrow next to it. Clicking the arrow opens the list.

Option button

Round button you can use to select one of a group of mutually exclusive options.

Label Text attached to any option, box, button, or to any other element of a window or dialog box.

Help button

Context-sensitive Help button.

Check box

Square box that you select or clear to turn an option on or off.

Button Rectangular or square button that runs a command. Buttons have text labels to indicate their purpose.

8 of 202

Element Description Example

Icon A graphical button that you can click to run a command.

List box Any type of box containing a selectable list of items in table format.

Menu A set of options or commands that you can run.

Spin box A text box with up and down arrows that you can click to move through a set of fixed values. You can also type a valid value in the box.

Tree A graphical representation of a hierarchical structure. A plus sign next to an item on the tree indicates that you can expand the item to show subordinate items; a minus sign indicates that you can collapse the item.

9 of 202

Overview of Minex

Minex is a mine planning software package for coal and other stratigraphic deposits such as phosphate, zinc, bauxite, iron ore, and platinum.

It is designed to allow surveyors, geologists, and engineers to work together effectively throughout the life of a mine.

The mine design functions in Minex are integrally linked to a geology model so that mine designs can align with economic or geological considerations such as depth, strip ratio, or optimum pit limits. The reserves and quality data are stored in a database for fast access, editing, manipulation, and reporting.

The following image shows the main Minex window.

10 of 202

Getting started

Installing Minex

Follow these steps to install Minex for the first time or to install a newer version of the software.

If Minex is already installed, you will see an icon on your desktop similar to this:

If you already have an older version of Minex installed, you can uninstall it before installing the new version or you can run both versions. If you do uninstall Minex, any data files that you created remain on your computer.

Activity: Install Minex

1. If you have a Minex installation CD, insert it into your disc drive; if you have a Minex installation file, double-click it in Windows Explorer.

The Installation Wizard opens.

2. Follow the instructions in the Installation Wizard to install the software.

11 of 202

After the installation is complete, a new Minex icon appears on the desktop, similar to this:

Starting Minex

The first time you start Minex, you might have to respond to several messages to successfully start the program. After you have started Minex for the first time and licensed it correctly, you can start Minex by double-clicking the icon and clicking Accept.

Activity: Start Minex

1. Double-click the Minex icon on the desktop.

2. If you see a message that Minex is blocked by Windows, choose the option to unblock it.

3. If you see the Licence Request dialog box, leave None selected, and click Ok.

You will license Minex in the next activity.

12 of 202

4. Read the license agreement, and select the check box.

5. Click Next to start Minex.

Licensing Minex

If you do not have a licence, you can run Minex, plot geometry data, and display grids, but you cannot save any data. This enables you to gain a general impression of Minex if you have a demo CD. To access the full functionality of Minex, you must license it.

Your organisation might have a network licence to run Minex or you might have a “local” licence. If you have a local license, you should have a token number and a dongle (also known as a sentinel or hasp) that is designed to be plugged in to a USB port.

This activity explains how to set Minex to use a local licence. For advice on setting up a network licence, ask your system administrator.

Note: To purchase a license, contact your local Gemcom support office.

Activity: Set Minex to use a local licence

1. Ensure that your dongle is inserted into one of the USB ports on your computer.

2. Start Minex.

3. Choose File > Licencing to open the Licence Request form.

13 of 202

4. Select the Local option, and click Ok.

The Update Licence Token dialog appears.

5. In the Token field, type your token number, and click Validate.

The field to the right of the Validate button reads Valid, and the check boxes in the Licenced Modules pane are selected according to the modules included in your licence. The licence file (license.dat) is automatically generated in the <minex shared files folder>\shared\etc\license folder.

14 of 202

Tip: If you do not have a token number, click Cancel, and, in the Licence Request dialog, use the self-

servicing option to request a token number from Gemcom (for more information see Appendix A).

6. Click Ok.

Loading data sets

Minex tutorials instruct you to complete tasks on a set of data. This tutorial uses the Ashes data set. The location of the data set depends on your operating system.

Operating system Location of Ashes data set

Windows 7 or Windows 8

C:\Users\Public\Gemcom\Minex\<Minex version>\shared\tutorialData\Datasets\Ashes

Windows XP C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Gemcom\Minex\<Version>\shared\tutorialData\Datasets\Ashes

Tips:

If you change the data and you want to start again, copy the data sets directly from the Minex installation CD.

You can also keep a backup of the Ashes data set by right-clicking the Ashes folder, and choosing Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.

Activity: Back up the data set

If you keep a backup copy of the data, you can restart the tutorial with a fresh set of data later.

1. Start Windows Explorer.

2. Browse to the data set.

3. Right-click the Ashes folder, and choose Send To > Compressed (zipped) folder.

4. In Windows Explorer, make a new folder for backups, for example C:\minexBackups, and copy the zip file to that folder.

Exiting Minex

To exit Minex, click the Close icon in the top right corner of the main Minex window. Or select File > Exit.

If there are any files with unsaved changes, Minex prompts you to save those files.

Starting a new project

To begin using Minex, it is a good idea to start a project and set the project directory to the location of the data files you will work with. When you have a project, it is easy to work with your data files.

15 of 202

Activity: Start a new project

1. Choose File > Project > Project Manager.

2. Click New.

3. Type the name of the project, for example intro_tutorial.

16 of 202

You have now given the project a name. Next you will set the project to use the data files in a specific directory.

4. Browse to the Ashes folder.

The location of the folder depends on your operating system and version of Minex.

Operating system Location of Ashes data set


C:\Users\Public\Gemcom\Minex\<Minex version>\shared\tutorialData\Datasets\Ashes

Windows XP C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Gemcom\Minex\<Version>\shared\tutorialData\Datasets\Ashes

Tip: When you are browsing to this folder, you can click the Jump to My Documents icon to jump to a folder that is near the Public folder where the datasets are stored.

Note: The file collection setting is optional. If you click Finish at the first page of the wizard you do not

set a file collection setting.

5. If you want to set a file collection setting, click Next, and proceed to the next step.

You choose a file collection setting when you want to have the data set organised into subfolders with meaningful names rather than a single folder.

6. Click Next.

17 of 202

7. Select Minex Default 1(All Files).

8. Click Finish.

You have now created the project and set its project directory. The Minex Explorer, on the left side of the main Minex window, shows a list of folders and data files in the project.

Because you chose a File Collection setting, all new files you create will be saved into the subfolders you created.

18 of 202

Organising the project

If a project is not organised, and it has many data files, it can be difficult to find the specific file you need.

The AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5 file remains in the top level folder, even though there is a Triangulation_Files

subfolder. To move existing (rather than new) files into the subfolders you must use the Organise Project command.

Activity: Organise the project

1. Select File > Project > Organize Project.

2. In the Organize Project dialog box, select Minex Default 1 (All Files).

3. Click Next.

The After Management pane shows the changes to the project.

4. Click Finish.

19 of 202

5. After the file management is finished, click OK.

The Minex Explorer shows the new file structure. All of the files, except for the csv files, are now located in the subfolders.

Tip: If you see a message that some files cannot be moved, check whether or not those files are read-only in Windows Explorer. If they are, clear the Read-Only check box in the file properties and use the Organise Project command again.

Tip: If, at any time, the Minex Explorer indicates that the link to the project folder is broken, view the

“broken link” property and open Windows Explorer to check whether the folder exists. The folder might have been renamed or moved.

20 of 202

Setting units of measurement

You can set Minex to use the metric or imperial measurement system. When you set the measurement system, you inform Minex what system your data already uses. Minex does not convert data when you set the measurement system.

The default units of quantity that Minex uses are as follows.

Quantity Metric Imperial

Length or thickness metres feet

Area metres2 acres

Volume metres3 Yards3

Activity: Set the measurement system

1. Select Tools > Options.

2. Expand Application Settings > General, and select Unit Measurement.

3. If you are following the steps in this tutorial, set Unit Measurement to Metric.

The Ashes data set uses metric measurements.

4. Click Close.

5. If you had to change this setting from Imperial, restart Minex.

The local origin

The local origin is a geographical point of reference that Minex uses to improve accuracy when performing mathematical functions on coordinates, especially when those coordinates are large.

When you create a new project, Minex automatically sets the local origin based on the first point it finds in the geometry file that is displayed or in the database that is opened (for example, boreholeDB, reservesDB).

21 of 202

If you then display data that is far from the current local origin, a form appears, prompting you to accept the new local origin.

For information on setting the local origin manually, see Appendix B.

23 of 202

Concepts

File types

You can work with several types of file in Minex. Some that you might use are:

Icon Name Extension Used Description

Geometry .gm3 Throughout Minex Used for working with points and string data.

Survey data is stored as geometry.

All strings and points are stored in a geometry file.

Computer Graphics Metafile

.cgm Throughout Minex A ‘graphics capture’ output file of a plan or section. (Other file formats are also used for this purpose.)

Grid .grid Structural Modelling

and throughout Minex

Used to represent topography, seam floors, seam roofs, and also to store seam thickness and quality attributes like ash or moisture.

Triangle file .tr5 Throughout Minex Used for volume calculations. Also used for

pit surfaces so engineers can design on them.

Texture registration

.trn Throughout Minex Used in texture mapping to drape a photograph or other image over a triangle file.

Parameter .mpf Throughout Minex Holds the settings that you entered into

dialog boxes, and want to keep.

Borehole database

.b31 Borehole seam or vein modelling

Used for storing, analysing, displaying, and interpreting borehole data.

Reserves database

.dbr Open Cut Pit Design and Reserves

Holds data about the reserves of mineable resource in your open-cut pit.

Seam model .sml Borehole Seam/Vein

Modelling Holds a model of all the seams.

SQL file .SQL Throughout Minex A script that updates boreholes, grids, seam

models, and the reserves database, or performs some action on your data.

AutoCAD file .dwg Surveying Used for importing survey data.

DAWORK file

.TMP<user Timestamp>

Throughout Minex A backup record of the current Minex session. You can retrieve a geometry file from a DAWORK file.

n/a Mount n/a Throughout Minex A two dimensional area with coordinates, in which you create a plan or a section with a scale.

The mount file is not represented by a file. Instead you select the plan mount, or section mount, you want to work with in the Mounts Control Panel. Mounts are explained later in

this tutorial.

25 of 202

The Minex interface

The image below shows the standard Minex interface with some important areas indicated.

Output windowProperties pane status bar Graphics

menu bartoolbarsMessage boxMinex

Explorer

3D Design tab

and Drafting tab

3D Design tab and Drafting tab

The 3D Design and Drafting tabs indicate which workspace you are using. A workspace is a 3D or 2D view of the Minex files.

Tab Use

3D Design Map data in real-world X, Y, Z coordinates.

Drafting 2D data such as plans and sections that already exist. This data has sheet coordinates and a defined scale.

Note: You use the Visualization tab for advanced tasks that are beyond the scope of this tutorial. You use the Scheduling tab for open pit or underground scheduling, which is also beyond the scope of this tutorial.

26 of 202

Only one of the tabs is active at any time.

If a menu command is unavailable, it might be because the menu command is not available for the tab that is active. For example, to create a plan or a section, you start with 3D data and make the 2D plan or section from it. Therefore, you need to use the 3D Design tab (rather than the Drafting tab) when you start creating the plan or section.

Minex Explorer

The Minex Explorer is a window that shows files and folders in a similar way to Windows Explorer. You can quickly open files from the Minex Explorer, and perform other commands on those files. When you right-click a file, a menu displays the commands you can perform. This type of a menu is sometimes called a context menu.

A check mark indicates the files that are open.

27 of 202

There are three tabs at the bottom of the Minex Explorer. Only one of the three tabs is active at any time.

Tip: If you move the pointer over the project’s folder in the Minex Explorer, a ToolTip displays the project’s path (excluding the drive, which is usually C:).

Message box

The Message box displays interaction instructions, system status messages, questions, and warnings when you are using Minex.

These messages can prompt you for the next action to perform and give an indication of the mode you are using.

If Minex does not perform the way you expect, there might be a message in the Message box that explains the reason.

Toolbars

A toolbar is a group of icon buttons. To see the name of the toolbar, move the pointer over the double lines to the left of the icon in the toolbar as shown in the following image of the Plot Modes toolbar.

You can move the pointer over an icon to see the name of the command it activates. By clicking the icon, you activate the command.

Tab Description

Filesystems The files available on your computer’s hard drive and all the files that are currently available.

Project <name of Minex project>

The files in the current project directory.

This tab is useful when you want to open a new file that is in your project.

Runtime The files currently open in Minex. Also shows all the grid folders, the Mounts Control Panel, and the Object Control Panel. These concepts are explained later in this

tutorial.

This tab is useful when you want to work with files that are currently open, or to find out which files are currently open.

28 of 202

Activity: Show one toolbar and hide another

1. Right-click in an empty area beside the toolbars.

Those toolbars that are currently displayed have a check mark beside them. For example, Graphics should be selected.

2. If the Graphics toolbar is currently selected, click it. Otherwise click a different toolbar that is currently selected.

The toolbar, and all its icon buttons, disappears from the Minex interface.

3. If you did not see it disappear, right-click and select it again to see it reappear.

4. When you get more familiar with Minex, you can use this technique to customise the toolbar to show only the toolbars you use frequently.

Menu bar

The menu bar contains menus that show a list of commands. You can activate those commands by clicking them. Using the menu bar is one way of activating commands.

Properties pane

The Properties pane displays the properties of the files, strings, and points.

The following image shows the properties of a string representing a fence.

You can change any property that appears with blue text. Properties that appear with red text are read-only.

When you select… The Properties panel shows the properties of…

a file in the Minex Explorer the file.

a string or point that is displayed in Graphics the string or point.

29 of 202

Each string has an Editable property. When Editable is set to True, you can edit the string. When Editable is set to False, you cannot edit the string. Minex uses the Editable property to prevent you from changing some strings that you should not change manually.

Some files have a Read Only property. You can prevent changes to these files by setting Read Only to True.

Status bar

The Status bar shows the coordinates that the pointer is currently pointing to, and the azimuth, dip, tilt, and exaggeration of the z-amplitude that is currently applied in Graphics.

It also shows a drop-down list of the last 10 commands that you ran, and a button to let you run one of the commands again if you need.

The progress bar on the right side of the status bar shows the progress of any action that is taking a long time to process. If the Stop button is active, you can use it to interrupt the process.

Output Window

The Output Window is the area that displays results of queries and reports. The example below shows the output from using the Query tool, and clicking on two strings that represent fences, to find the distance between them.

Note: If the Output window is not visible, select Windows > Output Window.

30 of 202

To save the results of a query, right-click in the Output window, and click Save All Text to File.

To clear the output, right-click in the Output window, and click Clear Output.

Graphics

Minex displays all its graphical data (including geometry data, grids, triangles, plans, sections, and textured images) in Graphics. In the example below, Graphics displays a textured image (registered onto a triangulated file) and also some geometry data (fences and walls).

When you want to select existing strings, edit them, and create new strings, you work in Graphics. The act of creating a string or point is also called ‘digitizing’ (see the Digitizing section of this document).

31 of 202

If you create plans or sections on different ‘mounts’, each plan is displayed on a different Graphics tab. You can find further information on mounts in the Plan and section mounts section of this tutorial. To work on a different plan or section, click its Graphics tab.

Activity: Display a triangle file

1. In the Minex Explorer, expand the Triangulation_Files folder.

2. Right-click the AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5 file, and choose Display and Open.

Graphics displays a triangulated file that represents the mine site as seen from the air.

Note: A triangulated file is sometimes called ‘a triangle’ for simplicity.

3. Click and drag with the left mouse button, and with the middle mouse button to see how you can change your view of the data.

4. Rotate the mouse wheel to zoom in or out.

By looking at the X, Y, Z icon in Graphics, you can see whether you are looking down on the data from above, from the side, or from a different angle (Z is the axis of elevation).

32 of 202

The 3D Design tab is active rather than the Drafting tab. When working with three-dimensional data you use the 3D Design tab. The Drafting tab is useful for working with two-dimensional data on plans and sections.

Getting help

33 of 202

Getting help

The following types of help are available in Minex.

Type of help How to access Information provided

Minex Help From the Help menu, select Contents

Reference help.

Context-sensitive help

Press F1 Help specific to the dialog box that is currently open.

You can also press F1 when you have selected (but not yet clicked) any menu command to display context-sensitive help. This is particularly useful for functions that do not open dialog boxes.

Tutorials Open them from <Minex install folder> tutorials

Activity-based help.

ToolTip Move the pointer over an icon, field, or other windows feature and pause.

Tips or hints about how to use the feature.

Geometry data

35 of 202

Geometry data

All geometry data consists of lines, known as ‘strings’. Each string consists of a series of ‘points’. A point is a location in 3D space, identified by its easting (X), northing (Y), and elevation (Z) coordinates.

The following image shows a string that represents contours. The circles are the points within the string. The string appears black because it is selected.

The line that connects two points is a segment. When you click a string in Graphics, the ‘current’ segment and the ‘current’ point are highlighted in red. You can run several commands that work with the current segment or the current point.

Note: When Minex is in Point mode, points are displayed as crosses. In String mode, points are displayed as

circles. See the Point mode and String mode section of this tutorial for more information.

Geometry can represent:

physical features such as fences, buildings, contours, and bodies of water

planned physical features such as gate roads, or drift panel in a planned underground mine

an intangible ‘mask’ that marks an area of interest, or an area to avoid

For example, a mask can mark an area where mining activity is prohibited.

Geometry data Geometry file

36 of 202

The following image shows an example of some geometry data, specifically water bodies and contours.

Geometry data has many uses. For example, you can convert survey data of an open pit to a triangulated surface to calculate the volume of waste and coal between the triangulated surface and the topography.

Geometry file

In Minex, you must store strings and points in a geometry file to work with them. Geometry files have the .GM3 extension. The following image shows a geometry file called THEDON.GM3 which is supplied with the Ashes data set.

If you do not already have a geometry file, or if you want to create one to hold a small amount of data, use the File > New command.

Notes: You can import to a geometry file from various file formats using the File > Import commands.

You can export from a geometry file to various file formats using the File > Export commands.

Structure of a geometry file

A geometry file contains many different types of data, stored in a hierarchy. If you display all the geometry data in a file, Graphics might appear cluttered. When you understand the hierarchy and you display geometry data, you can choose the type of data you want to show and hide the rest.

Geometry data Data types

37 of 202

The following image shows one possible storage hierarchy:

GM3

Title BlockBlast 2D Base Map Mask Structure

NORTH SOUTH WEST

FAULTS CADAST SURVEY

BREAKLIN CREEK RAIL SCONTOUR

Data type

Group (e.g. pits)

Map

Ident

The Minex data administrator at your site defines the groups, maps, and idents; they are not hardcoded in Minex. For example, the ident that you use for contours is not necessarily SCONTOUR; its name might be CONTOUR or a different name.

Data types

Every string has a data type. The important ones to know are as follows.

Data type Used for

Structure Topographical features such as contours or surface spot heights. Also used for geological structural surfaces such as the roof or floor of a coal seam.

Masks Closed polygons representing lease boundaries, rehabilitated areas, or areas within which you want to report volume and tonnage. This is also useful for masking operations on triangles and grids.

Base Map Power lines, buildings, and anything you would expect to see on a paper map.

There are other data types, but you do not need to know them all to get a basic understanding of Minex.


38 of 202

When you select a string in Graphics, the Properties pane shows you its data type. The following image shows a survey string that marks an area of erosion. This string has a data type of Structure.

In Minex, it is not critical that you assign each type of data to the data types as previously described. For example, in THEDON.GM3, most data has a data type of Structure regardless of its purpose. However, a few masking operations, such as String > Geometry Tools > Mask String Rename, require a string of data type Mask as input.

Description field

Strings of data type Structure have an optional Structure Description field you can use to hold a textual description of the string.


39 of 202

Point mode and String mode

When geometry is displayed in Graphics, Minex is in String mode or Point mode. The Select list shows you which geometry mode is active. The image below shows that Minex is in Point mode.

When Minex is in Point mode, points are displayed as crosses. In String mode, points are displayed as circles.

Point mode String mode

To run some commands, such as most of those on the String menu, you must activate String mode. Similarly, to run the commands on the Point menu, you must activate Point mode.

The Properties pane displays the properties of:

the selected string if Graphics is in String mode

the selected point if Graphics is in Point mode

To change the mode, right-click in Graphics, and choose either Go Point mode or Go String mode.

Opening, viewing, and saving data Opening files

41 of 202

Opening, viewing, and saving data

In Minex, to view a file, you must open it, and then display it (or display data within it). The way in which you open the file is very similar regardless of the type of file. However, the way in which you display the file, or data within it, differs depending on the file type.

This section of the tutorial concentrates on geometry data. The Triangles, Boreholes, and Grids sections of this tutorial contain information about viewing those types of file.

Opening files

To view data (such as geometry, grids, triangles, or boreholes) and work with it, the first thing you need to do is to open the data file. The quickest way to open a file is, with the Project <project name> tab active, right-click the file in the Minex Explorer, and select Open.

Activity: Open THEDON.GM3

In the Minex Explorer, right-click THEDON.GM3, and choose Open.

A red check mark appears beside THEDON.GM3.

Primary and secondary geometry files

After you open a file, a red, blue, or black check mark appears beside the file. If it is a geometry file, you can choose to open it as a primary file (Open command), or as a secondary file (Open as Secondary command).

Icon Description

Red check mark A geometry file that is open as a primary file. You can save changes that you make to a primary file.

Blue check mark A geometry file that is open as a secondary file. It is read-only.

Black check mark An open file that is not a geometry file, for example a parameters file, triangle file, or reserves database.

The ‘primary and secondary file’ feature makes it easier to share data between departments of your organisation without accidentally overwriting data.

For example, surveyors might use one geometry file called survey.gm3 that they open, and use, as a primary file. The surveyors give survey.gm3 to the geologists. The geologists do most of their work in a separate geometry file called geology.gm3, which they open as a primary file. At the same time, the geologists open survey.gm3 as a secondary file, and use it to show read-only data.

Opening, viewing, and saving data Viewing geometry data

42 of 202

Viewing geometry data

You use the Geometry Display dialog box to display, and then view, strings, and points. When you display some data from THEDON.GM3, the storage hierarchy becomes easier to understand.

Activity: Display the topography as contours

1. If THEDON.GM3 is not already open as primary, right-click it, and choose Open.

2. Click Display Geometry on the Plot Modes toolbar.

The Geometry Display dialog appears.

You will use this dialog box frequently when you are working in Minex.

3. In the Data Type cell, select Structure.


43 of 202

To display data, you must select a data type or All Data. When Data Type is set to Select, no data will be displayed in Graphics.

Group, Map, and Ident each display an asterisk (*). Asterisk represents ‘all data’. Therefore, the dialog box is set to show all data of data type Structure regardless of the group, map, or ident to which the data belongs.

4. Click Ok.

You can look at the progress bar to see whether or not the data is still loading.

A large amount of survey data is displayed in Graphics.

Tip: In some circumstances, the view in Graphics does not move to the location of the data you are displaying. When that occurs, you can use the Reset 3D Area command to jump to the extents of

your data.

Next you will use the Geometry Display dialog box again, but this time you will display only contours, rather than all structure strings.

5. Re-access the Geometry Display dialog box.

When you open a dialog box in Minex it often remains open as a process until you manually close the dialog box.

6. In the Geometry Display dialog box, click the Ident button.


44 of 202

7. Press CTRL, and select ICONTOUR and SCONTOUR.

8. Click Ok.

Geometry Display is now set to show all Structure data with an ident of ICONTOUR or SCONTOUR.

Note: To successfully display data, every Map cell must have a value or the asterisk symbol. However you can leave the Group cell blank.

9. Right-click a cell to see the commands you can run on the rows.


45 of 202

Add Row is a useful command when you want to show additional strings in Graphics. For now there is no need to click Add Row.

10. Click Ok.

Graphics now displays only the contours.

11. To change to Point mode, from the Select list, choose Point.

When Minex is in Point mode, you can see the elevation (that is, the Z property) of the points.

12. On the Navigation toolbar, click to view the data from the side rather than from above.

13. Zoom in closer.

If you zoom in close enough, you can clearly see that there are four yellow lines in between each set of two red lines

Opening, viewing, and saving data Clearing Graphics

46 of 202

14. Select a red line and look at the Z property in the Properties pane.

15. View the Z property of some of the yellow lines in the same way.

16. Click on the Navigation toolbar, and then zoom out.

17. In the Geometry Display dialog box, for the SCONTOUR row, select the Exclude check box, and click Ok.

By selecting Exclude, you have hidden the SCONTOUR strings in Graphics. This technique of hiding string data is particularly useful when you have many rows in the Geometry Display dialog box because it allows you to quickly show or hide the types of string you choose.

Note: You can also hide data by using the Object Control Panel, which is described later in this tutorial.

Clearing Graphics

You might find that there is too much data showing in Graphics. The quickest way to hide all data is to use Clear Graphics.

Activity: Clear Graphics

1. If there is no geometry data displayed in Graphics:

a. Right-click THEDON.GM3, and click Open. b. Right-click THEDON.GM3, and click Display.

All the geometry data in THEDON.GM3 is displayed.

Opening, viewing, and saving data Object Control Panel

47 of 202

2. On the Graphics toolbar, click Clear Graphics .

All objects are hidden in Graphics (although the files whose data was displayed remain open). This is useful when you want to start designing again with an empty Graphics window.

Object Control Panel

You can use the Object Control Panel to show or hide specific strings, triangles, grids, or other objects that are displayed in Graphics. The Object Control Panel is useful when you have several files, or strings, open at the same time and you want to see which one is which.

The Object Control Panel is a ‘layer manager’ with the layers of data listed on the left side.

Activity: Use the Object Control Panel to hide some data

First you will display several objects so that there is some data to work with, and then you will hide it.

1. Select String > Geometry Display.


48 of 202

The Geometry Display dialog box appears.

2. Fill in the Geometry Display dialog box as shown, and click Ok.

In particular, make sure that you type 2 in the Layer cell for the second row.


49 of 202

3. In the Minex Explorer, right-click AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5, and choose Display and Open.

The Display and Open command is available for triangle files and grids. The Triangles and Grids sections of this document contain more information about this.

4. Select Windows > Object Control Panel.


50 of 202

Tip: You can also press CTRL+3 to open the Object Control Panel.

5. In the Object Control Panel, right-click AIRPHOTO3PT, and choose Remove from Graphics.

6. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the removal.

Remove from Graphics hides the object. The file is still open, as you can see in the Minex Explorer, but it is hidden, rather than displayed.

Note: To delete a file from your file system, right-click in the Minex Explorer, and choose Delete.

7. In the Minex Explorer, right-click AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5, and choose Display.


51 of 202

8. Click the Runtime tab, and expand the Object Control Panel.

The Runtime tab provides an alternative way to access the Object Control Panel.

9. Right-click Geometry Layer 1, and choose Rename.

10. Rename it to Geometry Layer 1 Fences.

11. Rename Geometry Layer 2 to Geometry Layer 2 Timber.

12. Select Geometry Layer 1 Fences.

13. In the Properties pane, click Visibility, and choose Off.

14. Make the fences visible again.

Tip: Try changing the transparency of an object to 50 instead of turning its visibility off. This technique is useful

for reducing the prominence of an object without completely hiding it.

Opening, viewing, and saving data Multiple Graphics windows

52 of 202

Multiple Graphics windows

You can open more than one Graphics window in Minex to quickly switch between two different views of the data. You can use tabs to switch between the Graphics windows.

Activity: Open a second Graphics window

1. With some data visible in Graphics, select Windows > Graphics Window.

A second Graphics window appears. It displays the same data as the first Graphics window.

2. Right-click in Graphics 2, and choose View X-Z on the context menu.

You can move between Graphics 1 and Graphics 2 to view the data in two different views.

3. Right-click the Graphics 2 tab, and click Close.

Rotating, zooming, and panning

To make Graphics show data from the angle and magnification you need, you can change the view by rotating, zooming, or panning (that is moving the view up, down, left or right).

Activity: Open a file, rotate, zoom, and pan

1. Clear Graphics.

2. In the Minex Explorer, right-click AIRPHOTO3PT.trn, and choose Open.

The .trn file is a texture map file that overlays an image on a triangle file. In this tutorial, you must specify the location of the image file to display the texture map.

Opening, viewing, and saving data Rotating, zooming, and panning

53 of 202

3. If you see the Tif Import dialog box, click beside Image.

4. Browse to Graphic_Files > Image_Files > ASHES_AIRPHOTO.jpg, and click Select.

5. Similarly, click beside Triangle, browse to the location of the triangle file, and click Select.

6. Click Ok in the Tif Import dialog box.


54 of 202

7. Drag in Graphics with the left mouse button (that is, press and hold down the left mouse button and move the mouse).

The image rotates.

8. Drag with the wheel button to pan the image.

9. Rotate the mouse wheel forward to zoom in towards the pointer.

10. Rotate the wheel backwards to zoom out.

11. On the Navigation toolbar, click View Normal to return to a ‘top down’ view of the image.

12. On the Navigation toolbar, click Zoom In .

13. Click the top left corner of the pit, in the centre of the image, and then drag the pointer to the lower right corner of the pit.

A thin yellow box shows the area you will zoom to.


55 of 202

14. Click in Graphics to zoom to the yellow box.

15. Right-click in Graphics and click Zoom to Extents.

16. Using the left mouse button, drag again.

Because there is a lot of detail in the image, it might take a moment to update Graphics with each movement you do. In other words, the rotation might not be as smooth as you would like.

17. Select Graphics > Fast from the main menu.

18. Now drag again in Graphics.

When Fast is selected, rather than Default, rotation is smooth and Minex updates Graphics only when you release the mouse button.

19. Select Graphics > Default.

20. Select Graphics > Advance.

The Advance feature is useful when you want to lock the display in one dimension, and rotate in the other dimensions.

21. Click on the Navigation toolbar.


56 of 202

22. Make sure the pointer is a long way to the left of the image.

23. Drag down to make the image rotate in the X and Y dimensions, but not in the Z dimension.

24. Move the pointer over the image and drag up.

25. If Graphics has a white background, on the Graphics toolbar, click Toggle Black/White.

26. Move the pointer over the image and drag in any direction.

A red circle is displayed around the image for a moment when you make some movements.

When Advance is selected, you can drag within the red circle to rotate the image in three dimensions, or drag outside the red circle to rotate in two dimensions.

27. Select Graphics > Advance again so that Advance is turned off.

28. If you prefer a white background, right-click, and choose Toggle Black/White.

29. Click the up arrow beside the Azimuth field above Graphics several times to rotate the images by one degree at a time.

Opening, viewing, and saving data Saving geometry

57 of 202

30. Increase the Z-Amp in the same way.

Z-Amp amplifies the elevation of the data displayed in Graphics. It is a useful tool for highlighting small changes in elevation.

31. Set Z-Amp to 1.

Saving geometry

When you create or edit a string, or make any other changes or additions to a geometry file, you must save the geometry data file to keep the changes. When you try to exit Minex, and there are unsaved changes in the geometry file, Minex prompts you to save the file.

Activity: Save geometry

1. Clear Graphics.

2. Press CTRL+D to show the Geometry Display dialog box.

3. Display the FENCE and TIMBER idents.

4. In Graphics, select one of the TIMBER strings (and remember which one you selected).

Opening, viewing, and saving data Saving geometry

58 of 202

5. Right-click and choose Properties.

The Properties pane is displayed as a floating window. The Structure Description field is blue so you can change its value.

6. Click in the Structure Description field and type hundred metre wood, and press Enter.

7. In the Line color field, click the green box, and then click the ellipsis button.

The Line color dialog appears.

Opening, viewing, and saving data Saving and getting parameters

59 of 202

8. Select one of the orange colour boxes, and click Ok.

In the Minex Explorer, THEDON.GM3 shows a small disk icon on it to indicate there are changes that you have not yet saved.

9. Right-click THEDON.GM3, and choose Save Geometry File.

10. Close the Properties window, and clear Graphics.

11. Right-click THEDON.GM3, and choose Close.

12. Open THEDON.GM3 again.

13. Display the strings that have a TIMBER ident.

14. Select the string whose description you changed, and view its properties.

You might make other types of change, such as moving a string, adding points to it, or creating a new string. Regardless of what the change is, to commit the change you must save the geometry file.

Saving and getting parameters

In Minex, ‘parameters’ are the text you have typed and selected in a dialog box.

When you use the same dialog box repeatedly with the same, or similar, parameters, you can save time by saving the parameters and retrieving them each time you need to reuse them. This is particularly useful for dialog boxes with a large number of parameters.

If you understand how the parameters are saved, you can distribute them to other computers effectively. Parameters are stored in a file with the .mpf extension, for example you might have a file called Parameters.mpf or ParamsSiteStandards.mpf.


60 of 202

When you have a dialog box open and you save its parameters, the parameters are stored as an item within the parameters file. In the example below, the parameters for six dialog boxes are stored in the parameters file.

If you right-click an item in a parameters file you see Cut, Copy, and Delete commands. You can use these to move parameters between files. When you right-click a parameters file you see the same commands and some additional ones including Rename.

Activity: Create a parameters file

There is more than one way to create a parameters file. These steps show you how to use the New Wizard to create the file.

1. Select File > New.

The New Wizard opens.

Note: You can also use the New Wizard to create new, empty files of several other types, such as

geometry files, borehole databases, calendar files, and equipment files for scheduling.


61 of 202

2. Select the Parameters.mpf template, and click Next.

3. In the Name box, type core1.

4. Click Finish.

To see the new file core1.mpf, in the Minex Explorer, expand the Project_Files folder.

Activity: Save Geometry Display parameters

To save parameters, you need to have a parameters file open. In the previous activity you created a parameters file called core1.mpf.

1. If core1.mpf is not already open, in the Minex Explorer right-click it, and choose Open.

2. Press CTRL+D.


62 of 202

3. Fill in the Geometry Display dialog box as shown, but do not click Ok.

The form is configured to show fences, wooded areas, and contours. So that you do not have to fill in four rows manually again, you will save a parameter.

4. Right-click the Geometry Display tab in the lower left of the dialog box.

5. Click Save Parameters.


63 of 202

6. Type timber as the name of the parameter record, and click OK.

7. In the Minex Explorer, expand core1.mpf to see how Minex has stored the parameter.

Next, to demonstrate how the parameter can save you time, you will clear the Geometry Display dialog box and retrieve the parameter.

8. In the Geometry Display dialog box, right-click in the table, and choose Clear Table.


64 of 202

9. Right-click the Geometry Display tab, and choose Get Parameters > timber.

The dialog is automatically populated with the details that you saved to the timber parameter.

Opening, viewing, and saving data Performing queries

65 of 202

Performing queries

The Query tool is located on the Graphics toolbar. You use the Query tool to answer questions like:

What are the coordinates of a point?

What is the accumulated distance between two or more points?

What is the bearing and slope between two points?

What is the area of a polygon?

The results of queries are shown in the Output window.

To experiment with the Query tool, open and display a geometry file, click the Query tool button and then click several times in Graphics.

Digitising Digitise options

66 of 202

Digitising

You can bring points and strings into Minex by importing survey data (for example, AutoCAD files or ‘XYZ data’). You can also create points directly in Minex using several commands, for example the String > Create command. When you create points and strings in Minex it is called ‘digitizing’.

Digitise options

Imagine that you click to view survey data from above (in the 3D Design tab). When you click to create a point, the X and Y coordinates of the point are those of the location you clicked, but the Z coordinate has not been set.

A ‘digitise option’ is a method that determines how the three coordinates of each new point are calculated. When you are digitizing, the Digitise list shows the available options.

Often it is most efficient to switch between the digitise options while you are creating a string. For example, you might use Snap to Line to create part of a mask, and then XY + Z to complete the mask.

When you use this option…

the new location of the point is…

Snap to Point the nearest existing point in Graphics.

Snap to MidPoint the midpoint of the segment you click.

Snap to Line a location on an existing line (the line that is nearest to where you click).

Snap to Solid the location you click on a triangle file or grid. This is useful for draping a string over topography or over the grid of a seam roof or floor.

XY + Z the location you click. You type the Z value in the Elevation text box. This is useful when most of

the points have the same Z value. You can think of this as the ‘standard’ digitise option.

XY + Grid the location you click on a grid. This is useful when a grid and a triangle are both displayed and you want to drape a string over the grid.

XY + Triangle the location you click on a triangle file.

XY + Grade the location you click with an elevation that increases (from the elevation of the previous point) by the gradient specified in the Grade box.

XY + Plane the location you click with an elevation that is on the plane selected in the Plane box. The Plane

box lists the plans and sections that have been created. Each plan and section is a view of data on a specific plane. Plans and sections are described later in this tutorial.

XY ? Z the location you click. Minex prompts you to enter a Z value when you create each point.

Digitising Editing strings

67 of 202

Editing strings

Regardless of whether you are editing strings that represent an open cut pit, underground mine, geological fault, or features above ground, you edit the strings in the same way.

Activity: Edit the perimeter of a dam

1. Clear Graphics.

2. Press CTRL+D.

3. Set the Geometry Display form to show the DAM and ICONTOUR idents, and click Ok.

4. Zoom in to the dam below the spoil pile.

5. Drag AIRPHOTO3PT.trn from the Minex Explorer to Graphics.


68 of 202

6. If you see the Tif Import dialog box, click beside Image.

7. Browse to Graphic_Files > Image_Files > ASHES_AIRPHOTO.jpg, and click Select.

8. Similarly, click beside Triangle, browse to the location of the triangle file, and click Select.

9. Click Ok in the Tif Import dialog box.


69 of 202

10. Zoom in close to the dam.

The texture registration image is displayed on top of the strings that represent the dam. Although you can select the string, it is easy to make it more visually prominent.

11. Press CTRL+3 to open the Object Control Panel.

12. Select the texture registration file.

Notice that the Priority of the file is 1.

13. Select Geometry Layer 1.

14. Change its Priority to 2, and press TAB to move the cursor out of the Priority field.


70 of 202

Because the string representing the dam has a higher Priority, it is displayed on top of the image.

15. Set the Priority of the Geometry Work Layer to 3.

When you are editing a string it is part of the Geometry Work Layer so it will be helpful to show this layer on top of the image.

Next, you will increase the size of the string so that the perimeter of the dam (in the string) represents the photograph more closely.

16. If Minex is not already in Point mode, right click in Graphics, and choose Go Point mode.

Next you will delete some of the points at the top of the dam.

17. Click the first point to delete in the top left of the dam.

18. Right-click, and choose Delete - Continuous.

19. Press DELETE on the keyboard.


71 of 202

20. Continue pressing DELETE until the boundary of the dam at the top is a straight line.

You might decide that you will probably need another point along the straight line. To make that point you can insert a ‘midpoint’.

21. Select the segment that is the straight line.

22. Select Point > Segment > Insert Mid-Point.

Tip: It is a good idea to save your geometry file periodically. If you lose power, or Minex unexpectedly

exits without saving the geometry file, your changes would be lost.

23. In the Minex Explorer, right-click THEDON.GM3, and choose Save Geometry File.

Next, you will move some points in the top right corner of the dam, and delete other points. You can use the commands on the Point toolbar to move the points.

24. If you are not sure where the Point toolbar is, right-click in an empty area to the right of the toolbar, and click Point twice to turn the toolbar off, and then on again.

25. Select a point you will move, in the top right corner of the dam.


72 of 202

26. Zoom in to the top right corner of the dam.

27. Click Drag Point XY on the Point toolbar.

Minex displays a message asking you to digitize the new position of the point.

Before you digitize the new position, check which Digitise option is in effect.

With the option set to Snap to Point, the point will not be exactly where you click in Graphics. Instead it will move, sideways, that is ‘snap’, to the location of the nearest point.

28. Select the XY + Z Digitise option.

The Elevation of the point remains 676.18, as it was before.

29. Click in the top right corner of the dam.

30. Press CTRL+Z, or choose Edit > Undo Graphics.

Undo provides a quick way of correcting a digitizing mistake.


73 of 202

31. Choose Edit > Redo Graphics.

32. Move the other points similarly so that the boundary of the dam (in the string) approximately matches the photograph.

33. Delete some of the excess points:

34. Select the point.

35. Press DELETE.

So that the string remains a closed polygon (whose area you can calculate), you must make the final point snap to another point.

36. Select one of the points that is at the end of the line.

37. Click Drag Point X-Y on the Point toolbar.

38. Set the Digitise option to Snap to Point.

Digitising Cancelling digitize mode

74 of 202

39. Select the point to snap to.

40. Zoom out so you can see the entire dam.

41. In the Minex Explorer, right-click THEDON.GM3, and choose Save Geometry File.

Cancelling digitize mode

When you see the Digitize message, and you decide you do not want to digitize, press ESC.

In some circumstances, the Message box displays several messages or questions in a sequence. In that situation, continue pressing ESC until all the messages are gone.

Creating strings You can create strings by importing them from survey files such as DXF/DWG files, or XYZ files. You can also create strings manually in Minex.

Activity: Import survey data

As an example, surveyors often need to import survey data into Minex. You can use the commands on the Import submenu of the File menu to import data from DXF/DWG (AutoCAD) files, and from ASCII XYZ files, which might be output from a global positioning system (GPS) device.

1. If any data is displayed in Graphics, clear Graphics.

2. Open THEDON.GM3.

You need to have a geometry file open so that you have a place where you can store the imported survey data.

3. Choose File > Import > Import DXF/DWG.

Digitising Creating strings

75 of 202

4. Beside the File box, click and navigate to THEDON_SURVEY.Dwg.

5. Beside the Map box, click , and select the SURVEY map.

6. Edit the Map box so that the text is SURVEY2.

7. Click Scan File.

The dialog similar to the following image appears.

8. Click Ok.

It might take a few moments to load all the data. The progress bar shows you how the import is progressing.


76 of 202

9. Click Display Geometry on the Plot Modes toolbar.

10. Fill in the dialog box as shown, and click Ok.

If you wanted to keep this data you would save the geometry file. However, because it is the same as the SURVEY data that was already stored in THEDON.GM3 there is no need to do so.


77 of 202

Activity: Create a mask to show an area for exploration

A mask is a type of string that is a closed polygon. You can use a mask to represent a dam, lease boundary, or a rehabilitated area, or to report volumes and tonnages within the mask. In this example, you will create a ‘mask’ that identifies an area for mining exploration.

Note: Minex is measurement-unit independent. You can enter numbers either in metres or in feet, as appropriate

for your organisation. The following example uses metres as the unit of measurement.

1. Clear Graphics.

2. Open THEDON.GM3 if it is not already open.

You will create the mask so that it follows some features of a topography grid. The next step is to show the topography grid.

3. In the Minex Explorer, expand the Grid_Models folder, and then the STRUCTUR.grd folder.

4. Drag the TOPS_AIR.grid into Graphics.

5. Set Z-Amp to 10.

With an exaggerated elevation it will be easier to see current and past creek beds that you will avoid in this area of exploration.


78 of 202

The next step is to create the mask to define the area of exploration. The mask is a string.

6. Press CTRL+D.


8. Press CTRL+3 to open the Object Control Panel.


79 of 202

9. Select Geometry Layer 1, and set its Priority to 3.

By changing the priority you increase the chance that creeks and fences will be displayed on top of the topography grid while you are creating the mask.

10. Zoom in to the area to the right of the large pit and rotate the view slightly.

The area to mark is to the right of the pit. It is approximately the area from the double fence line to the creek beds.

11. Choose String > Create.

12. Select the Masks data type and the Mask string type.


80 of 202

13. In the Map field, type Masks.

14. Click Ok.

The yellow Digitize message indicates that Minex is ready for you to create a string.

Note: If you see the Digitize message at any time when you have finished digitizing, right-click and select Cancel. If Minex is in Digitize mode and you select other commands, you might see unexpected results.

15. Set the Digitise option to XY + Grid.

16. Set the folder name to STRUCTUR, and set the Grid to TOPS_AIR.


81 of 202

17. Click on the second yellow fence line to the right of the pit.

The following message informs you that your view is rotated, and that it has to be perpendicular to the XY plane to continue.

18. Click Yes.

19. Click several times along the fence up towards the top of Graphics, and then click to the right, but not as far as the creek bed.


82 of 202

20. Continue clicking down towards the Output window, following the creek bed but staying to the left of it.


22. Click the first point you created.

It is easy to accidentally click a different point. If that occurs you can ‘step back’ to the previous point.

23. Right-click in Graphics and click Step Back.

24. Zoom in to the selected point.


83 of 202

25. Click the point you first created.

26. Right-click and choose Accept.

27. Close the String – Create dialog box because you do not need to create another string.

28. Zoom out and rotate the view to make it easier to see the mask draped over topography.

Digitising Annotating strings

84 of 202

29. In the Minex Explorer, right-click THEDON.GM3, and click Save Geometry File.

30. Set Z-Amp to 1.

31. Clear Graphics.

Annotating strings

An annotation is text or a symbol that appears beside, and describes, some data in Graphics.

Activity: Display annotations for strings that represent buildings

This activity demonstrates some ways in which you can show annotations for strings and points.

1. Open THEDON.GM3.

2. Press CTRL+D to open the Geometry Display dialog box.



85 of 202

4. Check that Minex is in String mode. If Minex is not in String mode, from the Select list (below 3D Design), select String.

You will use the String > Annotate > Annotate command to show annotations. This command operates on the strings that are selected in Graphics. So next, you must select the data you want to annotate.

5. Select String > Select All Displayed Strings.

You can see that this command selects all the string data displayed in Graphics, not only the data that you could see when the view was zoomed in.

6. Select Graphics > Clear Node Selection.

Now none of the strings are selected.

7. Zoom in to some of the buildings.


86 of 202

8. Press CTRL and select three of the buildings.

9. Select String > Annotate > Annotate.

10. Fill in the Annotate String dialog box as shown, and click Ok.

The distance along each wall is shown in Graphics.


87 of 202

You can also display annotations for a specific point.

Tip: The Direction Arrow is a useful annotation when the order in which the points were created is

important.

11. Right-click in Graphics, and choose Go Point Mode.

12. Select a point in the lower right corner of a building.

13. Select Point > Annotate > Annotate.

14. Fill in the Point Annotate dialog box as shown.

Because the Delete Previous Annotation check box is cleared, the annotation showing the distance between points in the buildings will remain displayed. The map and ident of the point you selected is also displayed.


88 of 202

15. Click Ok.

You can also use the Geometry Display dialog box to show annotations.

16. Clear Graphics.

17. In the Geometry Display dialog box, select the Annotation check box.

18. Click the Annotation Parameters tab.


89 of 202

19. Fill in the Annotation Parameters tab as shown, and click Ok.

Because you selected Z-value, an annotation representing elevation is displayed. Because First Point and Last Point are selected, elevation is displayed for the first and last point in each string. Take a moment to consider how many elevation values you expect to be displayed for each building.


90 of 202

20. Zoom in to one of the clusters of elevation numbers.

A single elevation is displayed for each string. These are closed strings so the first point is also the last point.

21. Press CTRL+3.

22. In the Object Control Panel, select 3D Geometry Annotation, and set its Visibility property to Off.

Triangle files

91 of 202

Triangle files

A typical triangle file is a graphical representation of a surface. Most triangle files are created from survey points. When you display a triangle file in Minex, the points are joined into triangles.

In the Ashes data set, the triangle file AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5 was created from the survey points stored as contours (specifically from the strings that have an ident of SCONTOUR) in THEDON.GM3.

The following image shows a part of AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5 that is within the open pit. The SCONTOURS are also displayed, and one of them is selected so that the points of the SCONTOUR are marked with circles.

Tip: The Triangle > Display command allows you to show triangles as ‘sides’ rather than ‘solids’, as shown in the previous image. The Graphics > Clip Scene command allows you to hide all data outside an area that

you define.

Here is the same data from a side view.

Triangle files Activity: Display a triangle file coloured by elevation

92 of 202

Because there are a lot of survey points on the wall of the pit (that is, the part between the crest and the toe of the bench) the triangle file represents the pit walls reasonably accurately. Conversely, there are fewer points on the berm (that is the relatively flat part of the surface), so the triangle file represents the berm less accurately.

A triangulated file is sometimes called ‘a triangle’ for simplicity.

There are several ways to display a triangle file. You can:

drag it into Graphics

right-click it in the Minex Explorer, and choose Display

use the Triangle > Display menu command

The Triangle > Display method gives you the most control over how the triangle is displayed.

Activity: Display a triangle file coloured by elevation

1. Clear Graphics.

2. Select Triangle > Display.

3. Fill in the Triangle Display dialog box as shown.

4. Click the white box beside Single Color.


93 of 202

5. Select a light blue colour, and click OK.

6. Click Ok in the Triangle Display dialog box.


94 of 202

7. In the Triangle Display dialog box, click the Color Shade option, and click Setup.

8. Click Calculate Range.

The parts of the triangle file that have an elevation of between 601 and 603.155 will be coloured with the 16th colour. In a moment you will see how to find out what the 16th colour is. Triangles between the elevations of 603.156 and 605.311 will be coloured with the 17th colour, and so on.


95 of 202

The triangles with the elevations between 734.688 and 736.843 will be coloured with the 79th colour.

9. Click Ok in the Setup Color Range dialog box.


The lowest elevation is red and the highest elevation is green. When you colour each triangle in this way it takes up more memory so if you zoom in or pan, the movement is less smooth than when you use a single colour, or no colour at all.

11. Select Graphics > Color Map.

You are looking at a ‘palette’ of 256 colours, displayed as 16 rows of 16 boxes. The first colour is the same as the background colour in Graphics. Objects this colour are the same colour as the background, so Minex does not use the first colour in the palette when colouring shapes. As a result, the colour in the second box is designated the first colour (by convention called Pen 1), the


96 of 202

colour in the third box is designated the second colour (by convention called Pen 2), and so on. The Setup Color Range dialog box for the triangle you have just displayed lists the Start Color as number 16. You can see in the palette above that the 16

th colour, shown in the 17

th box, is red.

12. Close the Change Color Map dialog box.

13. Fill in the Triangle Display dialog box as shown, and click Ok.

A contour is displayed at elevation 700 so you can easily identify which part of the triangle is above that elevation.


97 of 202

Next, you will select a colour palette for showing the image.

14. Select Graphics > Import Color Map.

All the palettes that you have available are shown, including the default palette that you have been using.

15. Select Autocad.pal, and click Select.

16. In the Triangle Display dialog box, click Setup.

17. In the Setup Color Range dialog box, click Calculate Range, and click Ok.


Next you will reload the default palette.


98 of 202

19. Select Graphics > Color Map.

The Autocad palette is displayed.

20. Click Reset to load the default palette, and click OK in the confirmation message.

21. Click OK in the Change Color Map dialog box.

Triangle files Activity: Calculate the volume of the pit using triangles

99 of 202

22. In the Triangle Display dialog box, click Ok.

23. In the Triangle Display dialog box, in the Plot Color Mode section, select the Single Color option, and click Ok.

Activity: Calculate the volume of the pit using triangles

You can use triangles to effectively calculate volumes. For example, you can use them to calculate the volume of material removed from a pit during a specific period.

To calculate a volume you will need a triangle file of topography and a triangle file of the pit. The Ashes data set includes the topography file topoNoPit.tr5. You will create the triangle file of the pit.

1. Clear Graphics.

2. Open THEDON.GM3 if it is not already open.

3. Press CTRL+D.


100 of 202

4. Fill in the Geometry Display dialog as shown, and click Ok.

5. In Graphics, zoom in so that you can see the pit clearly.

For the pit triangle you only need to include the area around the pit. One way of achieving this is to create a string to represent the pit boundary, and then compute a triangle, clipping to that boundary.

6. Choose String > Create to create a string around the pit.

This string will represent the pit boundary.


101 of 202

7. Set the String - Create parameters as shown below, and click Ok.


9. Click around the pit to define a polygon that surrounds the pit.

10. Right-click, and choose Accept.

11. Save the geometry file.

12. Choose Triangle > Compute.


102 of 202

13. In the Triangle Compute dialog box, select Clip on boundary, and click Pick.

14. Select the mask string.

15. In the Triangle Compute dialog box, click Ok.


103 of 202

16. Type openPit as the name of the triangle file, and click Save.

17. Clear Graphics.

18. Display topoNoPit.tr5, and openPit.tr5 in Graphics.

These are the two triangle files you will use to calculate the volume. Next, you will calculate the volume.

19. Choose Triangle > Volumes.


104 of 202

20. Fill in the dialog box as shown, and click Ok.

When you increase the Sub Area value you speed up processing time, but reduce accuracy. Minex takes a few moments to calculate the volume.

The results are shown in the Output window.

The report shows that approximately 14 million cubic metres of material (waste and ore) has been removed from the pit.

Note: For a more accurate report that takes longer to produce, you could run the report again with Sub Area set to 100 or less.

The Positive volume is the total volume that is below the topography triangle but above the pit triangle. However, in some locations the pit triangle is above the topography triangle — this is the Negative volume. The Nett volume is the difference between the Positive volume and the Negative volume.

Triangle files Activity: Patch two triangles

105 of 202

Activity: Patch two triangles

You can ‘patch’ two triangulated surfaces to join them together, if the secondary surface is totally within the primary surface. For example, you could patch a pit surface onto a topography surface.

1. Clear Graphics.

2. Drag TOPO.tr5 and PIT_DESIGN89.tr5 into Graphics.

3. Rotate the view so you can see that the pit is within the topography.

4. Select Triangle > Patch and Cut.

5. Fill in the Triangle Patch and Cut form as shown.

The small diagrams beside Primary, Secondary, Patch, and Cut help you decide which surface to choose as the primary and secondary triangle file, and which operation (patch or cut) to use.

Triangle files Activity: Patch two triangles

106 of 202

Note: The patch diagram shows a spoil pile patched to topography, but in this activity you are

patching an open pit to topography.

6. Click Ok.

7. Click OK when the patching process is complete.

8. Clear Graphics.

9. Drag topoPlusPit.tr5 into Graphics.

The single surface of the topography and the open pit is displayed.

Boreholes

107 of 202

Boreholes

A borehole database is a database that stores data from exploration and mining drillhole samples. You can display, analyse, manipulate, and geologically interpret this data in Minex.

The borehole database is displayed in the Minex Explorer as a single .B31 file.

The borehole database consists of five files, but only the B31 file is visible in the Minex Explorer.

File extension Meaning

.B31 The (binary) index file for the database. This file provides quick access to data in the database. It contains collar data for boreholes in the borehole database (survey data of the location and orientation of each borehole).

.B32 The (binary) database. It contains sample data. This file gets larger when you add more downhole data.

.B33 The (binary) seam interval file. This is sometimes called the pick file. It contains interpreted and interpolated seam, or layer, interval data.

.B34 The (binary) borehole header information file.

.B35 The (ASCII) stratigraphic list file that lists seams or layers.

All five files are visible in Windows Explorer.

Split seam interval file

When you open a borehole database that contains a ‘split seam interval file’ you must choose whether or not to open the file.

Boreholes Activity: Open a borehole database and view the stratigraphic sequence

108 of 202

If a seam splits into two separate ‘plies’ in some parts of the deposit, a geologist models this by creating a split seam interval file which is stored in the borehole database. The following diagram shows a seam called A that splits into two plies A1 and A2.

Choose Yes when you see the ‘split seam’ question unless you are performing a seam modelling task and you know you need to work on the unsplit plies.

Seam classes: input, estimated, and interpolated

The seam class of a sample in a borehole indicates the level of confidence that the geologist has that the sample belongs to a particular seam. There are three seam classes: input, estimated, and interpolated.

Seam class Use

input A coal sample exists in the borehole.

A geologist has determined there is proof that the coal sample belongs to a specific seam. The geologist 'correlated' the sample to a seam either in Minex using the Add/Edit Seam Intervals

command, or outside of Minex, and then loaded it into Minex.

estimated A coal sample exists in the borehole.

Because it was unclear to which seam the sample belongs to, the geologist manipulated the data for example using the Ply/Split or Father/Son Bore Seam Modelling processes.

interpolated There is no coal sample in the borehole.

A geologist decided it was likely that a seam existed at a specific location in the borehole but that the seam was later washed out, or became missing for a different reason. To help model the deposit, the geologist used the Missing Seam Interpolation Bore Seam Modelling process in

Minex to model this 'interpolated' seam data.

Activity: Open a borehole database and view the stratigraphic sequence

Before you can display boreholes in Graphics, or run a report on them, you must open the borehole database.

The stratigraphic sequence, or seam sequence, is the order in which the seams occur in the ground. The seam at the end of the sequence is located underneath all the other seams because it was deposited first.

1. In the Minex Explorer, right-click ASHES_BHDB.B31, and choose Open.

Boreholes Activity: Open a borehole database and view the stratigraphic sequence

109 of 202

A black check mark appears beside the borehole database to show that it is open.

2. In the Minex Explorer, expand ASHES_BHDB.B31, and then expand Interval, and Stratigraphic Sequence.

The seam at the top of the sequence is seam SW1. The seam at the bottom of the sequence is seam WGG2.

This does not necessarily mean that the first seam you expect to find in every borehole is SW1. Often the top seams are missing from some boreholes because those seams, and other layers of rock, have been eroded. Geological faulting and folding, and the dip angle of the borehole can also affect the seam sequence that you find in any specific borehole.

Seams usually dip gently or steeply into the ground. They are rarely flat. In the Ashes data set, the seams dip gently as shown in the following image.

Note: A geologist defines the stratigraphic sequence in the seam modelling process (which is beyond

the scope of this tutorial).

Boreholes Activity: Display boreholes

110 of 202

Activity: Display boreholes

In this activity you will display boreholes in the Ashes data set.

Note: Another data set supplied with Minex is called Getting Started. The borehole database in the Getting

Started data set is useful because it includes quality data for ash, sulphur, moisture, and specific energy.

1. If ASHES_BHDB.B31 is not already open, in the Minex Explorer, right-click ASHES_BHDB.B31, and choose Open.

2. Select BoreholeDB > Plot > Borehole Display.

3. Check that the default settings in the Borehole Display dialog box match those shown, and click Ok.

Graphics shows a view of the boreholes from above.


111 of 202

4. If you do not see any dots, select Graphics > Reset 3D Area.

5. Rotate the view slightly, and move the pointer over one of the boreholes.

A ToolTip shows the name of the borehole and the full distance measured down the borehole, that is the length of the borehole.

6. Rotate the view some more, zoom in, and move the pointer over a coloured part of a borehole.

A geologist has determined that the sample from 47.66 units of measurement to 49.60 in borehole BNBG6 is coal of seam DL.

Next you will reduce the number of boreholes in Graphics so you can focus on a specific area.

7. Drag AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5 into Graphics to display it.


112 of 202

8. Select Graphics > Reset 3D Area to zoom out and reset the rotation of the view.

9. Select BoreholeDB > Select Boreholes.

The Select Holes button is useful when you know the names of the boreholes you want to display. The Select Holes section is currently set to show all boreholes.

However, in this activity, you will select all the boreholes in a specific area instead of selecting boreholes by name.

10. Click the Advanced Selection tab.

11. Select the Area Select check box.


113 of 202

12. Click Dig.

13. In the Digitise list, select the XY+Z.

14. Click continuously around the edge of the triangle file to define the approximate area of interest.

15. When you have clicked almost all the way around the triangle file, right-click in Graphics, and choose Accept to close the polygon and finish digitizing.

16. In the Select Boreholes dialog box, click Ok.

Next you will plot boreholes. This time, you will use a button on the BoreholeDB toolbar rather than the menu command.


114 of 202

17. Right-click in the toolbar area and, if BoreholeDB is not already selected, click BoreholeDB.

18. Click Borehole Display on the BoreholeDB toolbar.


115 of 202

19. Leave the settings as they are, and click Ok in the Borehole Display dialog box.

The boreholes outside the polygon are hidden in Graphics.

20. Click on the Navigation toolbar.

Next, to make it more obvious where the seams are, you will show seam names and a (temporary) triangle file of one seam.

21. In the Borehole Display dialog box, select the Seam Name and Seam Triangulation check boxes.

22. In the Seam Triangulation section, set the dialog box to show the LLGB2 seam floor as a solid.

Boreholes Activity: Display interpolated borehole data

116 of 202

23. Click Ok.

24. Zoom in to the LLGB2 seam.


26. Set the Select Boreholes dialog box to show all holes, and click Ok.

Activity: Display interpolated borehole data

The ASHES_BHDB.B31 borehole database does not contain interpolated data. Instead, for this activity, you will use THEDON.B31, which contains some interpolated data.

1. Clear Graphics.

2. In the Minex Explorer, open THEDON.B31.


4. Set the Select Boreholes dialog box so that only the borehole BNBY001 is selected, and click Ok.



117 of 202

6. Set the Borehole Display dialog box to show all seam classes of data, including Interpolated, and click Ok.

The borehole is displayed in Graphics. The dashed black line shows interpolated data.


118 of 202

7. Zoom in to the top of the borehole and move the pointer over one of the seams.

8. Zoom to the lowest part of the borehole and move the pointer over the final seam.

Boreholes Activity: Reporting on the borehole data

119 of 202

9. In the Borehole Display dialog box, clear the Interpolated check box, and click Ok.

Activity: Reporting on the borehole data Minex includes several reports relating to borehole data. This tutorial shows you two of them. You can safely experiment with all the reports because you cannot change the data by running a report.

Boreholes Activity: Reporting on the borehole data

120 of 202

1. Right-click ASHES_BHDB.B31 in the Minex Explorer, and select Open.

2. Right-click ASHES_BHDB.B31 in the Minex Explorer, and select Reporting > Report Collars.

This report shows the location of the borehole collars, that is where the borehole penetrates the surface, the depth of each borehole, its azimuth, and its dip.

3. Right-click in the Output window, and choose Clear Output.

4. Select BoreholeDB > Reporting > Report Borehole Intervals.

This report shows which seams occur within each borehole.

Grids

121 of 202

Grids

Minex uses grids to model ore bodies. There are two types of grids:

Geological grids: a geological grid represents a geological contact, such as a seam floor or roof

Quality grids: a quality grid represents geological quality such as ash or sulphur or any other variable that changes over the X,Y plane

When you display and open a geological grid, it appears as a sheet. For example, the following image shows a topographical grid with three grids for the floors of specific seams beneath it.

You can display a grid as a solid, as lines, or as contours. When you display a grid as lines, and you look closely at the grid, it consists of a series of squares. The Z attribute (which represents elevation in the example below) is stored at the centre of each square of the mesh. This centre point is often called the grid node, or centroid.

Grids Grid folders

122 of 202

Grid folders

In the Ashes data set, you can see three folders that store grids: BLAST.grd, MODEL.grd, and STRUCTUR.grd. Each grid folder has a file extension of .grd.

To be able to display and use a grid, you must store each grid in a grid folder.

Folder Description

BLAST.grd Used for drill and blast. You do not need to use this folder in the Core tutorial.

STRUCTUR.grd Contains grids that show the deposit as the geologist believes it was before the effects of erosion and weathering. Therefore, some of the grids extend into the weathering and topography layers and beyond into the atmosphere above topography.

MODEL.grd Contains the Structure grids ‘cut’ on the topography or weathering layer. Therefore these grids represent the deposit more accurately than the Structure grids. These grids are useful for reserves reporting. A geologist creates the model grids from the structure grids during the modelling process.

You can also see a list of the existing grid folders on the Runtime tab under DD Names. DD means data directory.

Tip: To create a new grid folder, right-click DD Names, and choose Add New DD Directory.

Grids Grid files

123 of 202

Grid files

Each grid file has the extension .grid. One grid folder can contain multiple grids. Each grid represents an attribute like thickness, or the floor or roof for a specific seam.

Naming conventions for grids

Grids are commonly named using the format <seam name><suffix>. The most common suffixes are:

Suffix Description

SF Seam floor

SR Seam roof

ST Thickness

IB Interburden

OB Overburden

AS Ash

RD Relative density

MO Moisture

SE Specific energy

Using this convention, the grid for the seam floor of seam F would be named FSF. In the Ashes data set, the grid for the seam roof of seam LDBS is LDBSSR. For another example, the seam thickness grid for seam LDB is named LDBST.

Grids Activity: display a grid of a seam floor

124 of 202

Activity: display a grid of a seam floor

1. Clear Graphics.

2. In the Minex Explorer, under Grid_Models > MODEL.grd, right-click ABSF.grid, and choose Display.

The seam floor of seam AB is displayed.

3. View the grid from the side.

4. Drag AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5 into Graphics.

Alternatively, you can use the Grid > Display command to show a grid.

5. Clear Graphics.

6. Select Grid > Display.

7. Fill in the Grid Display dialog box as shown.


125 of 202

When Plot Style is set to Lines, the grid is displayed as a mesh.

8. Click Ok.

Sometimes you can gain a better understanding of the deposit by showing grids and boreholes at the same time.


126 of 202

9. Display the model grid for the seam floor of seam UDBS as a solid.


11. Fill in the Borehole Display dialog box as shown.

12. Click Ok.

Grids Activity: Create a topographic grid using borehole collars

127 of 202

13. Zoom in, and rotate the view.

Activity: Create a topographic grid using borehole collars

This activity shows one way of creating topographical grids. It also introduces you to the Grid – Compute command.

1. Clear Graphics.

2. Select the 3D Design tab if it is not already active.

3. Open the borehole database ASHES_BHDB.B31.

4. Open the geometry file ASHES.GM3.

5. Plot 3D boreholes:

a. Right-click ASHES_BHDB.B31. b. In the shortcut menu, select Plot, and then Plot 3D Boreholes.


128 of 202

c. Enter the parameters as shown, and click Ok.

Next you will compute a grid from the borehole collars.


129 of 202

6. Choose Grid > Compute.

The X and Y origin and extent are particularly important parameters because they define the size of the grid in the X and Y axes.

7. Click Dig.


130 of 202

8. Click in the lower left corner of Graphics, and then click in the upper right corner so that the box you create includes all the boreholes.

9. In the Grid – Compute dialog box, click Update.

10. Click Ok.

11. In the Grid Compute Data Selection dialog box, clear the Use Geometry check box.

12. Select the Use boreholes and Borehole Collars check boxes.

Note: If you wanted to create a grid from a geometry file (rather than from borehole collars), you would select the Use Geometry box.

13. Click Ok.


131 of 202

14. When you see the prompt to proceed with gridding, click Yes.

15. When you see the prompt to save the grid, click Yes.

16. Save the grid as NEW-TOPS, and type a suitable description.

17. Clear Graphics.

18. Plot the boreholes again.

19. Display the NEW-TOPS.grid:

a. From the Grid menu, select Display. b. Select the NEW-TOPS.grid. c. Select the options to display it as a solid in a colour of your choice, for example blue.

Grids Activity: Create a weathering grid

132 of 202

d. Click Ok.

20. View the data from the side.

Activity: Create a weathering grid

In this activity you will create a basic weathering grid by ‘scaling’ the topography.

1. Clear Graphics.

2. Choose Grid > Manipulate.

3. Select the TOPS grid from the MODEL folder.

4. On the Scale tab, type an Add Constant value of -10.

The premise is that the weathering grid is 10 units of measurement below the topography.

Grids Activity: Create a weathering grid

133 of 202

5. Click Ok.

6. Click Yes when you see the message to save the grid.

7. Save the grid as WSF_NEW and enter a description.

8. Click Ok.

9. Click Cancel to close the Grid – Manipulate dialog box.

10. Display the TOPS grid and the WSF_NEW grid.

11. Rotate the display so you can see a part of both grids at the same time.

Grids Activity: Create an interburden grid using grid arithmetic

134 of 202

Grid Arithmetic

Grid Arithmetic is a versatile function that you can use to create new grids.

Each centroid in the new grid retains the X and Y values from the primary grid. The Z value is the result of the arithmetic function that you select.

You can use the Grid Arithmetic command to do several tasks including:

merge two grids to create a new grid whose elevation at each point is the highest elevation of the two input grids

fill in holes in a grid with values from another grid

create interburden grids

Activity: Create an interburden grid using grid arithmetic

1. Clear Graphics.

2. In the Minex Explorer, right-click THEDON.B31, and choose Open.

3. Look at the stratigraphic sequence in the borehole database.


135 of 202

Notice that LDB is the seam directly above seam WGG1 in the sequence.

4. Select Grid > Arithmetic.

5. Fill in the Grid Arithmetic dialog box as shown, and click Ok.

6. Click Yes to save the new grid.


136 of 202

7. In the Grid box, type WGG1IB to show that this is the interburden grid for seam WGG1, and type a suitable description.

8. Click Ok.


10. Fill in the Grid Display dialog box as shown, and click Ok.


137 of 202

11. In the Minex Explorer, right-click the WGG1IB grid, and choose Report.

The statistics in this report show the Z value, which is the thickness of the interburden.

Tip: For additional statistics about the grid, right-click the grid, and choose Statistics.

Graphics displays a grid that appears flat.


138 of 202

The Z value of each centroid is the thickness of the interburden. The highest thickness value in the grid is approximately 36.

12. Right-click in the Output window, and choose Clear Output.

13. Click on the Graphics toolbar.

14. If you see a message prompting you to “go normal to the XY plane”, click Yes.

15. Make sure the Digitise option is set to XY + Grid, and that the adjacent Grid box is set to WGG1IB.

When you click in Graphics, the Query tool will report the Z value of the grid.

16. Click in several different places on the grid, and notice the Z value reported in the Output window.


139 of 202

Tip: Alternatively, you can see which areas are thickest by using the Z-Amp feature.

17. Press ESC to finish using the Query tool.

Finally you will show the interburden grid as contours.

18. Fill in the Grid Display dialog box as shown.

19. Click Contour Params.

20. Fill in the Setup Contour Parameters dialog box as shown, and click Ok.


140 of 202

21. Click Ok in the Grid Display dialog box.

Grids Activity: Calculate weighted average strip ratio for the deposit

141 of 202

Strip ratio

One definition of strip ratio for a coal deposit is the ratio of the volume of waste you have to remove compared to the tonnage of coal you will recover.

volume of waste : tonnage of coal

An alternative definition of strip ratio is the volume of waste to the volume of coal.

volume of waste : volume of coal

The InSitu Reserves Report in Minex shows strip ratio as volume of waste : tonnage of coal.

The lower the strip ratio, the more economical it is to mine a deposit. Sometimes you have a target strip ratio, for example, 10:1, below which you know the deposit is economically viable as an open-pit mine.

If you know the average density of the coal, you can convert the tonnage of coal to volume and so work out the strip ratio using the second definition.

Activity: Calculate weighted average strip ratio for the deposit

1. Open THEDON.B31.

2. Select SeamModel > Insitu Resource Reporting.

3. Fill in the dialog box as shown, and click Create List to add seam SW1 to the seam list.


142 of 202

By filling in the dialog box in this way, you have set Minex to:

calculate the strip ratio for stripping the waste above seam SW1 and the coal in seam SW1

search for a grid SW1ST, in the MODEL folder, to determine how thick seam SW1 is at each centroid

search for a grid SW1RD to determine what the density of coal is at each centroid in the grid

If there is no SW1RD grid, the report will use a density of 1.4 throughout the seam.

4. Click the Limits tab.

5. Fill in the dialog box as shown.

Because the Use Limiting Polygon check box is cleared, the report will show the strip ratio to extract the entire seam SW1 to the extents of the grid of the SW1 seam floor, even in the places where SW1 is deeply buried.

Tip: You can use a limiting polygon to exclude an area you know will not be economical to mine.

6. Click Ok.


143 of 202

The Output window displays the strip ratio. The following image shows the report when Minex is set to use metric units of measurement. The strip ratio is 15.7, which is the volume of waste divided by the tonnage of coal.

The following image shows the report when Minex is set to use imperial units of measurement. The strip ratio is 18.6.

7. In the Seam Insitu Resources Report dialog box, click the Seam & Quality Definition tab.


144 of 202

8. Set the report to include all seams to WGG2 (the lowest seam in the stratigraphic sequence), and click Create List.

9. Click the Limits tab, and set the Lower Limit grid to WGG2SF.


145 of 202

10. Click Ok.

The accumulated strip ratio for the entire deposit down to seam WGG2 is 8.7. This is a weighted average strip ratio for the deposit.

Tip: To see the detail of where the strip ratio is high and where it is low, you can make a strip ratio grid. To do so, select Seam Model > Seam Model Operations, and run the Strip Ratio operation.

Plan and section mounts Drafting tab

147 of 202

Plan and section mounts

In Minex, a mount is a ‘corridor’ in space that you can use to display data. In some generalised mining packages the same concept is called a plane. The two types of mount are:

Mount type Typically used for

Plan Views of data from above

Section Vertical sections

The following information is stored with the mount:

the sheet size for which the plan or section is designed

the geographical extents of the plane

the scale

the rotation of the plane

Each mount is stored in a geometry file.

Note: You can display strings, boreholes, grids, triangles, and other file types in a mount, but the data is not

stored within the mount. Instead, you can save this data to an archive file and import the archive file to redisplay it.

Drafting tab

When you work with a plan or section, you work with your data in two dimensions, and the Drafting tab, instead of the 3D Design tab, becomes active.

The Drafting tab has a Graphics window that is separate from the 3D Design Graphics window. It always shows a two-dimensional view of the data, and you cannot rotate the view.

Plan and section mounts Mounts Control Panel

148 of 202

Mounts Control Panel

The Mounts Control Panel shows a list of the plan mounts and section mounts in your project. You open it when you want to select a plan or section mount to work on.

The red check mark indicates the mount that you are currently drafting on.

To show the Mounts Control Panel, select Mounts > Mounts Control Panel or press CTRL+4.

Tip: You can also view the Mounts Control Panel on the Runtime tab of the Minex Explorer.

Sections

Activity: Create a section showing a cross-section of seams

This activity shows you how to create a cross-section in Minex.

1. Open THEDON.GM3.

2. Clear Graphics.

Next you will open a topography grid to give you some visual reference points when you create the section line.


Plan and section mounts Activity: Create a section showing a cross-section of seams

149 of 202

4. Fill in the Grid Display dialog box as shown, and click Ok.


150 of 202

5. Choose Mounts > Section > Create.

6. Leave the A1 sheet size selected.

The sheet size is important if you print the cross-section.

7. Type 300 in the Lower Z text box.

This is the lower limit of elevation of the cross-section.

8. Zoom in to the pit in the lower right corner of the grid.

9. Click the Digitize button in the Section - Create dialog box.


151 of 202

10. In Graphics, click the left side of the pit, and then the right side of the pit, to create the section line.

11. In Graphics, right-click and click Accept to indicate that you have finished defining the section line.

12. In the Section – Create dialog box, click Apply to see the section limits in Graphics.

13. Rotate the view so you can see the section limits better.

14. Click Ok in the Section – Create dialog box.

The Mount Save dialog box prompts you to enter a name for the mount.

15. Type a name, and click Ok.


152 of 202

This example uses a name in the format pit<sheet size><scale>. You can use a naming convention of your choice. However, you must use eight characters or less for the name.

You have now created the mount.

16. Save the geometry file to save the section mount.

a. Right-click THEDON.GM3 in the Minex Explorer. b. Click Save Geometry File.

Note: By saving the geometry file, you save the section mount, but you do not save the section. You

can save the section by archiving it, or by doing a graphics capture. Both methods are described later in this activity.

17. Click Cancel in the Section – Create dialog box.

Notice that the 3D Design tab is currently active. To plot a section you must work on the Drafting tab. This will happen when you use the Draft on Mount command.

18. On the Runtime tab of the Minex Explorer, expand the Mounts Control Panel.

19. Expand the Sections item, right-click the section mount, and click Draft on Mount.

The Drafting tab becomes active, and Graphics is ready for drafting.

In some situations you might want to see a coordinate grid on top of the section. You can do this by selecting Mounts > Section > Coordinate Grid. However, you can save time by using the buttons on the Section toolbar.


153 of 202

20. Right-click in the empty area beside the toolbars that are currently displayed, and click Section, in the list of toolbars, so that a check mark appears to the left of it.

The Section toolbar appears beside or underneath the other toolbars.

21. To show a coordinate grid, click Section - Coordinate Grid .


154 of 202

22. Fill in the Section – Coordinate Grid dialog box as shown, and click Ok.

If you decide you want different grid intervals later, you can change the intervals in the Section – Coordinate Grid dialog box.

Next you will show the topography and the seams in cross-section.

23. On the Section toolbar, click Grid Cross - Section .


155 of 202

24. Select the TOPS grid from the Model folder, and click Ok.

It might be useful to compare the TOPS grid with a triangle file of the topography that was created at a different time.

25. On the Section toolbar, click Triangle Cross-Section .

a. Click the ellipsis button for the first row and open AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5. b. Change the colour to blue.


156 of 202

c. Click Ok to show the triangle, as well as the grid, in cross section.

Next show the seams from the borehole. You use the Seam Cross Section button to do so. If this button is unavailable the borehole database is closed. You must open the borehole database if you want to show the seams.

26. Open THEDON.B31 in the Minex Explorer.

27. On the Section toolbar, click Seam Cross-Section .

28. On the Seams tab, select the Model DD Name, and click Load Seams.

It will be useful to show a legend that identifies the name of each seam.


157 of 202

29. Click the Legend tab.

30. Select Plot Seam X Section Legend.

31. Click Ok, and then click Cancel.

Plan and section mounts Activity: Create some offset sections

158 of 202

Activity: Create some offset sections

An offset section is a section that is parallel to an existing section. Offset sections allow you to see the data in a sequence of ‘slices’.

1. Press CTRL+4 to open the Mounts Control Panel.

2. Right-click the pitA12K section, and choose Edit Mount.

3. Select Offset Sections in the lower part of the Section - Create dialog box, and type 2 in the Number of Offsets box.


159 of 202

4. Click Ok.

The Mount Save dialog box appears.

5. Type sj in the Name box, and click Ok.

Three new section mounts are created: sj1, sj2, and sj3.

Three new Graphics tabs are also displayed, one for each new section.

6. Click Seam Cross-Section on the Section toolbar.

7. Display a seam cross-section.


160 of 202

8. Right-click the sj1 mount, and choose Make Current.

9. Click Seam Cross-Section on the Section toolbar.

10. Display a seam cross-section.

11. Click the Graphics 3 tab.

The seam-cross section for the sj1 mount is displayed on the Graphics 3 tab. The sj2 mount is associated with the Graphics 4 tab, which does not yet show any seams or other data. The sj3 mount is associated with the Graphics 5 tab. It does show the seams that are in the sj3 section.

It might help you understand where these sections are by looking at them from above.

12. Click the 3D Design tab.


161 of 202

13. Drag AIRPHOTO3PT.tr5 into Graphics.

14. In the Mount Control Panel, right-click sj1, and choose Display Frame.

15. Right-click sj2, and click Display Frame.

16. Right-click sj3, and click Display Frame.

17. Zoom in.

18. Click the Drafting tab.

19. Right-click the Graphics 5 tab, and choose Close.

20. Close all Graphics tabs except Graphics 1.

Plan and section mounts Activity: Create a plan showing contours for topography

162 of 202

Plans

Activity: Create a plan showing contours for topography

You can create a plan that uses colour to show different elevations. This is called a shade contour plan. It provides a quick overall impression of the relative levels of the topography in any area. The line contours help when you need to know the levels more precisely. You can use both methods in the same plan.

1. Clear Graphics, and close all open dialogs.

2. Click the 3D Design tab to make it active.

3. Open THEDON.GM3.

4. Display all the data of data type Structure to plot all the structure geometry data.

Begin by creating a plan mount.

5. Choose Mounts > Plan > Create.

a. Click Dig.

b. Click in the lower left corner of the geometry and then click in the upper right corner. c. Enter a scale such as 10000.

6. Click Apply to see, in Graphics, where the limits of the plan will be.

Later, you might decide to change these parameters slightly. Therefore it might be a good idea to save the parameters now.

7. Open the parameters file core1.mpf.

8. Right-click the Plan – Create tab, and click Save Parameters.

9. Save the parameter as Plan1.

10. Click Ok in the Plan – Create dialog box.

11. Save the plan mount with a name that indicates its sheet size and scale such as Pit10KA1.

12. Choose Mounts > Mounts Control Panel.


163 of 202

13. Right-click the plan and click Draft on Mount.

14. Right-click beside the toolbars, and select Plan so that a check mark appears beside it.

The Plan toolbar appears.

15. Click Plan – Coordinate Grid .

16. Enter X and Y grid intervals of 1000, and click Ok.


164 of 202

Next, you will show shade contours to represent topography.

17. Choose Mounts > Plan > Shade Contour – Grid.

18. Enter the information as shown, and click the Calculate Range button.

19. Click Ok.

The shade contours appear similar to the following in Graphics.

The lowest elevations are displayed in red. The highest elevations are displayed in blue.


165 of 202

20. Choose Mounts > Plan > Line Contour - Grid.

21. Configure the Line Contour parameters as shown below, and click Ok.

22. In Graphics, zoom in to see the annotations on the contours.

23. Save THEDON.GM3 to save the mount.

Next, you will save the plan.

24. From the Graphics menu, select Graphics Capture.

25. Select cgm as the file type and enter a file name such as toposhades.

26. In the Minex Explorer, expand Graphics_Files, then CGM_Files.

27. Right-click toposhades.cgm, and choose Preview.

Plan and section mounts Activity: Archiving a section or plan

166 of 202

Archiving

To save a plan or section, you save the geometry file. However, this does not save the data within the plan or section. To save the data within a plan or section, you can use the Archive All command.

Activity: Archiving a section or plan

When you want to keep a copy of the data for later editing or adjustment, you can archive it and then import it when you need it again.

If Graphics does not already show the seam cross-section, display the seam cross section as described in Activity: Create a section showing a cross-section of seams.

1. Select Graphics > Archive All.

2. Type a file name in the Save Archive As dialog box as shown.


167 of 202

3. Click Save.

The archive file is stored in the Minex Explorer under Graphics_Files > Archive_Files.

4. Clear Graphics.

Before you can import an archive of a section or a plan, the Drafting tab must be active and you must be drafting on a mount, that is a mount must be ‘current’. You have met both of these conditions already.

5. Select File > Import > Import Archive.

6. Select the archive file that you saved, and click Select.


168 of 202

The seams are displayed in Graphics again.

You can create a permanent copy of the section for later viewing or printing by using the Graphics Capture command.

7. Select Graphics > Graphics Capture.

8. In the Graphics Capture dialog box:

a. Select a file type for the saved file, for example Tagged Image Format (*.tif). b. Type a file name, for example seamXsection. c. Remember the location where the file will be saved, that is the folder shown in the Save in

box. d. Click Save.

e. If you see a message that Minex might take a long time to process the data, click OK.

Plan and section mounts Activity: Display a title block

169 of 202

After the image is created, it is listed in the Minex Explorer.

Title blocks

Activity: Display a title block

To do this activity the Drafting tab must be active, and you must be drafting on a mount. This activity is written with the assumption that you already have a mount. If you do not have a mount, you can create one by doing Activity: Create a section showing a cross-section of seams.

1. Click the Drafting tab.

2. In the Mount Control Panel, right-click the mount you want to work with, and choose Make Current.

3. Then, right click the mount again, and choose Draft on Mount.

4. Display a seam cross-section with a legend.


170 of 202

5. In the Minex Explorer, open TITLEBLOCKS.GM3 as a secondary file.

6. Choose Mounts > Plot Title Block.

7. In the Tile Block Plot dialog box:

a. Click beside Variable File, browse to TITLE1.var, and then click Select.

Each row in the variable file holds the name of a variable and its value. You can open a variable file in a text editor.

b. Click Select beside Title Block, browse to TITLE1, and click OK.

TITLE1 is the name of a map of data type Title Block, in the geometry file TITLEBLOCKS.GM3.

c. Click Load in the Title Block Plot dialog box. d. Click Yes at the ‘overwrite variables’ question.

e. Edit the Value cells so that the variables hold the information you want to see in the title block.


171 of 202

Tip: If you think you will reuse the same title block information several times, click Save to save the title

block variable file.

f. Clear the Clip underlying data check box. g. Click Ok.

The title block appears below the section.

8. Zoom in so that you can see all of the cross-section, and then use the Graphics Capture command to save the cross-section as seamxsection2.cgm.

Note: CGM is a file format for vector images that has a good capacity to retain its scale and level of

detail.

9. In the Minex Explorer, right-click Graphics_Files > CGM_Files > seamxsection2.cgm, and click Preview.

Plan and section mounts Activity: Create a new title block

172 of 202

10. In the ECSPreviewer, click the Rendering menu, and select Negative to make the background white.

If you intend to print the seam cross-section, you will save ink if you have a white background.

Activity: Create a new title block

This activity shows you how you can save an existing title block with a different name and make some changes to it.

1. Clear Graphics.

2. Close all geometry files.

3. In Windows Explorer, browse to the titleblocks folder.

The location of the titleblocks folder depends on your operating system and the version of Minex.

Operating system Location of titleblocks


C:\Users\Public\Gemcom\Minex\<version>\shared\etc\titleblocks

Windows XP C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Gemcom\Minex\<version>\shared\etc\titleblocks

This folder contains several geometry files. Each file contains geometry that is useful in title blocks. One of the geometry files is 2DSYMBOLS.GM3.

4. Copy 2DSYMBOLS.GM3 and paste it into the Geometry_Files subfolder of your project folder (which is C:\Users\Public\Gemcom\Minex\<version>\shared\tutorialData\Datasets\Ashes\ Geometry_Files if your operating system is Windows 7 or Windows 8).

5. Open TITLEBLOCKS.GM3 as the primary geometry file.

6. Right-click 2DSYMBOLS.GM3, and choose Open as Secondary.

Take a moment to think about why it is useful to open TITLEBLOCKS.GM3 as the primary file.

7. Open the Mounts Control Panel, and expand the Plans folder.

The list shows all the plan mounts in 2DSYMBOLS.GM3 and TITLEBLOCKS.GM3. Most of the plan mounts are stored in 2DSYMBOLS.GM3.

8. Right-click A0_L, and choose Make Current.

9. Right-click A0_L, and choose Display Frame.

10. Right-click A0_L, and choose Draft on Mount.


173 of 202

The Drafting tab becomes active, and a border is displayed around the plan.

11. Press CTRL+D.



174 of 202

13. Zoom in to the title block.

This title block is slightly different from the TITLE1 title block. TITLEBLOCKS.GM3 contains four different title blocks.

In this activity, you will create a new title block from TITLE4, and call it TITLE5. Then you will modify TITLE5. Because you opened TITLEBLOCKS.GM3 as the primary geometry file, rather than the secondary file, you can save TITLE5 there and keep all the title blocks in the same file.

14. Select String > Select All Displayed Strings.

15. Right-click in Graphics, and choose Copy.


175 of 202

16. Edit the properties so that the Map and Ident values are both TITLE5.

All the new strings that you created by using Copy now have these Map and Ident values.

17. Clear Graphics.



176 of 202

Because you excluded TITLE4, only TITLE5 is displayed.

19. Show TITLE4, and exclude TITLE5.

Graphics displays TITLE4, which is the same as TITLE5.

20. In the Geometry Display dialog box, right-click the TITLE4 row, and choose Delete Row.


177 of 202

21. Clear the Exclude check box, and click Ok.

With TITLE4 removed, you know that you are now working with TITLE5.

Next, you will replace the Gemcom logo in the title block with a different logo.

22. Select the logo in Graphics.

23. Press DELETE.

24. Save TITLEBLOCKS.GM3.

Before you add the new logo, you will display some of the symbols that you can use as logos.


178 of 202


Graphics displays symbols of mining equipment, and logos of various companies.

All the symbols in map 2DSYM_2 are stored in 2DSYMBOLS.GM3. Because you opened 2DSYMBOLS.GM3 (as a secondary geometry file), you can use these symbols.

Next you will add a new logo. In this tutorial you will use one of the symbols of mining equipment as the logo. In reality you would use one of the existing company logos in 2DSYMBOLS.GM3, or in a different geometry file, or contact Gemcom support.


179 of 202


27. Select String > Create Title Data.

The Create Title Data command is useful when you want to add a line, text, symbol, logo, or other object to a title block.

Note: Before you create title data, you must always remember to open the geometry file where you want to save the title data. In this tutorial, you already have TITLEBLOCKS.GM3 open which is a suitable geometry file.


180 of 202

28. Fill in the Create Title Data dialog box as shown.

By selecting data type Symbol, and symbol DRAGP, you instruct Minex to make a copy of the DRAGP symbol for you to save in the group, map, ident, and class of your choice.

29. Click Ok.

30. Fill in the Title Block Create dialog box as shown, and click Ok.

The new symbol you are creating is part of title block TITLE5 so it is appropriate to classify it with the same Map value and Ident value as the other data in title block TITLE5.

The Message box prompts you to digitize the location of the symbol.


181 of 202

31. Click in the box where the Gemcom symbol used to be, and then click the right side of the box.

32. Select the dragline symbol, right-click it, and choose Move > Drag.

33. Click slightly above it and to the right.

Tip: If you move it too much, press CTRL+Z to undo the move.

34. Save the geometry file.

Next, you will add another two rows to the title block to hold the name of the mine manager and a box for a signature.

35. Select the lowest line of the title block.


182 of 202

36. Right-click in Graphics, and choose Move > XYZ Offset.

37. Fill in the String – Offset XYZ dialog box as shown.

Because the Replace check box is selected, you are moving rather than copying the line.

The vertical distance between the boxes is 0.4. Because you are shifting the line by 0.8 you will create space for two more rows.

38. Click Ok.



Note: Make sure you set the Colour box to white.


183 of 202

41. Click Ok.

42. Fill in the String Name dialog box as shown, and click Ok.


44. Click the point on the lower right of the line at the right edge of the title block, and then click directly below it on the horizontal line.

45. Right-click in Graphics, and choose Accept.


184 of 202

If the new line is not as thick as the lines it joins, you can change its properties.

46. Select the line.

47. In the Properties pane, click in the Line Weight field, type 2, and press TAB.

48. Join the left edge of the title block in the same way.


185 of 202

49. Join the middle line of the title block to the horizontal line in the same way except select the Snap to Line Digitise option before you select the horizontal line.

50. If the line is not precisely straight, press CTRL+Z, and then recreate the line.

Tip: Alternatively, you can ensure that the line is straight by using the Convergence tool that is to the right of the Digitise option. Convergence is one of the coordinate geometry (COGO) tools. It is

very useful when you need to create geometry very precisely.

51. Select the lowest of the thin horizontal lines on the left.

52. Right-click, and choose Move > ZYX Offset.

53. Fill in the String – Offset XYZ dialog box as shown.


186 of 202

Because the Replace check box is cleared, you will create a copy of the line.

54. Click Ok.

55. Fill in the String Name dialog box, and click Ok.

56. In the same way, make another thin line 0.4 units of measurement below the last one.

57. Create a new line so that the thin vertical on the left is extended.


The next step is to add some text labels to the two new boxes on the left.



187 of 202


61. Click Ok.

62. Fill in the String Name dialog box as shown, and click Ok.

63. Click in the top left corner, and the lower right corner, of the first empty box.


188 of 202

64. Similarly, create a text label in the lower box that shows the text Signature:.

Next, you will place some text variables in the boxes on the right. You use variables so that the person who creates the plan, or section, can specify values when the plot is created.

65. Fill in the Create Title Data dialog box as shown, and click Ok.

When you use the dollar symbol $ and the parentheses (), you instruct Minex that the text inside the parentheses is a variable. The optional } symbol instructs Minex that the variable is left-aligned.

66. Click Ok in the String Name dialog box.

67. Digitize the box text.


Spooling to a printer

To print a plan or cross-section to a printer or to a plotter, your system administrator (or you) must first define the printer or plotter in a file named ECS_CGM_PLOTTER.SPL. After you have modified the file once, you do not need to do it again.

Plan and section mounts Setting up Minex to spool CGM files to a printer

189 of 202

Different users have different models of printer and plotter, so the following procedure is general rather than specific.

Setting up Minex to spool CGM files to a printer

The following procedure describes how to spool to a printer rather than a plotter, however the same principles apply. More detailed information is available in Appendix D: The ECS_CGM_PLOTTER.SPL file.

1. Choose Graphics > Archive All to save the data in your plan or section.

This enables you to retrieve the data later if you need to make changes.

2. Choose Graphics > Graphics Capture to save the data as a CGM file.

CGM is a format that is suitable for printing without losing detail.

3. If your operating system is Windows 7 or Windows 8, turn on the LPR Port Monitor service in Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off > Print and Document Services.

4. In Windows Explorer, browse to C:\Users\Public\Gemcom\Minex\<version>\shared\etc, and copy the ECS_CGM_PLOTTER.SPL.MINEX file to a new file ECS_CGM_PLOTTER.SPL.

ECS_CGM_PLOTTER.SPL.MINEX is a backup file you can use to make another copy if you need one.

5. Paste the new ECS_CGM_PLOTTER.SPL into your project folder.

6. Open ECS_CGM_PLOTTER.SPL.MINEX in a text editor.

Each line of text defines a printer or plotter. Appendix D: The ECS_CGM_PLOTTER.SPL file has more information about the meaning of each line of text.

7. Copy a suitable line of text to a new line at the end of the file.

For example, to print on A4 paper to a printer, the following line of text might be suitable.

slp(Portrait)A4 "postscript2" echidna:slp 29.7 21 cl.pl

RAST.PEN_DEF Margins 0.2 0.2 1.0 1.0

8. Edit the new line of text so it is correct.

In particular, make sure you:

replace echidna with the IP address or name of your printer

replace postscript 2 with a printer language that your printer supports.

replace slp with the name of the printer queue. (Type raw if you are unsure.)

9. Save ECS_CGM_PLOTTER.SPL.

10. In Minex, select File > Spool CGM to Printer.

11. Browse to the CGM file, and click Select.

Plan and section mounts Setting up Minex to spool CGM files to a printer

190 of 202

12. The Select dialog box appears.

13. Select the printer definition you added, and click OK.

14. In the CGM Spooling dialog box, click Ok.

The Output window states whether the CGM file successfully printed or not.

Summary

191 of 202

Summary

Congratulations on completing this tutorial. You should now understand the basic elements of Minex that you are likely to use repeatedly. You have learnt a broad cross-section of concepts and activities including:

how to start Minex and work with a project

what the elements of the Minex interface are and what they are for

how to get help about Minex

how to control the view of graphical data, including how to zoom and pan

how to save geometry data

what queries are and how to perform them

how to create a string (that is, how to digitize)

how to run a volume calculation with triangles

how to display borehole data

how to create a grid from borehole collar data

how to create a weathering grid (using the grid arithmetic function)

how to create plans and sections and save them as graphics captures, or as archives

how to do a seam cross-section

Appendix A: Use self-service licensing

193 of 202


Minex 6.2 has a 'self-service licensing' feature. You use this feature to request a licence for a dongle (also known as a sentinel or hasp), using the gemcomsupport.com website. You can also use this function to send an email to Gemcom and request that your licence details be sent to you by email.

To use self-service licensing, you must have a Gemcom-issued dongle, and a Gemcom Support account. To create this account, you need to know your company username and company password. If you need help, or do not know your company user name and company password, email [email protected], and provide your dongle number.

Note: You can use this command only if you have a dongle attached to your computer and Internet access.

To request a token number using the gemcomsupport.com website:


2. On the Licence Request dialog, select the Request a licence from Gemcom Support website check box.

3. From the Dongle to licence list, select the number of the dongle for which you want to request a licence.

4. Click Using the Internet.

A webpage opens.

5. In the webpage, enter your user name and password, and click Login.

A webpage appears.

6. Click Download license.

7. Save the downloaded file.

8. In Minex, on the Licence Request dialog, click Import License File.

9. Browse to the license file you saved, and click Select.

A copy of the license file is saved to the default location for Minex.

The Update Licence Token dialog appears, The field to the right of the Validate button reads Valid, and the check boxes in the Licenced Modules panel are selected according to the modules in your licence.

10. Click Ok.

Minex finishes loading and is ready for use.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.gemcomsupport.com/


194 of 202

To request a token number by email:


2. On the Licence Request dialog, select the Request a licence from Gemcom Support website check box.

3. From the Dongle to licence list, select the number of the dongle for which you want to request a licence.

4. Click By Email. An email message is generated, containing the required details.

5. Send the email. A new token number or license.dat file will be emailed to you.

6. If you received a license.dat file, save it to an appropriate location.

7. In Minex, on the Licence Request dialog, make sure that the Local option is select:

If you have a token number:

i. Click Ok.


ii. In the Token field, type your token number, and click Validate.

If you have a licence.dat file:

i. Select the Request a license form the Gemcom Support Web site check box.

ii. Click Import License File.

iii. Browse to the license file you saved, and click Select.


In the Update Licence Token dialog, the field to the right of the Validate button reads Valid, and the check boxes in the Licenced Modules panel are selected according to the modules included in your licence.

8. Click Ok. Minex finishes loading and is ready for use.

If you are unable to use the self-service licensing because you do not have an active Internet connection, you can still request a token number.

1. On the Licence Request dialog, select the Local option, and click Ok.

2. On the Update Licence Token dialog, make a note of the Host I.D. number, and email this information to your Minex agent. If you cannot make contact with your agent, email this Host I.D. number, your dongle number, your name, and company, to Gemcom support. A new token number or licence.dat file will be emailed to you.

3. If you received a license.dat file, save it to an appropriate location.

4. In Minex, on the Licence Request dialog, make sure that the Local option is select:

If you have a token number:

iv. Click Ok.


v. In the Token field, type your token number, and click Validate.

If you have a licence.dat file:

vi. Select the Request a license form the Gemcom Support Web site check box.

vii. Click Import License File.

Appendix B: Manually set the local origin

195 of 202

viii. Browse to the license file you saved, and click Select.


In the Update Licence Token dialog, the field to the right of the Validate button reads Valid, and the check boxes in the Licenced Modules panel are selected according to the modules included in your licence.

5. Click Ok. Minex finishes loading and is ready for use.


You can manually set the local origin.

The distance of the coordinates of your geometry data from the local origin determines the magnitude of the error:

Distance from local origin Magnitude of error

10,000 m Third decimal place.

100,000 m Second decimal place.

1,000,000 m First decimal place (that is, +/- 0.5 M).

If the local origin is more than 99,999.99 metres away from the data, Minex will display the message: Warning local origin(x,y) is far from your local origin.

Activity: Set the local origin

Before you set the local origin, you should choose some coordinates that are close to your data. This activity includes steps for finding nearby coordinates.

1. In the Minex Explorer, expand Geometry_Files, right-click the file THEDON.GM3, and click Open.

2. Right-click THEDON.GM3, and click Display.

Graphics displays all the geometry data in the file. Do not worry about the detail. All you want to do at this moment is to find out the coordinates of a location that is near your data and set your local origin to the same, or similar, coordinates.

Note: The first time you do this step, you might have to wait a few minutes before the geometry data appears.

3. On the Graphics toolbar, click Toggle Black/White.


196 of 202

The background of Graphics becomes white when you show some string data.

In some situations, white provides a better contrast for the data; in other situations black is more suitable. Many of the images in this tutorial are shown with a white background to make them easier to read in a printed copy of the tutorial.

4. Click Query and then click a location, within Graphics, in the centre of the geometry data.


197 of 202

The Output window displays the coordinates of the location you clicked.

5. Right-click to cancel the query that you started.

6. Make a note of the X and Y coordinates shown in the Output window.

7. Choose Tools > Options.

8. Expand the tree so that it shows the Local Origin row.

198 of 202

9. Select the Local Origin row and enter coordinates similar to those you noted from the Output window when you ran a query, but round each coordinate to a whole number.

10. Click Close.

11. Click OK in the Information message box.

12. Exit and restart Minex.

Note: If Graphics is not open, Minex uses the local origin as soon as you plot data. You do not need

to restart Minex.

Appendix C: Minex shortcut switches

199 of 202

Appendix C: Minex shortcut switches

This section contains some additional information about the changes you can make to the Minex “shortcut” icon on your desktop. To show the properties of the shortcut, right-click it, and click Properties.

Your desktop icon and its properties might look similar to the following image.

A Minex shortcut switch is text that follows minex.exe in the Target field. In the preceding example, the switch is –java_version 1.6

Frequently used switches:

Switch Description

-java <path> Points to the location of the java runtime environment on your computer.

-java_version <version_number> Indicates the desired version of Java. For example: -java_version 1.6

-ecshome <path> Points to the installation directory on your machine.

-user_dir <path> Points to your private user directory.

-lm <licence_manager name> The name of your Gemcom Licence Manager.

-class <class name> The class of your Minex licence. Some classes that you might use are: Core, Drill&Blast, Survey, Engineering, and Geology.

-Xmx <buffer_size> Specifies the maximum size, in bytes, of the Java memory allocation pool.

This value must a multiple of 1024 and greater than 2MB.

Append the letter k or K to indicate kilobytes, m or M to indicate megabytes.

The default value is 64MB. Example: -Xmx 128m

Appendix D: The ECS_CGM_PLOTTER.SPL file

201 of 202


If you have difficulties spooling a CGM file to a printer, you can set up the spooler by editing this .spl file.

It is helpful to have the user's guide and specifications of your printer or plotter nearby when you are editing the ECS_CGM_PLOTTER.SPL file so you can find out which print languages the printer or plotter supports.

Each row in in the ECS_CGM_PLOTTER.SPL file defines one printer or plotter. The following diagram shows the meaning of each data item in the row.

printer name(your choice)

print language printer queue plotter description file line and fill saturation %(HPRTL plotters only)

name or IP address of print server

paper dimensions (cm) pen definition file

Name of printer: The name that will appear in the list of available printers when you spool to CGM. You can edit it to be anything you like. The convention used in the .SPL file is <name of plotter or plotter type>_<print language>_<speed of plot>.

Print language: The print job will be sent to the printer in this language. The languages you can use are:

Print language Description

hpgl1 Hewlett Packard Graphics Language. A printer control language that is a standard for most plotters. It is a vector graphics language that uses less memory than, and is designed to print large images faster than, raster graphics.

hpgl2 Hewlett Packard Graphics Language2. Unlike HP-GL/1, it supports definition of line width.

hprtl Hewlett Packard Raster Transfer Language.

call The CALL print language is appropriate for Calcomp line (that is vector) plotters.

calr The CALR print language is appropriate for Calcomp raster plotters.

postscript Postscript level 1.

postscript2 Postscript level 2.

postscript3 Postscript level 3.

hip Houston Instrument Plotter with PTC6 controller.

X Use this to output to X Previewer or to an X renderer. X Previewer is UNIX software that uses the 'X' windowing system to display graphics. On a Windows platform, you could set this setting to X, and use an X renderer such as NuTCracker or Motif to display the CGMs.

none This setting is used for testing purposes only.

Name or IP address of printer server: You should set this to the name or IP address of a print server on your network that is managing the plotter you want to use. If the plotter or printer is connected directly to the network, it has its own IP address.


202 of 202

Printer queue: With Hewlett Packard JetDirect print servers (that is single port print servers which are in most HP plotters) the default queue name is RAW.

Tip: You can often use the display panel on the plotter or printer to find the IP address. Otherwise you might be able to use a network printer management program like HP's JetAdmin to configure the printer or plotter. Sometimes the computer running JetAdmin is set up as a print server itself.

Paper dimensions: For example 29.7 21 for A4 or 650 130 for an A0 plotter.

Plotter Description File: The <User Defaults>\etc\lib folder contains several plotter description files. Each file contains the specification of a model of plotter or printer. For best results, you should use the plotter description file for your model of plotter or printer. You can open each file in a text editor to find out which model it is designed for (and its specifications).

Pen Definition File: The pen definition files supplied with Minex are in the <User Defaults>\etc folder.

Other Parameters: If the print language is hprt1, you can set the line and fill saturation. If the

row is an A4 or letter printer, you can specify the paper margins.

tutorial minex core

Documents

gemcom hub

gemcom insite

gemcom logo

product gemcom minex

local gemcom office

sole use of gemcom licensees

overview of minex

starting minex