Load channels to database
The channels which have been loaded from a string file must be loaded into a drill hole database to permit further use of the grade control system. This function provides a convenient method of doing this.
To run this function: Choose Design > Grade control > Load channels into database, or...
This function loads the collar table with the start of channel coordinates, the survey table is loaded with the survey details along channel and a nominated interval table is loaded with the sample range details.
Some time after the channel details are loaded into the database with this function, the sample assay data will become available. This data can then be loaded using the LOAD DATABASE function available in the drill hole database module.
The interval table is loaded with the channel ID (hole_id), depth_from, depth_to and samp_id. The hole_id is obtained from the D1 field in the first point of the channel. The depth_from and depth_to are obtained by entering a depth range for the samples on a later form. The samp_id is generated automatically from the hole_id and one of two different numerical sequences for creating sample numbers down the drill holes.
The two numerical sequence methods are known as:
- increment from 1
This method is very simple and assumes that the sample numbers start at one for each new channel. The sample ID is constructed by joining the drill hole ID, an "_" character and the sample number together. For example the first sample in the hole A100 would have a sample ID of A100_1, the second would be A100_2, etc.
- define start sample
This method is suitable for use in many of the open cut mining operations throughout Australia. You will be required to enter the sample number of the first sample in each channel. Sample numbers for subsequent samples in a hole will be determined by successively incrementing this number. You can also have some alpha prefix if required and you can choose from having sample numbers with or without leading zeros.
If you have not already selected a drill hole database into which the channel data is to be loaded you must do so now. The SELECT DRILLHOLE DATABASE form is now displayed if you are not already connected to a database.
Database name
Enter the name of the drill hole database into which the channel data is to be loaded. The database must already exist before you use this function.
Choose Apply to display the LOG FILE FOR LOADING CHANNELS TO THE DATABASE form
Define the log file to be created
Location, ID number
Enter the Location and ID number to define the log file which will be created to record details of any errors which may occur during loading the channel details to the database tables.
Complete the LOG FILE FOR LOADING CHANNELS TO THE DATABASE form and choose Apply to proceed to the next step in loading the channels to the database.
Sample ID method
Choose the method for creating sample IDs for the samples which will be loaded into the interval table.
Using the browser select either the "increment from 1" method or the "define start sample" method.
The next three inputs are only required if you choose the ``define start sample'' method for determining sample IDs.
Prefix
Enter the value for the alpha-numeric suffix which is to be used in the creation of the drill hole IDs. If you have no need for an alpha-numeric prefix then leave this input blank.
Number length
This input has particular significance if you plan to use leading zeros in the numeric part of the hole ID. It also has significance even when not using leading zeros especially in the instance when the number length is too small for the numbers which are required. For example, the number length may be defined as 3 but the number required for a hole ID is for example 3276, in this case the number part of the hole ID will appear as "***" due to a field overflow.
When using leading zeros however, the number is right aligned in a field of the width specified by this input and leading characters which would normally be blank are filled with zeros. For example,
Number length = 5 ID number =
456
Numeric part of hole ID = "00456"
Leading Zeros
Enter Y if you wish to use leading zeros for the numeric part of the hole ID otherwise enter N. The reason for using leading zeros is have the channels sorted in a different order to what you get without leading zeros. Below is an example intended to demonstrate the different sorted order which will result when leading zeros are used for hole IDs.
| Leading zeros | No leading zeros |
|---|---|
| 01 | 1 |
| 02 | 10 |
| 05 | 15 |
| 08 | 2 |
| 10 | 20 |
| 15 | 25 |
| 20 | 5 |
| 25 | 8 |
The reason for this difference is that the hole IDs are in fact a sequence of characters and not numbers. Therefore to produce the results which most would prefer it is necessary to use leading zeros.
Table for saving samples
Enter the name of the interval table to load the Channel Sample details. The table name which is entered here must have the following fields: Hole_id, Samp_id, depth_from and depth_to.
Complete the LOG FILE FOR LOADING CHANNELS TO THE DATABASE form and choose Apply.
If you are using the "define start sample" method for assigning the sample IDs then the START SAMPLE FOR DRILL HOLES form will be displayed.
The channel ID for all of the channels which are to be loaded are displayed in a scrolling region with input fields available to let you enter the starting sample number for each drill hole.
Complete the START SAMPLE FOR DRILL HOLES form and choose Apply to commence loading the data into the various tables in the database.
The first point of each segment MUST have the channel ID (i.e. the drill hole ID) in the description field and the last point of each segment MUST have the depth range of the samples in the channel, for example
1, 6774.820, 2417.380, 155.708, CHAN1 1, 6823.880, 2417.740, 155.566, 2,10 0, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 1, 6822.650, 2438.580, 156.611, CHAN2 1, 6819.250, 2458.520, 157.692, 4,20,4 0, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000,
The two segments above will create samples in the database like:
hole_id depth_from depth_to CHAN1 0.0 2.0 CHAN1 2.0 3.0 CHAN1 3.0 4.0 CHAN1 4.0 5.0 CHAN1 5.0 6.0 CHAN1 6.0 7.0 CHAN1 7.0 8.0 CHAN1 8.0 9.0 CHAN1 9.0 10.0 CHAN2 0.0 4.0 CHAN2 4.0 8.0 CHAN2 8.0 12.0 CHAN2 12.0 16.0 CHAN2 16.0 20.0
Each of the segments have various details loaded into the collar, survey and specified interval table of the database.
Into the collar table is loaded:
| hole_id | The hole id which is taken from the description field. |
| y | The y value of the point. |
| x | The x value of the point. |
| z | The z value of the point. |
| hole_path | 'linear' is loaded in this field. |
| max_depth | The maximum depth from the Depth Range input. |
Into the survey table is loaded:
| hole_id | The hole id which is taken from the description field. |
| depth | The maximum depth from the Depth Range input. |
| dip | The dip value which was entered. |
| azimuth | The azimuth value which was entered. |
Into the specified interval table is loaded:
| hole_id | The hole id which is taken from the description field. |
| samp_id | The sample ID as determined using the method previously selected for assigning sample IDs. |
| depth_from | The depth at the top of the sample. |
| depth_to | The depth at the bottom of the sample. |
All other fields in each of the tables described above are loaded with blanks for character fields and zero for integer and real fields.
Blank Hole ID at point nnn - Ignoring it You have not labelled this channel. The point has been ignored.
Sample range must be in the last point of the segment Ignoring String xx, Segment xx
A range must exist in the last point of the segment to define the samples which are in the channel. This segment will not be loaded into the database.
Channel samples need at least 2 points The problem is in String xx, Segment xx
The segment must have at least 2 points to define the path of the channel. This segment will not be loaded into the database.