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GEOVIA Surpac

Export to Whittle

You use this function to convert a block model into a format suitable for Whittle to perform an open-pit optimisation.

This function outputs a Whittle .mod and/or .pil file directly from a (loaded) Surpac block model. This function uses data in several block model attributes to determine if a block could be potentially processed, and outputs a Whittle block model file dependant on attributes containing grade, specific gravity and other information. Optionally, you may also perform validation on the model before output of the Whittle file. This will increase the processing time required, but will prevent Surpac from trying to produce an invalid Whittle block model file.

To run this function:Block Model > Block Model > Export > to Whittle, or

  • In the Function Chooser, type BM OUTPUT WHITTLE and press ENTER.

Fields on the Export to Whittle four-x form

Field Description
Standard Output Options
Constrain Model
  • Selected: Constrains the block model, cutting down the number of blocks in the output.
  • Cleared: Uses all of the blocks in the block model.
Export Block Size (X, Y, Z) Selects the block size at which the Whittle model will be exported. An example value is 0.5, 0.5, 0.5.
SG attribute The attribute storing a specific gravity value for each block, for example sg.
Mine number attribute The attribute containing the mine number. This is an optional field and can be left blank.
Rounding Options
Decimals

The number of decimals used when calculating block tonnage and metal content.

Note: If you export to free file format, 3 decimal points are always used. One reason for specifying fewer decimal places is to prevent data 'overrun' in a block model report for a fixed file format, that is, to prevent values in the report extending beyond their allocated space and over the top of other values.
Mod File
Generate mod file
  • Selected: Exports a .mod (Whittle block model) file. This is enabled by default.
  • Cleared: Does not export a .mod file.
Model file name The name of the output model file. It is given a .mod extension.
Parameter file name The name of the output parameter file. It is given a .par extension.
Rock code attribute

The attribute that contains a character rock code for each block. An example value is rock.

Note: This attribute must not contain any NULL values.
MCAF attribute The attribute containing a Mining Cost Adjustment Factor for each block, or a numeric value (greater than 0) to be applied to all blocks.
PCAF attribute The attribute containing a Processing Cost Adjustment Factor for each block, or a numeric value (greater than 0) to be applied to all blocks.
Zone attribute The attribute containing the zone number. This field is used to define different slope regions that can use separate slope profiles within Whittle. This is an optional field and can be left blank.
Block value attribute The attribute containing the block value. This is an optional field and can be left blank.
Volume adjustment

The volume adjustment factor attribute. This is an optional field and can be left blank.

The volume adjustment attribute is used to modify the ore tonnes in a block but NOT the total block tonnes. This attribute is a factor less than one i.e. 0.8 not 80%. If the block has 100t @ 2 g/t, without the volume adjustment the ore parcel contains 100t @ 2 g/t for 200g. If the volume adjustment was 0.5 then the total block tonnes remain 100t while the parcel contains 50t @ 2 g/t for 100g.
Waste rock code The rock code that is "undefined waste".
Air rock code The rock code that is air.
Validate Model
  • Selected: Validates the block model for Whittle output, preventing an invalid model from being exported. This option is the equivalent of running BM VALIDATE FOR WHITTLE OUTPUT function.
  • Cleared: Does not validate the block model for Whittle output.
Error lookup attribute The attribute to contain the error code(s) if validation fails. It is recommended that you create a new attribute for this purpose, because the function will over-write any existing values for this attribute.
Error report file name The name of the report text file to output. This report contains the successful tests as well as failed test information.
Output report file format The name of the report text file to output, this will contain the successful tests as well as failed test information.
Indicator Kriged Indicates whether or not the model to be exported is an Indicator Kriged (IK) model. If selected, the Enter indicator kriging values form will be displayed following this form.
Grade Attributes The names of one or more attributes that contain the grade values to be exported to Whittle. This table is displayed if the Indicator Kriged field is not selected.
Generate report
  • Selected: Generates a Whittle style report. This is disabled by default.
  • Cleared: Does not generate a Whittle style report.
Export report filename The name of the report text file to export to Whittle.
Output report file format

The file format for your output. Options are:

  • .not: Note File
  • .csv: Comma Separated (Spreadsheet)
  • .htm: Hypertext Markup Language (Web)
  • .html: Hypertext Markup Language (Web)
  • .rtf: Rich Text Format (Microsoft Word)
  • .pdf: Adobe Acrobat
  • .ps: Postscript
Pit List File
Generate pit list file
  • Selected: Exports a .pil (Whittle pit list) file. This is disabled by default. PIL files are used to export a pit design from Surpac to Whittle and allow further scheduling and financial analysis in Whittle.
  • Cleared: Does not export a .pil (Whittle pit list) file.
Pit list file name The name of the pit list file to output.
Pit number attribute The attribute containing the pit number. If there are several cutbacks before the final pit then a block falling inside the final pit should have the number of the lowest pit (which would be mined first). Pit numbers should be sequential and start at 1. If a block is not located within the final pit, it should have a NULL value or be given the final pit number plus one.

Output

This command outputs a Whittle .mod, .par, and / or .pil file. The output depends on the options chosen (i.e. either to generate a .mod file or a .pil file). There are a number of other reports (validation and export reports) that can also be generated during this process depending on the options chosen.

See also

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