Spatial Relationships

You use the Spatial relationships data grid to define when a spatial relationship exists between two locations.

Block precedences are automatically calculated within locations but they are not automatically calculated between different locations. When you define spatial relationships, precedences are calculated between blocks in different locations so that blocks in a lower location cannot be mined until they are exposed by the mining of blocks in an upper location.

Note: The more spatial relationships that are defined, the longer the processing time for the schedule.

You can define spatial relationships between mining locations, between fill locations, and between mining and fill locations.

An example of where you would use spatial relationships is where you have a starter pit and a pushback defined as two separate locations. Because of the sloping walls, some blocks in the pushback lie below blocks in the starter pit. It is important that block precedences are calculated from blocks in the starter pit to blocks in the pushback so that there is no under-mining. In this case, the starter pit is the primary location and the pushback is the secondary location.

Another example of where you would use spatial relationships is when you are mining using benches but, instead of being horizontal, your benches are geologically controlled and defined by DTMs. When benches are defined by DTMs, they are created as separate locations. It is important that block precedences are calculated from the upper location to the lower location so that the blocks for lower benches are not selected for mining before the blocks for upper benches have been mined.

Note: Wildcards are not supported in the Spatial relationships data grid. You can define more than one primary location by typing the names of multiple locations.

You can define the polygon precedences in the Spatial relationships data grid, or you can use the spreadsheet view. To access the spreadsheet view, select Spreadsheet > Enable Spreadsheet Views, and then select the Spatial Relationships spreadsheet. When the Spatial Relationships spreadsheet is enabled, it replaces the Spatial relationships data grid in the Parameters tab.

Columns in the Spatial Relationships Data Grid

Column	Description
Primary	The location or locations in which mining must be complete in the blocks that lie above the blocks of the Secondary location or locations before the blocks that lie below (in the Secondary location) become available for mining. Tip: To define more than one location, type the name of each location separated by a space.
Secondary	The location or locations in which the blocks that lie below the Primary location cannot be mined until mining is complete in the blocks of the Primary location or locations.

See also

• Precedences
• Production Parameters
• Precedences Parameters
• Manual Precedences
• Polygon Precedences
• Locations