Define Structure Surface Wireframe

These Advanced MSO settings constrain, adjust, or influence the generated stope shapes using a reference surface, usually a geological contact, grade boundary, or structural feature.

There are three ways to adjust generated shapes to correspond with a control surface. All three methods are described here:

  • Expansion – Expand shapes toward or away from the surface.

  • Snap – Snap shapes to it within a buffer zone.

  • Optimize – Optimize stope geometry relative to the control surface for best economic return.

This feature is especially powerful for modelling narrow lenses, plunge constraints, or hangingwall and footwall guidance.

Initial activity steps for all methods

  1. Define an MSO scenario, block model, orientation, framework and shapes.

  2. Display the Advanced screen.

  3. Expand the Structure Surface Wireframe command group.

  4. Check Use Structure Surface Wireframe.

  5. Browse for a Wireframe File (...tr.dmx). This is the surface to be used as a structural or geological guide for shape adjustment.

    Note: Datamine wireframes are comprised of 2 files. You need to browse for the triangles file of the pair.

  6. Expand the Adjustment list and pick an adjustment method from Expansion, Snap or Optimize.

  7. Continue this activity using the appropriate steps below.

Expansion Method

To define wireframe-based adjustments using the EXPANSION method:

MSO expands the stope toward the surface within a defined distance range. This is useful for pushing the stope boundary closer to a known ore contact or limiting surface. For example, you are optimizing a stope near a fault surface and want it to expand toward it without breaching.

  1. Define how expansion is applied using Expansion Application:

    • Geological – Specify expansion in relation to Near and Far locations.

    • Geometric – As above, but use Footwall and Hangingwall logic.

  2. Enter Minimum and Maximum distances allowed between the stope shape and surface in meters, either from the hangingwall/footwall or near/far walls, depending on the method chosen

Snap Method

To define wireframe-based adjustments using the SNAP method:

MSO will "snap" the stope boundary directly onto the surface, but only if the surface is within the given distance. This is commonly used to make shapes match sharp geological contacts (for example, ore-body top or bottom). For example, you want the stope floor to align exactly with the bottom contact of the ore body, but only when it’s geologically reasonable (within 3 m).

  1. Set the Snap Distances by first picking either the Near or Far Position.
  2. Set the Min. Distance and Max Distance to define the range (in meters) within which snapping will occur.

Optimize Method

To define wireframe-based adjustments using the OPTIMIZE method:

MSO will test stope adjustments around the surface and select the best one for value or shape quality. This is a powerful mode for advanced auto-alignment. This could be a good option where you are unsure if the shape should expand or snap, so you let MSO test several alignments with the surface and pick the best.

The only option here is to choose which stope boundary Position to optimize; Near, Far, Footwall or Hangingwall.

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