Configure Ore Development Strings

Ore development strings allow MSO to recognize and respect the position of pre-existing development drives (like ore drives or exploration headings) when generating stope shapes. They can be configured within a Standard Slice Frameworks.

These strings act as hard constraints, forcing the optimizer to include at least part of the stope shape within a specific range around the string geometry. This feature is particularly valuable in projects where development already exists or is committed, and stope generation must align with that infrastructure. The result is stope designs that are better aligned with existing development layouts and more practical for implementation.

Activity steps

  1. Create or select an MSO scenario.

  2. If not already defined, specify a block model.

  3. Set up the run economics.

  4. Define your framework orientation.

  5. Display the Framework screen.

  6. Expand Framework Type to select Standard Framework, if not already selected.

  7. Define Sections and Levels.

  8. Check Use Ore Development Strings. When checked, MSO applies a filter to ensure that shapes intersect within a proximity distance of the development strings.

    More fields appear below.

  9. Define a Minimum and Maximum proximity distance. This equates to the distance range (in meters) from the string that stopes must intersect to be valid. For example, -0.5 to +0.5 allows shapes within 1.0m vertical range of the ore development string.

  10. Browse for and select the String File to use as the development reference. Typically, this is a string representing ore drives.

  11. Optionally, check Level ID to enable a tagging feature. Each generated level will have an unique ID recorded in the output attributes.

    • Specify a block model Field where level IDs will be written. If the field doesn’t already exist, MSO will create it in the output files as part of processing.

    • Set the Default starting value for the first level’s ID. Each subsequent level increments from this base value (for example, Default = 1000 → next levels: 1001, 1002, and so on).

  12. Save your settings.

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