Prism Orientation Settings

To access this screen:

Display the Orientation screen.
Select the Prism Orientation Method.

Define orientation settings for a Prism Frameworks.

The Prism Method of stope shape optimization is typically applicable to massive orebodies or wide/thick deposits whose stopes tend to be designed by blocking out the orebody in a grid-like pattern.

The Prism Method allows you to define a library of possible stope volumes by using permutations of stope length, width and height (as rectangular prisms). The library of stope volumes can be defined as rectangular prisms or defined as prisms with a centralised undercut trough (a shape like an inverted “milk-carton”). The stope library can be developed quickly by using minimum and maximum values or, alternatively, the library can be explicitly defined giving specific axis dimensions for each stope volume (using the Prism Frameworks screen).

The general orientation settings and prism increments for this framework are defined using this Prism Orientation Settings screen.

Define Prism Orientation Settings

Activity steps

Create or select an MSO scenario.
If not already defined, specify a block model.
Set up the run economics.
Display the Orientation screen.
Expand Optimization Method and select Prism.
Expand the Prism Orientation command group.

Choose an Orientation for your Prism framework:

Orientation	Description	Typical Use Case
Prism XZ Framework	Prisms are aligned along the XZ axis.	Vertical veins striking north-south, mined in east-west-oriented stopes.
Prism YZ Framework	Prisms are aligned along the YZ axis	Vertical veins striking east-west, mined in north-south-oriented stopes.
Prism XY Framework	Prisms are aligned along the XY axis	Flat-lying deposits like coal seams or horizontal tabular orebodies.
Prism YX Framework	Prisms are aligned along the YX axis	Stratiform or bedded ore zones requiring Y-axis referencing for stope layout.

Constrain your framework by defining Framework Extents. Extents can either be defined using a block model prototype or manually entered values to determine a bounding cuboid:
- Block Model – Select to constrain generated data to the outer hull of the current scenario's block model.
  - Optionally, check Show Block Model Prototype to display the current Origin, Distance (axis length) and Offset values below.
  - With prototype values displayed, check Visualize in 3D and click Look At to display the cuboid prototype in the primary 3D window (and all linked windows). This can help to see how the model boundary relates to other reference data.
  - If the input model is rotated, axis Rotation angles also display (otherwise, they all show zero).
- Manual – Explicitly define a cuboid in 3D space by defining the Origin (world coordinates please) and Distance (local length) of the major axis. For a rotated cuboid, specify up to 3 rotation Angles for XYZ.
  Note: When defining world coordinates, these are described as XYZ, where local framework coordinates are described through these help topics as UVW.
  - Optionally, click Copy from Block Model to transfer the existing model prototype details to the editable fields. This could be useful, say, to create a bounding cuboid that is larger than the input model, for example.
  - Check Visualize in 3D and click Look At to display the cuboid prototype in the primary 3D window (and all linked windows).
  - Optionally, check Show Block Model Prototype to display the current Origin, Distance (axis length) and Offset values without transferring them to the editable fields.
Define Additional Settings for your Prism framework:
- For each Axis, define the step Increment. This automatically updates the Number shown to the right. For example, if your Framework Extents (however defined) indicate a U-axis Distance of 100, setting an Increment of 5 sets the Number to 20 automatically.
Save your settings.

More Information

For background information on the MSO prism optimization method, refer to:

AMS MSO Manual – Section 4.1.2: Prism Optimization Method

This section describes the use of vertical and arbitrary axis prisms for constructing stope shapes, typically in bulk mining scenarios. This section also explains how prisms are aligned and the role of rotation angles.

Note: The MSO manual is installed with each copy of Studio UG. If you are using a different Studio product and require a copy of the MSO operating manual, please contact your local Datamine office.