Configure Mid-Section Annealing Settings

Mid-Section Annealing is a post-processing operation in MSO that occurs after the initial stope optimization. Its main goal is to minimize abrupt transitions between stopes by generating new intermediate shapes and annealing them (optimizing their vertices to improve smoothness and continuity).

Note: Mid-Section Annealing cannot be used in combination with any method of stope splitting.

Use Stope Mid-Section Annealing in scenarios where:

Large sectional spacing was used during optimization (e.g., 30 m, 40 m, etc.)
Your framework produces jagged or inconsistent shapes between adjacent sections
You want improved visual or operational continuity in the final output, especially in geological reports or when preparing stopes for development scheduling

Mid-Section Annealing Example

Suppose you optimized a deposit using 40 m section spacing due to performance constraints.

While the stopes align well with the main sections, the transitions between them are blocky and irregular. By using Mid-Section Annealing with 4 intermediate sections, MSO will insert 4 evenly spaced planes between each original pair of sections and apply shape smoothing across them.

If the option Split on Mid-Section is also checked, these intermediate shapes are used to subdivide the stopes, potentially creating new operational slices.

Create an MSO scenario and define a block model.
Configure other settings as required.
Display the Post Processing screen.
Ensure Use Stope Splitting is unchecked.
Check Use Stope Mid-Section Annealing.
Use Number of Intermediate Sections to define how many intermediate slices to create between each pair of original stope planes. More sections yield smoother transitions.
Check Split on Mid-Section to ensure the final stope is split at the intermediate sections, creating discrete stope segments instead of a single smoothed volume.
Save your settings and continue defining other post-processing options.