Shapes

• Shapes
  • Slice and Surface Boundary Frameworks
    • • Summary
  • Prism Framework

To access this screen:

• After selecting an Orientation framework, select the Shapes icon on the MSO ribbon.

The Shapes screen content depends on your framework's orientation.

Note: For a simple summary of the geometry concepts used in MSO, see MSO Geometry Parameters.

Slice and Surface Boundary Frameworks

Shapes parameters define geometric constraints that govern how MSO builds individual stope shapes within the framework tubes. These constraints include width, dip, strike, and side ratio rules, ensuring that the generated shapes conform to practical mining geometry and geotechnical standards.

You can apply both fixed and dynamic rules to width, dip, and strike either by setting limits or linking to block model fields. This enables highly controlled and geologically consistent shapes.

Summary

For these framework types, this part of the MSO workflow is used to:

• Control stope width, dip, strike, and side ratios.

Prism Framework

For this framework type, the Shapes screen controls how candidate prism stopes are constructed, constrained, and refined before optimisation.

In other words, the Shapes screen controls how candidate prism stopes are constructed and refined before optimisation. These settings define sub-level spacing, stope separation, optional trough geometry, and crown refinement behaviour. Adjusting these options allows Prism optimisation to better reflect mine design rules, geological complexity, and economic objectives.

Unlike the slice or boundary methods (see above), prism optimisation works by selecting from predefined 3D stope shapes, rather than growing stopes from slices.

These options define:

• How sub-levels are spaced. In the Prism method, stopes are evaluated at discrete vertical positions (sub-levels).

• This section controls how those sub-levels are defined and whether stope height can vary.

• How much separation is enforced between stopes. This enforces minimum separation distances between stopes, ensuring stable waste pillars are maintained.

• Whether trough-shaped stopes are allowed. You also control their geometry and rules for exclusion.

• How crown geometry is refined during optimisation. The crown can be considered the apex of the prism.

Note: Activities relating to the Prism framework are prefixed in the Table of Contents and below with "Prism:". Other activities relate to other framework types.