Import Block Models

Select model | import in the main menu to define import configurations used to import block models from CSV and/or Datamine Block Model files.

Import Configurations

A new import configuration within Minemax Scheduler can be created using the following options:

blank—Use a blank configuration.
template—Use an import configuration template.

To create a blank import configuration:

Click the + button next to the configurations list.
Enter the name for the configuration.
Set the import method to blank.
For importing block models, set category to Pit.
Select the file type of block model from CSV and Datamine.
Click the … button.
Browse for and select the file.
Click OK.
The new import configuration displays in the list ready for editing.

To create an import configuration from a template:

Click the + button next to the configurations list.
Enter the name for the configuration.
Set the import method to blank.
Select the template.
Click the … button.
Browse for and select the file.
Click OK.
The new import configuration displays in the list ready for editing.

To delete an import configuration:

Select the configuration in the configurations list.
Click the x button.

File Formats

The format tab contains a number of configurable settings that are used to parse the block model file.

sample data at line—Use the data for a given row to validate mappings and expressions.
Reload Format—Clicking this button reloads the format of the file, adding any additional fields found or removing fields that no longer exist in the file.

The following options are only applicable to CSV block model files:

text qualifier—The character used as a delimiter to mark the start and end of text fields (allowing them to contain other characters).
symbols to _—If selected, invalid symbols in headers are converted to underscore characters.
has header—If selected, the source file is expected to have a header line.
columns separated by—The character(s) used a column separator(s) in the source file.
decimal symbol—The symbol used as a decimal place for numbers within the file. Sample values are displayed in current regional settings.
grouping separator—The symbol used as a thousands grouping character for numbers within the file. Sample numeric values are displayed without groupings.
columns table—Displays the columns in the source file. Change the type to text for columns that contain alphanumeric values, or number for numerical values.

Mappings

The mappings tab is used to map and manipulate the block model data being imported.

Sample Data at Line—Data is sampled from this line in the selected file in the configuration for validation of the mappings.
Decimal Symbol—The symbol used as a decimal place for numbers within mapping expressions and lookup constants. Sample numeric values are displayed in current regional settings. When using ',' as a decimal symbol, functions should use ';' as a parameter separator rather than ','.
Note: Constants of number type must currently be edited in using the defined regional settings of the computer, and not using the defined decimal symbol. This does not apply to constants of lookup type.
Gridded and Tabbed Layouts—Switch the mappings UI between a gridded layout and a tabbed layout.
Standard Mappings—Map source file columns, constants or variables to a set of standard properties required by Minemax Scheduler.
Export original coordinates—Use this option if you are manipulating the block coordinates and/or dimensions with expressions when mapping to the standard fields; for example, when de-rotating or super-benching. If selected, users must map an additional set of coordinate and dimension fields to the coordinates in your reserves. These original coordinates are then exported during back-scheduling.
Process Ratios and Attributes—Map source file columns, constants or variables to the processes and attributes defined in the model.
Constants—Define text, numeric and lookup constants that can be used in expressions or directly mapped to the standard properties, processes and attributes.
Variables—Create variables by defining expressions that can be using in expressions for other variables or directly mapped to standard properties, processes and attributes.
Comments—Right-click a mapping, constant or variable to add a comment that is displayed as a tooltip.
Use Default Mappings—This button restores the mappings for standard properties and process/attribute mappings to the columns in the source file.
Validate—This button uses the data from the source file to validate the mappings and expressions within the selected import configuration. Validation errors display in the error column within the tables.
Decision Tree—This button displays the mapped values for the current sample line for all downstream processes in the decision tree diagram.
Review Haulage Routes—This button can be used to review the haulage routes for the current coordinates (current sample line) to a chosen destination.

Reblock Options

Reblocking is the process of converting the originally designed blocks in a block model file into larger aggregated blocks that are used for scheduling purposes.

See also Reblocking in the Modelling Concepts section of this help.

The following reblocking options are available:

no reblock—Imports the block model blocks as is.
geometry reblock—Reblocks the block model based upon geometry parameters
attribute reblock—Reblocks the block model based upon attribute (grade) ranges.

To reblock:

Set the reblock method to geometry reblock or attribute reblock.
Enter the no. of attributes to reblock against.
Select the bin naming type from:
- Auto—Automatically name the bins.
- Custom—Configure the bin names manually.
- Legacy—Resulting bin blocks use the legacy G1, G2 ... GN naming.
For each attribute configuration, select the process attribute to be used for the attribute reblocking and use the + and x buttons to add and remove grade ranges.
Enter a prefix for the bin blocks if required.

Import a Block Model

To finalize the import of the block models:

Select which import configurations to use to import block model data by selecting the appropriate boxes next to the configuration names in the list.
Select whether to import bench visualization. If selected, Minemax Scheduler creates a 3D model (bench strings) from the block model being imported.
Select the following options as required to customize the import process:
- export blocks before re-blocking—Creates .bl or .dmbl files containing the original source block with the standard properties, processes and attribute values after the expressions have been evaluated but before any reblocking has occurred.
  - Note: .bl files are created if CSV files are imported, .dmbl files are created if Datamine Block Models are imported.
- clear all pit blocks—Removes all previously imported benches and blocks before importing the new block model data.
- clear all dump blocks—Removes all previously imported lifts and dump blocks before importing the new dump model data.
- clear all stockpiles—Clears all stockpile initials before importing.
- use legacy bench names—Uses legacy bench names that are formatted to 6 decimal places and include trailing zeroes.
Click Import to begin importing the block model data.

Import Pit Bench Visualization

Note: A block model must already be imported, or a block model import configuration must exist in the list preceding this configuration.

To create an import configuration to import pit bench vizualization from a visualization file (Vulcan, Surpac, Datamine):

Click the + button next to the configurations list.
Enter the name for the configuration.
Set category to Pit.
Set file type to Visualization.
Click the … button.
Browse for and select the visualization file.
Click OK
The new import configuration displays in the list ready for editing.
Under the format tab, ensure you have configured the format of the import configuration.
Under the mappings tab, ensure you have mapped the Pit Name and Bench standard fields. The values of pit name and bench are used to map the imported visualization to the benches in the model.