Spatial Dependencies

To access this screen:

Activate the Reserves ribbon and select Dependencies >> Spatial.

Spatial dependencies are used to ensure block mining sequences are practical. In other words, they prevent blocks being scheduled in an infeasible order, such as undermining or an extraction sequence that cannot be achieved with the current mining approach and constraints.

This task creates dependencies between blocks on adjacent benches within a pit to prevent undercutting when scheduling. The dependencies can be used within the Auto Scheduler and also when scheduling manually.

To run this task the mining blocks for a pit must have been created either manually or automatically.

Tip: A DEPANIM attribute is added to the block outlines and solids output files automatically when dependencies are created. This attribute can be used to show an animation of the dependencies in the Task window.

Activity steps:

Display the Spatial Dependencies screen.
Select the Pit for which you wish to define dependencies.
Display reference data if required to guide your decisions:
- Block Outlines – Show the outlines of the automatically- or manually-generated blocks in the Task window.
- Block Solids – Show the block wireframes for the selected pit.
- Dependencies – Display any existing dependency strings in the Task window - it is often useful to show these in relation to the block outlines.
Choose how or if the designed mining Phases influence block dependencies, by selecting one of the following exclusive options:
- No control using phases – When creating the dependencies for a pit treat all blocks as if they are in a single mining phase.
- Restrict dependencies to within single phases – Only create dependencies between mining blocks that belong to the same mining phase. You may wish to do this if you know phases will be mined in order.
- Allow dependencies to be created from a low to higher phase – Allow dependencies to be created between blocks in different phases only if the first block has a lower phase number then the subsequent block.
Define the Required overlap between block strings to create dependency. Where mining block strings overlap, a mining dependency is assumed. The settings below determine what determines an "overlap".
- Minimum overlap distance between dependant blocks – Enter the smallest amount of overlap (as a 2D distance in plan view) between two blocks. Any overlap of this distance or greater will cause a dependency to be generated between the overlapping blocks.
- Mining overlap area between dependant blocks – If the area of intersection of two blocks is greater than this value (square measurement units), then the blocks are deemed co-dependant.
Click Create to calculate dependencies automatically for your blocks based on the rules specified.
Save your task settings.
Save your project.