Block Size Multipliers

When deriving optimum stope/pit layouts for large models, particularly in preliminary testing of parameter configurations, it can be beneficial to combine full-size (i.e. not sub-blocked) blocks in one or more directions using block size multipliers. The optimisation will be completed in less time and the results will still be reported at the resolution of the supplied block model – however, the granularity and selectivity of the solution may be impacted.

When specifying block size multipliers, ensure that the required stope/pit sizes and shapes can still be modelled adequately using combinations of adjacent blocks of the resulting size.

East

(Optional.) Specify the (whole) number of full-size blocks to be combined in the east direction.

North

(Optional.) Specify the (whole) number of full-size blocks to be combined in the north direction.

Z

(Optional.) Specify the (whole) number of full-size blocks to be combined in the Z (elevation) direction.

Note that this operation works similarly to Block Model | Reblock Model | Reblock. The effect of the reblocking is to reduce the number of parent blocks that are required to be considered in the optimisation - thereby reducing the time required to produce the result.

For the purposes of the optimisation, unlike Block Model | Reblock Model | Regularise, the details of the constituent sub-blocks are retained. The optimisation decides whether each parent block does or does not constitute part of the optimum pit. The value used for each parent block is the sum of the best values that can be achieved from processing the individual sub-blocks. However, this value can be realised only if the entire parent block is included in the optimum stope/pit. The size of the parent block dictates the resolution of the stope/pit shape; however, the individual sub-blocks within each selected parent block are processed individually.