Configuring Phases

You can determine whether to apply geometric constraints, such as minimum mining width, bench tapering length, and round corner to the pit phases within a pit optimization scenario.

Before you begin:
See Also
Preparing an Optimization Block Model
Controlling Pit and Phases
Creating a Scenario
  1. In the tree, under the Scenario node, select Phases.
  2. From the Pit Optimization section of the action bar, click Pit and Phases .
    Alternatively, you can right-click Phases or Single Pit in the tree.
  3. From the Geometric Constraints section, enter a value for each option to specify how the geometric constraints to be applied to the phases and the final pit.
    OptionDescription
    Minimum Mining Width Specifies a length value that is the minimum width allowed for benches and pit bottoms. It is automatically converted with the smoothing length to the number of blocks.
    Bench Tapering Length Specifies the width of a bench diminishing to the edge of the mined area or earlier phases.
    Pit Wall Smoothness Length Specifies a length value that is the smoothing length applied to the boundary of a wall. It is automatically converted with the smoothing length to the number of blocks.
  4. Select Round Corner to apply a round corner to pit walls with a radius of one block width.


    By default, the option is cleared

  5. Optional: Clear Block Connectivity in Phase to disconnect the phase from the components. A spatially separated component is not allowed.

    By default, the option is selected.

  6. If you applied geometric constraints, expand Final Pit section and enter a value for the Revenue Factor, which is used to scale the base prices up and down.
    Clear Impose Pit Geometical Constraints.
  7. Expand the Phases section to specify the size, resource content, and direction of the phases.
  8. From the Phase Control options, select one of the following:
    OptionDescription
    Number of Phases Specifies the number of phases to generate pushbacks. Pit Optimization uses that number of phases to generate phases with approximately even tonnage.

    If you select this option, choose whether to enforce phase to follow a direction and specify a starting point.
    Size of Phase Defines the metric size of each phase. This can be by either by the total tonnage of a phase, the ore tonnage of a phase, or the processing tonnage of a phase. A minimum and maximum tonnage is required.

    if you select this option, determine whether to constrain the phase size either Mining or Processing

    Then enter the Minimum Tonnage and Maximum Tonnage.

    Important: The Enforce Phases Follow a Direction allows you to specify what direction the development of phases follows. The phases follow a radial directional scheme of phase progression based on a specified starting point.

  9. Optional: Specify a starting point either by entering the required X and Y coordinates or by selecting a point on the canvas. To select a point on the canvas, click Digitize then left-click on the required point. The starting point must be within the extents of the model.

Phases have been configured in Pit Optimization.