Vulcan 10 Preview

• Significant improvement in the handling of block model scripts - larger scripts and calculations completed 10 to 1000 times faster.
• Block slicing will run 3 to 5 times faster.
• Implicit modelling can now be performed via GPU for accelerated computation or with a CPU estimation process optimised for implicit modelling. Trend models also supported.

• GPU acceleration has been added to Vulcan 10 grade estimation tools to complete estimations faster for some parameters.
• Block model attribute importing has been upgraded to use an intelligent process to assign values into block models several times faster.
• New threaded sequential Gaussian simulation module uses modern multi-core CPUs to accelerate simulations.

A new workflow-based approach to creating scheduling solids guides users through a series of logical steps beginning with a full pit solid, topography and horizon surfaces. The resultant product and waste solids are then split by strip lines containing information about batter angles and berm offsets, as well as block lines and bench levels.

Triangulation solids are saved separately as they are created, and assigned names and physical attributes at every stage of the process.

Existing grids or HARP models can be interrogated to assign quality and geotechnical attributes. Optimised, multi-threaded use of the Boolean engine quickly creates reliable solids with no loss of model fidelity, ensuring volumes match at every splitting stage.

Coincident and stepped surfaces are easily handled. The new splitting option works on simple or complex geology. Solids can be clipped to a new topography and attributes exported in common formats.

The results are consistent, giving valid, closed solids, fully attributed and ready for scheduling in Vulcan Gantt Scheduler and Maptek Evolution.

• Features and benefits
• Direct visualisation allows continuous validation of created solids
• Valid pit solids are created in minutes and ready for scheduling

Vulcan Automated Pit Designer enables engineers to quickly iterate mine designs to ultimately generate the most economical pit design possible. Optimised block model results can be transformed into realistic mine design contours in seconds. These contours serve as a base for further design work or can be used to generate more in depth analyses such as pit-by-pit graphs and long term schedules.

The dynamic new approach helps ensure that designs reflect real-world constraints. Benches, for example, can vary by elevation and height. Design parameters such as batter angles, berm widths, and pit slopes can vary by location and direction. Operating parameters such as minimum mining width and material digability are direct inputs to Automated Pit Designer for creating operational designs.

The resulting pit design is flexible and connected to what occurs in the mine. Designs can be updated if new drilling or mining data becomes available, or to account for different economic conditions. Multiple scheduling options can be reviewed, and different design parameters can be evaluated.

• Features and benefits
• Dynamic engineering process dramatically reduces manual drafting
• Efficient workflow from optimised block model to pit contours to scheduling
• Designs mirror real world conditions including geotechnical constraints
• Update designs with new drilling data and evaluate different design parameters

The new Vulcan Data Analyser is a totally revamped tool for variogram analysis. It integrates Vulcan data analysis tools into a streamlined workflow leading up to grade estimation.

The new option provides several new methods for handling structural and grade based anisotropy. Calculations are easily setup and fast to run. Changes to parameters are instantly reflected in charts onscreen.

• Features and benefits
• Apply filters and transformations to data
• Dynamic lag control for streamlining calculation runs
• Compass tool for correlating samples in any direction
• Display multiple models for easy comparison
• Confidently test multiple alternatives
• Output professional charts for resource reporting

Vulcan 10 implicit modelling will include a new radial basis function (RBF) option to complement existing geostatistical techniques. Domains with shared or independent structural trends can be defined and modelled together in a single run. An enhanced smoothing method will ensure drillhole data is accurately honoured.

Vulcan 10 delivers several new methods for creating local anisotropies for implicit modelling, grade estimation or simulation. This ensures the grade estimation matches the complex folded structures identified through modelling.

Vulcan 10 implicit modelling also gains new uncertainty modelling, allowing multiple orebody models to be automatically generated from drillhole datasets. Applying financial information to scenarios allows mining viability to be quickly assessed.

• Features and benefits
• RBF, faulting and uncertainty modelling within a single workflow
• Quickly produce multiple scenarios for geological structures
• Choose the modelling approach to suit your scenario
• Conduct risk assessment at any stage of a project

Users will be able to work with regular block models containing billions of blocks in Vulcan 10. Zoom into data to view areas of interest at greater resolution, with processing power only used where necessary.

There’s no compromise to resolution or data quality due to model size. Cut models into slices and toggle through sections on the screen. Change visualisation parameters (such as colour or filter by grade values, annotations, anisotropy vectors and datatips) and the display is modified seamlessly.

• Features and benefits
• Quickly load and work with large regular block models
• Level of detail viewing aids visualisation and interpretation