Dr.

DHEERAJ KUMAR
Associate Professor
Department of Mining Engineering
INDIAN SCHOOL OF MINES, DHANBAD

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Table of Contents ................................................................................................................. 3

1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Licensing Surpac ...................................................................................................................5
2. Surpac GUI .......................................................................................................................................... 6
3. Surpac Data Types .............................................................................................................................8
4. String Concept ....................................................................................................................................9
5. Range Concept .................................................................................................................................. 12
6. Importing File To Surpac ...............................................................................................................13
6.1 From One File ..............................................................................................................13, 28
6.2 From Many File .......................................................................................... 13, 29
7. Basic mouse function ..................................................................................................... 14
8. Creating File ...................................................................................................................................... 14
8.1 With Information ................................................................................................................14
8.2 Without Information ...........................
............. ..........................
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..............
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9. Digital Terrain Model .....................................................................................................................31
9.1 Contouring ........................................................................................................................... 38
9.2 Sectioning ............................................................................................................................. 43
9.3 Draping ................................................................................................................................. 51
9.4 Volume Calculation ............................................................................................................54
9.5 Intersection........................................................................................................................... 60
10. Geological Database ........................................................................................................................62
10.1 Bore Hole Log ......................................................................................................................77
10.2 Audit Of Database ...............................................................................................................80
10.3 Reports  ................................................................................................................................... 92
10.4 Database Editing ..............................................................................................................100 100
11. Sectioning ........................................................................................................................................104
12. Solid Modeling ...............................................................................................................................118
12.1 Validation ...........................................................................................................................122 122
13. Block Model ...................................................................................................................................136
13.1 Estimation And Composition .......................................................................................143 143
14. Basic Statistics ................................................................................................................................144
14.1 Estimation.......................................................................................................................... 151
15. Slice Plan .........................................................................................................................................162
16. Pit Design ........................................................................................................................................165
17. Plotting ............................................................................................................................................171
18. Survey Database ..............................................................................................................174

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 INTRODUCTION

 Surpac

Surpac is the world’s most popular , efficient and user friendly geology
and mine planning software, supporting open pit  and underground
operations and exploration projects in more than 110 countries. The
software delivers efficiency and accuracy through ease-of-use, powerful
3D graphics, and workflow automation that can be aligned to company
and mine-specific processes and data flows.
Surpac heeds to all the requirements of geologists, surveyors, and mining
engineers in the resource sector and is flexible enough to be suitable for
every commodity, orebody, and mining method. Its multilingual
capabilities allow global companies to support a common solution across
their operations.

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 REQUIREMENTS TO RUN SURPAC

LICENSING SURPAC

There are three kinds of license issued/purchased/available:-

1)  None
2) Local
3)  Network
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1) None: Free of cost, used for viewing purpose only.

2) Local: A licensing dongle is issued by Gemcom which enables ‘single user’

facility.

3) Network: A dongle is issued that enables a system to act as a server which in

turn issues license to multiple users. The number of users can vary up to the
 purchased limit.

SURPAC GUI

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 TITLE BAR : - Shows version of surpac in use, working directory and path

of working directory.

 MENU BAR : - Encapsulates options and their sub-options for functions like

File, Display and View etc.

 TOOL BAR : - Includes the shortcut options for all the functions and sub-

functions present in the MENU bar.

 GRAPHICAL PANE: The ongoing work/process/display is displayed on

this black “3-D” workspace. On scrolling in over the pane the (X, Y, Z) co-

ordinates of the point directly below the pointer is displayed in the “STATUS

BAR”.

 NAVIGATOR : - All the folders and files can be browsed and selected via

this window.”WORKING DIRECTORY” is set by choosing the same option

via this navigator window.

 PROPERTIES AND VIEW PANE: - It displays the properties of file/folder

selected via the navigator window. View pane shows the specifications of the

 particular property of the file/folder.

 LAYERS PANE: - It shows all the layers being put to use along with the

current active/working layer. Layers can be hide/deleted/activated and vice-

versa using the functions given in the layers pane.

 MESSAGE WINDOW: - It shows all the steps being taken and

errors/success of the function/process being done.

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 BASIC MOUSE FUNCTIONS
 To move a data on graphical pane – click on scroll keeping it pressed drag to
desired position.
 For rotation press and hold Left mouse button and move
 To Zoom IN/OUT whole figure/work press and hold Right mouse button and
move to and fro.
 For zooming a particular point, bring the cursor at the point and scroll in/out.

CREATING A FILE
There are two ways to create a file in surpac:

1) With information: If co-ordinates of points, angle with some reference

line…etc. is correctly known, and is used to create file.

2) Without information : when points, lines are created randomly by cursor

selection.

1) CREATING FILE WITH INFORMATION

Go to
 CREAT in the menu bar 
 Points
 Select the corresponding option of information available regarding the
 point/line.
 Entre the information available regarding the point/line
 Apply and get the point/line.

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 2) CREATING FILE WITHOUT INFORMATION

Go to * CREAT >> Digitise >> New point

 Now click on the desired position to get a point, press “Esc” to deactivate the
command.

There are more options in digitize and create >> point Tab that can be used to
create file (point, line...Etc) demonstrated as follows: -

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TO START/REACTIVATE/CLOSE/ A SEGMENT WITHIN A STRING:

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 CREATING A CIRCLE

Create >> circle by drag >>click on the desired point and drag to digitise the
circle >> entre the radius, arc distance(les
distance(lesser
ser the arc distance more smoother
the circle will be).

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 IMPORTING DATA(ADVANCE/FULL PROCESS)

Go to file >> select it and save it in .csv format to the working directory >> right
click on the working directory folder and refresh to get the .csv file.

Importing for making a string file

File >> import >> data from one file/data from many file >> window pops

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 IMPORTING FROM ONE FILE

Browse the file >> give a name to the output string file >> if the output file name
ends with numbers then entre
then  entre the no. of numbers in the ID >> give the desired
string number >> apply >> window pops >> entre the column from which Y, X
, Z, any description will be imported >>
imported >> apply and close

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 IMPORTING FROM MANY FILE

It is neede to keep the corresponding string numbers as a description and is asked

to be entered.

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 Right click on Toolbar >> scale &transparency, to increase the z scale.

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 DIGITAL TERRAIN MODEL (DTM)

DTM CONCEPT

 A DTM surface is a set of triangles which represent a surface

 To create a DTM a relative string file is must
 Even to view a DTM in Surpac window its string file must exist
 Any editing in the string file after making DTM results loosing the DTM, the
DTM is to be created again

DTM DEPENDENCIES

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DTM

DTM HIERARCHY

Object(1-32000) ----As Strings

Trisolation ---- As Segments
Triangle

WORKFLOW

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Two methods: -

1) GRAPHICS BASED METHOD

(You must display your string file on the graphics; DTM is displayed as soon as
it is being created)

2) FILE BASED METHOD

(String file need not to be displayed on the screen, DTM is formed and saved into
a file; one has the opportunity to declare Spot Heights, Break Lines)

1. GRAPHICS-BASED METHOD

1. Open string file in graphic pane

2. Surface > Create DTM from a layer 

POP UP
 APPLY

(If there are crossovers then zoom in, move points or break the segment to
remove it, then repeat the process from starting)

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B) FILE BASED METHOD

1. Open dtm file

2. Surfaces > contouring > begin contouring

POP UP
 Apply

POP UP
 continue

3. Surfaces > contouring

contouring > contouring area
area > define extents
extents

POP UP
 calculate grid mesh size > click
 Apply

POP UP
 Apply

4. Contouring > Estimate

Estimate grid values > by triangulations
triangulations

POP UP
 Browse .str file
 Field > z
 UNTICK constraint
 UNTICK ignore data from outside
 Apply

POP UP
 UNTICK constrain interpolation
 Apply

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 5. Contouring > contour grid

POP UP
 give a name
 Apply
(It will create a layer)

POP UP
 TICK smooth contour

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 POP UP
 overwrite > yes

6. Save the layer.

DTM SECTIONING

1. Parallel to Section Axis Line

2. Perpendicular to Section Axis Line
3. Oblique to Section Axis Line

Two methods
A. From DTM
B. With center line

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A)FROM DTM (perpendicular)

1. Open dtm file

2. Create > section axis using mouse

POP UP
 Make y coordinates same.
 Apply

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3. Save the dtm with different name.

4. Open saved .str file in notepad.

5. Reset graphics and open saved dtm in graphic pane

6. Surface > create section from DTM

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POP UP
  by interval
 give interval in y- axis
 give a layer name
 Apply

POP UP
 Apply

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7. Right click in right split screen > save

(To make the plane of str to the plane of dtm)

8. Reset

9. Open dtm

10.Inquire > report layer extent

11. Reset

12.Open saved str

13. Inquire > report layer extent

14. File tools > string maths

POP UP
 Browse the str file
  Name a new file
 Relate coordinates of dtm (field) with str (expression)
 Apply

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 VOLUME CALCULATION

A. Cut & fill

B.  Net volume

A)CUT
A) CUT & FILL:

(It calculates cut and fill volume with respect to a boundary)

1. Open initial dtm

2. Click edge on and then face off.

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3. Create a new layer

4. Snap mode > point

(The selected point will take position at dtm triangles)

5. Digitize a boundary inside dtm edge

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6. Zoom in and see if any point is outside of dtm there is then move in.

7. Save the new layer

8. Surface > volume > cut & fill between dtm

POP UP
 1st dtm > initial
nd
 2  dtm > final
 Boundary string > saved layer
 Click detailed report
 Report by elevation > give range
 Apply

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9. Report POP UP.

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B) NET VOLUME

(It calculates volume of initial & datum and final & datum, then net volume= 2nd
 –  1st)

1. Surface > volumes > net volumes between dtms

POP UP

 1st dtm > initial

 2nd dtm > final
 Dtm field > z
 Use a boundary string > click
 Detailed report > click
 Report by elevation > click
Give a range
 Apply

POP UP
 give a name
 Apply

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POP UP
 give a name
 Apply

Report POP UP

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TO CREATE SOLID BY INTERSECTION OF 2 DTMS

1. Surface > clip or intersect > create solids by intersecting 2 dtms

(Then same process as before, solid will be found)

2. Surface > volume > report volume of solids

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 GEOLOGICAL DATABASE

Two steps

1. Define the structure of Database

 Type of database
  No. of optional tables
 Optional fields and their types

2. Import data

 Which raw files are going to be imported

 Column no. of fields in .csv file
 You get information about errors

Different types of COMPOSITES

 Downhole composite
 Grade wise composite
 By geological constraints
 Elevation composite
 Graphical composite

Step 1

1. Open all .csv files in Excel (as collar, survey, assay, geology)

2. Database > Database > open/new

POP UP
 Give Database name let here ‘ism’
 Apply

POP UP
 Apply

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POP UP
 TICK calculated

(As data is in interval so need to calculate for each depth)

POP UP
 fill optional tables

 Assay
 Geology
 Apply

POP UP
 fill optional fields for all tables
 Assay > 1. Fe > real > nulls tick > length =10
 Assay > 2. Sio2 > real > nulls tick > length =10
 Assay > 3. Al2o3 > real > nulls tick > length =10
 Geology > lcode > character> tick nulls > mixed case
 Apply

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(If blank report then no errors in data)

Here there is error in B32 details.

2. Open assay.csv in excel & see B32.

3. Database > edit > edit table

POP UP
 Select table > assay
 Apply

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POP UP
 Field name > hole_id
 Operator > =
 Constraint value > B32

 Apply

POP UP
 correct it and then Apply

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Similarly in step 3 for geology table.

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 Macros (.tcl)

It is used to save work flow.

Very commonly use for geological database.
.tcl – 
.tcl –  tool
 tool command language

1. Reset
2. Click on start/end recording tool

(It will create .tcl file and green button start blinking means recording)

3. Perform a working.

4. Reset

5. Open .tcl file

(You can see your work)

SURPAC WORK AREA (.swa)

(To save all boreholes)

When boreholes are showing

1. File > save > graphic workspace

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POP UP
 give a name
 Apply

.swa file is saved.

2. Open it

(You see database is connected)

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 TOPOGRAPHY DTM OF BOREHOLE COLLARS

Workflow
Step-1: - Create a string file connecting all collars
Step-2: - Create dtm from it.

Step-1

1. Database > extract > drill hole layout

POP UP

 Location > let ‘dh_location’

 Apply

POP UP
 Apply

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2. Open saved .str file
(This string is connecting all collars)

Step-2

1. Surface > create dtm from a layer

POP UP
 TICK Perform break line test
 Apply

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(In message window > dtm cannot form as many break lines are found
We need to go by stop height as in file based method)

2. Surface > dtm file function

POP UP
 Browse the file
 Tick > any spot height string
 Give large range so that all points fall in it.
 Apply

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Report POP UP

(Dtm is created successfully)

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3. Open saved dtm

REPORTS

1. Database > report > drill hole log

POP UP
 File name let ‘drill_hole_log’
 Define tables as assay, geology etc
 Define corresponding optional fields as wanted in report

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  Apply

Report POP UP

2. Database > report > drill hole listing

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 Click on both segments

If error shows that due to duplicate points (distance < 0.05 m) cannot be
triangulated then

Edit > segment > clean

POP UP
 Function > duplicate points
 Action > remove
 Apply

 Now repeate the process 3

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4. Solid > triangulate > segment to a point

Click on outside point and then segment boundary

Then again select other outside point and nearest segment boundary

Save this triangulation as 3DM

Similarly make other trisolation

5. Open all saved trisolations and save main layer and name the file as Waste.dtm

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 Now we need to outer sect/intersect the solid
Here waste part is being outer-sected

1. Open ore.dtm & waste.dtm

2. Solid > solid tools > outer sect solids

POP UP
 Graphic layer name > let ‘outer1’
 Object no. > let 3
 Apply

Perform work as per message window

3. Select outersected trisolation > waste part

4. Select outersecting trisolation > ore part

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5. Save this 3DM as outer1.dtm

6. Reset

7. Open outer1.dtm

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Similarly perform the procedure to make all outers

8. Select all outer and open in graphic pane and then save main layer as
waste_modified.dtm

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3. Open saved string file in notepad

Basic statistics involved and available in SURPAC

Firstly Connect the drill hole database >> create another composite file (database
>> composite >> down hole >> give name >> write field to be composited ex.
Fe, Sio2 >> apply >>apply)

Go to Database >> analysis >> Basic statistics window (>> click on File >> load

data from string/block model file >> browse the string/block model file >> give
a name say Fe >> entre number of bins

The data should be represented into say 20 >> if want to focus/vision on certain
 particular area “go to the advance tab” otherwise tick the negative block option,
so that even negative values can be incorporated in the analysis >> Apply.

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Can display grids to go to display >> display/hide grids

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Can get the following statistical representations:

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 Now to calculate the area of ore above a particular grade:

We need to use the Partial percentage method to calculate the volume for that let
add another attribute say PP.

Go to  block model >>  estimation >>  partial percentage >> window pops,
constraint type 3DM, browse PP, precision 3, browse ore.dtm, tick the Inside
option >> apply >> save the block model.

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 Now go to  block model >> block model >> report >> give name, check the
constraint option >> apply >> browse the attribute say Fe, check the vol.
adjustment option, select PP, in density adjustment select s.g (specific gravity),
if want to get bench wise/between particular heights/R.L use grouping attribute
and add the attribute say Z and limit say 650, 900, 10 add another say Fe and
limit say 50,70,5 etc..>> Constraint window select constraint in type and browse
ore.con >> apply and get a report of bench wise and grade wise volume.

Block model >>  block model >> export >>  block centroid and dimension to
string file >> choose format, check constraint report, give name, output block
attribute tick some option and browse Fe >> constraint window again add ore. con
>> apply and get the string file.

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161
 CREATING DTM FROM A BLOCK MODEL

Block model >> export >> block surfaces to dtm

SLICE PLAN

Block model >> section >> create >> choose perpendicular to that axis in which
one can find more symmetry/succession of no. of holes say perpendicular to z
axis, range, click on define to get total no. of sections that will be created >>
apply.

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 PLOTTING

Surpac enables taking a plot of whatever present in the graphical pane

irrespective of the plane and orientation of the work.

Open the file >> plotting >> auto plot >>enter the preferred sheet size, adjust the
sheet layouts such as scale, orientation etc... (Keep the work in XY plane) >>
apply >> in the plotting window for putting symbols/text etc... Create >> choose
the options.

For taking plot of DTM plotting >> auto plot >> enter all the sheet details but in
 plot data contents options select Raster data render surfaces >> apply.

 One can create one’s own title block in the plotting sheets plotting first
create an empty structure
 go to plotting sheet setup >> modify the sheet as needed by the options on
the menu bar of this plotting window >> apply

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  Now go to Drawing areas >> new >> browse the file, give a name >> apply

 grids >> new >> give grid ID >> apply

 Title block  >> new >> give id, browse the plot sheet >> give the offsets as
 per need following a co-ordinate system, create the horizontal/vertical lines for
title and other heads (>> create >> horizontal/vertical/text >> apply) >> save.

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 Now to plot/import the work on the prepared plot sheet structure go to  plotting
>> auto plot >> browse the sheet, grid, border, title block all that has been created
in the above step >> apply.

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 SURVEY DATABASE

Go to survey >> survey database >> new >> give name >> apply >> add the
survey station information tab >> apply >> get all information >> apply

An empty database is created now to import the files:

Survey >> station >> insert record >> apply >> apply >> insert the values, level
area (STNC), copy Y value and paste, in station type Surface, add rows and insert
other station ID and information >> apply.

Survey >> data recorder  >> select SOKKIA.SDR33 >> select data recorder 
function >> browse file >> apply >>apply >> string file is created along with
database.

So a string file can be created by importing raw data directly from the total station
and other equipments.
Survey >> station >> display station from database  >> select level area in the
field type >> apply >> apply.

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This shows the stations from the database.
To create a plan map:
Go to plotting >> map >> new map >> browse the .str file, fill all the other heads
>> apply

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Plotting >> process >> browse the file edited/modified/created in the last step,
enter the XY intervals, scale, sheet size and fill all the other heads >> apply >>
give title >> apply >> enter  the grid interval X& Y >> apply.

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