PS Expand

Expand dependencies act on solids in adjacent flitches or benches. Solids in the lower elevation are dependent on the solids in the higher elevation.

Expand step overview

The Expand Distance works by taking the polygonal boundary of a solid, expanding it by the nominated distance, and checking for any unfinished activities on the elevation above that are within that area.

A positive expand distance forces a minimum running track between crests and toes.
A zero expand distance allows vertical walls*.
A negative expand distance allows under-cutting the bench above by that amount.

*A zero expand distance technically allows vertical walls, but a value of (-1) or (-5) tends to get a better result. It gives the engine a bit more freedom to mine blocks that have tiny overlaps.

Side view of the Expand Distance logic

Populate multiple values in the Expand Distance column in meters or press black cross button to clear related.

There are two types of solids in Production Scheduler: blast solids and dig solids. The scope for which the expand distance exists depends on the solid type. Each activity has its own set of Expand dependencies.

Expand Distance Type	Description

Expand Distance Type

Description

BlastSolid Expand Distance (m)

Takes the polygon of a blast solid and expands. If the expanded polygon intersects any unmined blasts on the bench above, the dig solids in the blast cannot be mined.

DigSolid Expand Distance Within Blast (m)

Takes the polygon of a dig solid and expands. If the expanded polygon intersects any unmined dig blocks in the same blast and in the flitch above, then the dig solid cannot be mined.

DigSolid Expand Distance Across Blasts (m)

Takes the polygon of a dig solid and expands. If the expanded polygon intersects any unmined dig blocks in any blast in the flitch above, then the dig solid cannot be mined.