In the Phases step, the user is prompted to create/import phases for later reference in the project. Note that the names and order of the phases in the entire project are specified in this step. Make sure that the phases are added, named and listed correctly.
Each phase is defined by a closed master solid. Pit solids must be closed (NOT open pit designs).
Importing Solids
You can import from a file, layer, or a third-party package.
Importing from Layer(s)
If you have precreated closed solids listed in the Layers panel, import them as Phases by pressing the Grid icon and selecting relevant solids.
Simple way to check whether the layers is closed solid or not is to report its volume via Tools > Report Volume (on the right). Designs don’t have volume and cannot be used as phases.
Importing from File(s)
To import phases from File(s), press the Folder icon and specify a path to the folder where closed solids are stored.
When importing solids from another software, supported file formats are:
.00t (Vulcan)
.dtm (Surpac)
.dxf (AutoCAD)
.msr (MineSight)
.obj (Wavefront)
.tridb (Micromine)
If you do not have closed pit solids, refer to the Solid Lab tab section to generate them from designs.
Checking for Overlaps
Use the vertical Z-Plane slider (between the solid list and the 3D viewport) to check for overlaps between the phase solids.
Overlaps are marked with a red and white hatch pattern. Theses are a problem when material is included in multiple phases leading to double counting of tonnes – this must be fixed. So each block is mined only once.
In the image below see that the same area is used for 2 different purposes: first Pit1 is mined out, then the area is used as a backfill. The block is mined once, the area is then available to backfill with waste, meaning correct and valid overlapping of solids (candy-cane pattern).
To avoid double-counting tonnes in an overlap, revert to the Solid Lab and use the Subtract Solids function to clean up the data.
Updating Solids
To update the solid for a given phase, click in the Solid dropdown and select Geometry from File or from Layer.
When updating solids, avoid deleting them and adding new ones, as it will prompt you to re-populate phases details and other settings. Always re-import solids to update phases, instead of deleting them.
Phases Order
To change the order the phases appear in the software, type in the priority order in the Order column, or select a Phase and reposition it using the blue up/down arrows. You can also drag selected solid within the phases list and drop it to the location pointed by the blue arrow.
One you are satisfied with the phases, press blue play button to proceed to the next step.