Geological Modeling and Resource Estimation
GeoMine GeoModeler (GeoModeler), the mining and exploration industry’s high-performance 3D geological software tool for resource modeling and estimation, is engineered to model and visualize large and complex deposits. Underpinning GeoModeler is its innovative 2-in-1 hybrid modeling kernel that supports both 3D Block Modeling with Sub-blocking and 2D Gridded Seam Modeling (GSM) schemes (note that the GSM module requires a separate license).
Expanding on GeoMine’s legacy of supporting a big block model universe (2^19 x 2^19 x 2^19), GeoMine 6.5.x now boasts a 2^40 x 2^40 x 2^40 block model universe, an astronomical size that is unheard of up until now.
Traditional 3D Block Modeling software has difficulty handling gridded seam models where model extent in the XY plane can be orders of magnitude larger than the Z-extent (e.g., phosphate or coal seam deposits). Hence, a separate GSM-based package is usually called for. With GeoModeler, this is no longer the case, as both modeling schemes are supported simultaneously.
In addition to the hybrid modeling kernel, GeoModeler also sports a state-of-the-art Dynamic Anisotropy interpolation system that allows the search volume to be calibrated to follow the mineralization trend precisely. It is an ideal tool for preparing accurate resource estimates as input to subsequent mine design optimizations. To learn more about the DA system provided by GeoModeler, please refer to the following article, “Dynamic Anisotropy – What is it and why should you care?”.
The latest additions to GeoModeler’s tool chest are Fault Network Modeling and Unfaulting for Unfaulted Interpolation of Faulted Deposits and Unfolding for Unfolded Interpolation of Folded Deposits.
Unfaulting, in the context of geological modeling and resource estimation, is a space transformation and partitioning technique that transforms drillhole composites back to their unfaulted space. The interpolation happens in the unfaulted space, and the interpolated blocks are then transformed back into the faulted space. This technique is best suited for faulted deposits where the fault network was formed after the orebody had been deposited. Since the orebody is assumed to have existed prior to faulting, interpolation in the unfaulted space would tend to result in a more accurate resource estimate.
Unfolding is a space transformation technique that transforms composites and block models into flattened spaces. The interpolation happens in the flattened space, and the interpolated block attributes are then transformed back to the original (folded) space. This technique is best suited for a folded orebody where it was folded due to tectonic pressure after it had been deposited. Since attributes are assumed to have existed prior to folding, interpolation in unfolded space would tend to result in a more accurate resource estimate.
In summary, GeoModeler is a comprehensive geological software tool that natively supports both 3D Block Modeling with Sub-blocking and 2D Gridded Seam Modeling schemes with both implicit modeling (RBF and Dynamic Anisotropic RBF) and explicit modeling (Dynamic Anisotropic Kriging, SGS and IDW), Unfaulting and Unfolding) techniques.
GeoModeler Key Benefits
- Accurate：Dynamic Anisotropy, Unfaulting, Unfolding and a combination of these techniques afford the geologist to perform more accurate resource estimations.
- Powerful：Features a 2-in-1 hybrid modeling kernel that is capable of modeling any types and shapes of deposits with either explicit (Dynamic Anisotropic Inverse Distance, Kriging and SGS) or implicit modeling (Dynamic Anisotropic RBF) methods.
- Easy-to-Use：Interactive WYSIWYG 3D block modeling or gridded seam modeling on commodity laptops with an integrated, non-blocking interface.
- Flexible: Includes a powerful Visual Formula Editor for customization, plus all common surface, solid and block model manipulation tools in the Foundation module of GeoMine.
- Supportive：Tailored training and professional services to customize our software to suit your deposit.
GeoModeler Feature List
DrillHole Submodule
Imports assays, attributes (categorical or continuous) and geological structures, including faults; Desurveys drillholes with choices of 5 Desurvey algorithms; Composites and color-codes drillholes by lithology, attributes or assays; Creates custom DDH attributes as input to subsequent block model interpolations; Creates planned drillholes for drilling planning.
Option to filter or merge composites with a user defined formula.
3D Block Modeling with Sub-Blocking
Models vein or seam type deposits with non-axis aligned Mine North and non-axis aligned block models; model large deposits with a huge block model universe (2^40 x 2^40 x 2^40); Models disseminated multi-orebody deposits with multiple block models in a single GeoModeler session; Creates block model masks for open-pit deposits; Creates and assigns user-defined attributes to block models with a visual formula/scripting editor; Manually assigns rock code to parts of a block model using a solid mesh; Includes integrated Block Model Reconciliation.
2D Gridded Seam Modeling (requires a GSM Modeler license)
Creates Gridded Seam Models (GSMs) from drillholes; Resource estimation for GSMs; Performs Margin Ranking on GSMs; Converts GSMs to Block Models for Lerchs- Grossmann pit optimization for deeply inclined multi-seam GSMs.
Implicit Modeling
Automatically creates rock type wireframes using Dynamic Anisotropic RBF; Creates grade shells using Dynamic Anisotropic RBF to evaluate what-if scenarios quickly.
Explicit Modeling
Manual Orebody Wireframing: Create orebody outlines on parallel cross sections and then join them together to form orebody wireframes.
Interpolate wireframes using Dynamic Anisotropic Inverse Distance Power, Kriging or SGS interpolation methods.
3D Variogram Modeling
Models anisotropy with 3D per-mesh variograms and non-axis aligned ellipsoidal search radii.
Automatic batch mode experimental variogram generation using CPU or GPU to find the best variograms to use among thousands of possible choices.
Option to auto-fit theoretical variograms to experimental variograms.
Fault Network Modeling
Creates normal faults, reverse faults, strike-slip faults or combinations of the above fault types; Creates and manages fault networks with finite or infinite faults; Uses fault networks for unfaulted interpolation of faulted deposits.
Interpolation Submodule
Interpolates block model grades with high-performance Inverse Distance Power, Anisotropic RBF (Radial Basis Functions), Nearest Neighbor and multi-threaded Kriging methods (simple, ordinary and SGS, i.e., Sequential Gaussian Simulation) with or without geological domains and/or automatic normalization; Includes options to use unfaulting and dynamic anisotropy or unfolding for more accurate resource estimates.
Options to perform stochastic orebody simulations using SGS by generating multiple block model realizations of the same orebody in a single run.
Data Analysis & Block Model Validations
Automatic assay capping using decile analysis; Creates distribution bar charts and curves for drillhole lengths, assays, composites and block models; Validates block models using Histogram Comparison Plot, Q-Q & P-P plots and Swath plots.
Resource Classification and Resource Reporting
Classifies and exports estimated blocks into measured, indicated and inferred categories for public reporting;
Advanced classification and custom report generation with ThreeDify’s formula-based Block Model Report Generator. Classification criteria include any combination of Kriging Variance, DNC (Distance to Nearest Composite), MDC (Mean Distance to Closest Composites), # of nearby samples and # of nearby drill holes, etc..
Import DDHs
Imports drillholes as separate objects in CSV or Microsoft Access database format (*.mdb).
Ability to import a large number (>10000) of blast holes as a single drill hole collection object for performance.
DA or Unfolding Surface Creation
Creates Dynamic Anisotropy (DA) surfaces (either manually or automatically from a wireframe) for use in DA or Unfolded Interpolations.
Topography/Geo-Surface Submodule
Creates gridded topographical or geological surfaces from drillhole collars, categorical attributes, block models and/or an imported 2.5D mesh.
GIS Intergation
Plots drill holes and property lines on the Google or Bing map
System Requirements:
CPU: Quad Core
RAM: 8gb
HARD DRIVE: 500gb SSD
VIDEO CARD: 1gb VRAM
CPU: 3rd Gen Ryzen 5/7 or Intel i7
RAM: 16gb
HARD DRIVE: 1tb SSD
VIDEO CARD: 2gb VRAM
