Stoping Limit and Shape Optimizer (SLSO)

GeoMine Stopemizer is a stoping limit and minable shape optimization tool for underground mine planning. Given a block model and a set of engineering and economic parameters, Stopemizer creates an optimal stoping boundary and then mineable shapes (stope shapes and/or pillar shapes). Stopemizer uses 3D triangulation to guide stope positioning and sizing, subject to min/max stope sizes, min and max dip angles, as well as gradient path or surface constraints.

Applicability: Stopemizer is applicable to underground mines using any stoping method. For room & pillar or room & bord mining method, please checkout our FSO (Flat Shape Optimizer) module. For block caving or sub-level caving, please check out our Cavemizer module.

Stopemizer Key Benefits (4H)

High Performance: Optimizations are done interactively and usually takes within minutes to complete, affording what-if-analyses.
High Accuracy: Using 3D triangulation (as opposed to blocks or sub-blocks) to guide stope positioning and sizing
High Fitness: Choice of five (5) shape profile templates to minimize dilutions for narrow vein deposits
High Flexibility: In addition to internal constraints (min/max stope sizes and dip angles), Stopemizer accepts external constraints, such as distance and gradient constraints.

Stopemizer Feature List

Stoping Limit Optimizer sub-module:

Automatically determines the optimal stoping limit (3D triangulation) that maximize total profit for a given block model using custom formulae.

Optionally uses any user–defined 3D triangulation as the stoping limit (particularly beneficial for narrow vein deposits)

Support for Minable Shapes with Irregular profiles extending to cover the full extent of the orebody width.

Mineable Shape Optimizer sub-module:

Automatically creates regular minable shapes (stope shapes and/or pillar shapes) or DAMS (Dynamic Anisotropic Mineable Shapes) from a stoping limit, subject to internal constraints such as min/max stope sizes, min/max wall angles, max strike deviation, dilution threshold, average stope cutoff grade or minimum stope profit.

Provides five shape templates that supports convex or concave shape profiles with 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 control points.

Supports variable level height.

Supports optional rib and/or sill pillars.

Ability to specify a gradient path or surface constraint to ensure the auto-generated minable shapes meet the dewatering compliance and standards.

Ability to create a single slice stope shapes for narrow vein orebodies.

Ability to force shapes that are smaller than the minimum to be minable.

Option to make rib pillars recoverable with pillar shapes.

Option to create non-recoverable level pillars.

Option for manual creation and editing of individual stope shapes.

Optionally uses dynamic paths (polylines or 3D open mesh) to further enhance stope positioning and sizing for narrow vein deposits.

External positional and exclusion constraints, such as minimum distance to faults and existing excavations, can be used to further confine the optimization process.

Both hanging-wall and foot-wall trough angles can be used to reduce dilution.

Note that this module requires both Stopemizer and uCAD licenses.