TS. On Bench

Owned by iarmstrong
Nov 30, 2021
4 min read

Setup step On Bench dependencies allow the user to set dependencies between blocks on a bench/lift. There are options to use automatic dependencies, manually created dependencies, or a combination of the two.

Example ramp point (green) marking the drop-in point on the 750 bench for Reserves planning
Example Starter Lines (pink) marking on the 820 dump lift for Dumps planning

Creating On Bench dependencies on dumps reduces processing time.

Auto Rule Type

Every bench in the project has an Auto Rule Type which determines automatic dependency creation. The following options are available to choose from every tree level dropdown.

None

No automatic dependencies will be created; the blocks may be mined in any order

Bearing

Dependencies will be created pointing the opposite of direction specified, with more than one block is available at once

Bearing Strict

Dependencies will be assigned such that the blocks will be released to honour the direction specified, while only one block will be available at once

Branching

Dependencies will be created branching out from the start point(s) created by the user, while more than one block will be available at once.

Branching Strict

Dependencies will be assigned such that only one block is available at once and will be extracted in order of shortest distance from the starting point

Blasts

Same as "Branching", but the start points include any blocks marked as ramp shots, and dependencies for trim shots are automatically created. Both "AND" and "OR" dependency types are supported (see below).

Blasts Strict

Same as "Blasts", but only one block is available at any one time

Previous

Uses the dependencies assigned on the lift below or flitch above

To clear dependencies right click at the bench or parent level and select an option from the dropdown.

Draw Dependencies

Press the Draw Dependencies icon to drag manual dependencies between blocks. Select a block to start drawing - it will be shown in yellow.

Dependencies can also be created by clicking the successor, clicking all predecessors, and then clicking back on the successor to finish. 

Delete Manual Dependencies

Manual dependencies can be deleted by selecting the red arrow (will be shown in yellow) and pressing the Delete button as shown below.

Clear Automatic Dependencies

Automatic dependencies can be removed by selecting the block(s) and pressing the Remove Auto Dependencies button. Excluded from AutoDependencies blocks will appear shaded dark grey (as per the Legend).

Restore Automatic Dependencies

Automatic dependencies can be restored by selecting the block(s) and pressing the Restore Auto Dependencies button.

Restore automatic dependencies by mine/pit/stage

  • Right click at any level in the tree hierarchy.

  • Select "Clear Removal from Automatic Dependencies".

Reset currently selected rule

You can reset currently selected rule by pressing stop button. Note that this action will reset manual dependencies as well. Press YES in Reset Rule window if you want to proceed.

Bearing rule

When selecting options "Bearing" or "Bearing Strict" from the tree level element dropdown in the toolbar above viewport two new commands will appear.

Setting the mining direction on a bench

  1. Expand the tree hierarchy to the bench level.

  2. Double click the Name column to center the data.

  3. Set the Auto Rule Type to "Bearing" using dropdown.

  4. Click the Choose Direction button above the viewport.

  5. Click and drag to set the bearing in the viewport (<ESC> to abort). 

Alternatively you may manually type bearing angle required or set it by 15° paces in a numeric field on the left to the compass icon.

You may also set necessary mining direction in a dialog appearing by pressing gear icon next to tree level dropdown.

Setting the mining direction for entire mine/pit/stage

  • Select any level in the tree hierarchy.

  • Click the gear icon to the right of the Auto Rule Type.

  • Enter a mining direction and press OK.

"AND" and "OR" dependencies types

Dependency Type

Logical Function

Example

Explanation

Dependency Type

Logical Function

Example

Explanation

"AND"

Returns TRUE if all of the conditions evaluate to TRUE

In this example:

  • Selected and highlighted in yellow Blast 3008 will only be mined after blocks 36 AND 106 have been mined.

"OR"

Returns TRUE if any condition evaluates to TRUE

In this example:

  • Mining on the selected and highlighted in yellow  Blast  109 can begin after mining any of the blocks pointing to it with blue arrows (114 OR 107 OR 105 OR 106).

To change the dependency type:

  • Select the applicable dependency type from the dropdown list for the level on the left.

  • Toggle the Dependency Type button (the last one in the toolbar).