Surpac Software Course

Lesson 1 • Setting Up a New Project

Covers coordinate system setup, project folders, and initial configuration. Correct project setup prevents data errors in all downstream workflows.

Lesson 2 • File Types and Data Structures

Explains Surpac-native file formats and how data is organised. Understanding these structures is essential before importing or creating any dataset.

Lesson 3 • Overview of Surpac in Mining

Establishes Surpac's purpose in open-pit and underground mining operations. Connects software capabilities to real-world geological and mine planning tasks.

Lesson 1 • Understanding String Geometry

Defines points, segments, and strings as Surpac's fundamental 2D geometry objects. This foundation underpins all drafting and surface modelling tasks.

Lesson 2 • Creating and Editing Strings

Teaches manual digitising, point entry, and editing tools for string geometry. These skills are applied directly in geological mapping and pit design.

Lesson 3 • Importing and Exporting 2D Data

Demonstrates data exchange between Surpac and external CAD or GIS platforms. Interoperability skills are critical for multi-software project environments.

Lesson 4 • Applying Layers and Attributes

Covers layer management and attribute assignment for organised drafting. Proper layering enables efficient data filtering and professional output.

Lesson 1 • Volume Calculations Between Surfaces

Teaches cut-and-fill volume computation between two DTMs. Accurate volumes are essential for mine scheduling and earthworks reporting.

Lesson 2 • DTM Concepts and Data Sources

Explains triangulated surface theory and the data types used to build DTMs. Understanding input quality directly affects model accuracy.

Lesson 3 • DTM Editing and Refinement

Addresses common surface errors and correction techniques for clean models. Refined DTMs are required before volume or design calculations.

Lesson 4 • Contouring and Surface Analysis

Generates contour lines and slope maps from DTMs for geological interpretation. These outputs feed directly into pit design and reporting.

Lesson 1 • Importing Drillhole Data

Covers CSV and spreadsheet import workflows for populating drillhole tables. Correct import mapping prevents data misalignment in 3D visualisation.

Lesson 2 • Drillhole Desurveying Methods

Explains minimum curvature, tangential, and other desurveying algorithms. Choosing the correct method affects the spatial accuracy of drillhole traces.

Lesson 3 • Drillhole Database Structure

Defines collar, survey, and assay tables and their relational structure. A correctly structured database is the prerequisite for all geological modelling.

Lesson 4 • Data Validation and QA/QC

Applies built-in validation tools to detect errors in collar coordinates, surveys, and assays. Clean data is mandatory before geological interpretation begins.

Lesson 1 • Exporting Solids for Downstream Use

Prepares validated solids for export to estimation and design workflows. Correct export formats ensure compatibility with block modelling and pit design tools.

Lesson 2 • Solid Validation and Editing

Applies solid validation tools to detect open edges, overlaps, and geometry errors. Valid solids are required for accurate block model coding.

Lesson 3 • Building 3D Wireframe Solids

Covers triangulation of interpreted strings into closed 3D wireframe solids. Wireframes define the spatial extent of geological domains for estimation.

Lesson 4 • Fault and Structural Modelling

Models fault planes and structural discontinuities as separate wireframe objects. Structural models constrain geological domain boundaries in complex deposits.

Lesson 1 • Compositing Drillhole Data

Prepares drillhole assay data through compositing for use in grade estimation. Consistent composite lengths reduce length-weighting bias in interpolation.

Lesson 2 • Grade Estimation Methods

Applies inverse distance weighting and nearest neighbour estimation to block models. Students compare methods and assess their suitability for different deposit types.

Lesson 3 • Coding Blocks with Geological Solids

Assigns rock type and domain codes to blocks using validated wireframe solids. Domain coding is the foundation for domain-specific grade estimation.

Lesson 4 • Block Model Validation

Validates estimated grades using visual checks, swath plots, and global statistics. Validation confirms model reliability before resource classification.

Lesson 1 • Reporting Pit Design Volumes

Calculates ore and waste volumes from the designed pit using block model queries. Volume reports feed directly into mine scheduling and financial modelling.

Lesson 2 • Pit Design Fundamentals

Introduces geotechnical parameters, bench geometry, and inter-ramp angles for pit design. These parameters define the physical constraints of all pit shells.

Lesson 3 • Ramp and Access Road Design

Designs haul road ramps within the pit shell using gradient and width constraints. Ramp geometry directly affects haulage efficiency and equipment selection.

Lesson 4 • Creating Pit Shells from DTMs

Generates pit outlines by expanding benches from a starting surface using design parameters. Pit shells form the spatial boundary for mine scheduling.

Lesson 1 • Integrating Surface and Underground Designs

Combines open pit and underground models to identify conflicts and transition zones. Integration ensures safe and efficient combined mining operations.

Lesson 2 • Underground Design Principles

Covers drive dimensions, stope geometry, and infrastructure layout for underground mines. These principles govern all subsequent underground design tasks in Surpac.

Lesson 3 • Stope Design and Optimisation

Designs stope outlines within ore solids and evaluates dilution and recovery. Stope geometry directly determines ore extraction efficiency.

Lesson 4 • Designing Development Drives

Creates drive strings and extrudes them into 3D solids using standard cross-sections. Drive solids are used for volume reporting and ventilation planning.