This video demonstrates how to design an open pit for seam deposits using K-MINE’s dynamic design module. The workflow starts with two inputs: the upper pit crest and the seam floor surface, both generated directly from the seam block model. We cover top-down pit shell creation, haul road placement with configurable ramp parameters, and applying topographic and seam floor surfaces as upper and lower constraints. The final outputs include a solid that precisely follows the seam floor geometry and a merged wireframe ready for further project use. This approach is applicable to coal, manganese, and other stratified deposits where the pit bottom follows an irregular seam surface.
Video transcription
Open Pit Design for Seam Deposits in K-MINE
Welcome to our channel. In this video, we walk through new capabilities in the dynamic design module using a seam deposit project as our example. With the latest updates, this workflow is now simpler and more intuitive than ever.
Setting Up Pit Crest and Seam Floor Inputs
We start with two key inputs: the upper crest of the designed pit and the floor of the lower seam. Both are easy to derive from existing data. For instance, you can generate a seam floor or roof directly from the seam block model with a single command.
We set the design direction to top down and assign the pit crest to the target bench level. The first pass creates an initial pit shell without haul roads. Notice that part of the design extends below the project wireframe. That's exactly what we want — it helps demonstrate the new functionality.
Adding Haul Roads to the Pit Design
Now let's add haul roads. Their layout isn't critical at this stage, so we'll keep it arbitrary. The important thing to remember is the full range of tools available in the design plugin: flat sections, individual ramp parameters, and plenty of commands to fine-tune the result.
After the build, we can see the haul roads reach the seam floor and intersect below it. This is not a problem. That portion will be trimmed automatically. We'll leave it as is.
Applying Topographic and Seam Floor Constraints
To make the result more illustrative, we'll use a topographic surface as the upper constraint and the lower seam floor as the bottom constraint. The project will be bounded by these two surfaces. Everything above the topography and below the seam floor gets cut off.
Generating the Final Solid and Wireframe
Now we generate the final outputs. Let's start with the solid. It accurately represents the designed volume and can be used for whatever your project requires. As you can see, the base of the solid follows the seam floor precisely.
Next, we build the resulting wireframe and review it. The project matches our design intent — a clean combination of the design geometry, actual surface data, and bounding constraints.
Bench-by-Bench Refinement for Seam Deposits
If needed, you can refine the project further using a step-by-step approach, building bench by bench as you work toward the pit bottom. In this case, the goal is to extract the maximum volume of material needed to fully mine the lower seam.
Try this approach when designing pits with a constrained bottom and share your experience with us. Good luck with K-MINE.