Step-by-Step Contour Design in the K-MINE Dynamic Design Tool

Introduction to Dynamic Pit Design in K-MINE

In this video, we walk through advanced capabilities of the K-MINE Dynamic Design tool for open pit mine design. The updated workflow is more flexible, easier to control, and much clearer on screen, helping mining engineers build precise, engineering grade pits directly in 3D.

Creating Contours From Multiple Wireframes

We start by creating contours from several wireframes at once. In this example, the wireframes represent ore bodies modeled as solids. For contour creation in Dynamic Design, it does not matter how many wireframes you select or whether they are closed solids or surfaces. K-MINE automatically processes the selected geological wireframes and prepares them for pit outline generation.

Setting Levels and the First Closed Contour

Next, select the elevation levels you plan to work with and create one closed contour to correctly orient the bottom of the future open pit. The best command for this step is contour creation with magnetic snapping, which locks vertices to the ore body or other design elements.

When the contour is at the required elevation, activate it using the command that automatically detects its Z position and sets it as a baseline in the levels list. This ensures every subsequent bench or level is built from a correctly defined reference contour.

Controlling Bench Generation Level by Level

If you clear the checkbox for building the next level, the tool will generate only one level instead of the whole stack. This lets you adjust that individual level exactly where needed without creating extra objects or clutter.

This approach works for any level in the list. Select the target level you want to build to, then clear the checkbox after it. You get precise control over each bench or ramp elevation and can repeat specific conditions whenever they are required, for example when following complex ore body geometry or geotechnical constraints.

Step-by-Step Road Design in the Same Environment

The same logic applies to haul road design. Add a road with the required parameters such as road width, gradient, and turning radius. The auto build process will stop at the specified elevation, allowing you to construct haul ramps bench by bench.

Repeat these steps until you reach a location where the automatic build needs an adjustment, for example near pit exits, switchbacks, or local slope changes. At that point, intervene using the Edit Project command.

In baseline editing mode, you can nudge control points directly in 3D space or use the standard design commands of the K-MINE open pit design module. This lets you refine ramps and berms while staying inside a single integrated design environment.

Unified Workspace for All Design Operations

One of the key advantages of K-MINE is that all modules, commands, and operations run inside a single workspace. You do not need to switch applications when moving between contour design, road design, and other mine planning tasks. Geological models, pit geometries, and infrastructure are all edited together, improving consistency across the mine plan.

Step-by-Step Solid Creation and 3D Validation

The step-by-step approach also applies to solid creation. At any time, you can display the pit solid to assess the design in 3D, overlay additional layers such as geological models, block models, or geotechnical zones, and verify that the pit geometry respects all mining constraints.

This workflow is especially useful when you need to reproduce a complex ore body shape, match historical or permitted pit outlines, or create a unique pit configuration that balances slope angles, strip ratio, and production requirements.

Building Engineering Grade Pits

By combining controlled level generation, flexible road design, and interactive solid creation, the K-MINE Dynamic Design tool helps engineers build engineering grade open pits without cluttering the workspace. You can refine each contour, bench, and haul road segment exactly where it matters, validate the result in 3D, and achieve a practical, safe, and production ready pit design.

Most importantly, this step-by-step workflow lets you consistently produce high quality open pit designs that follow ore body geometry, respect geotechnical limits, and support efficient mine planning and scheduling.