Frequently Asked Question

Name: Classifying Estimated Blocks (Measured, Indicated,

Inferred)
Applies to: Surpac

Knowledge Base ID:

Publish Date:
Last Review Date:
Category
Sub-Category

KB20082
24/03/2014
24/03/2014
TI
Application

Overview:
This article provides a procedure to classify estimated blocks as measured, indicated or inferred using
Surpac. The article uses a common method of classification based around the range determined from a
semi-variogram. Other classification methods are available, and care should be taken in selecting an
appropriate classification criteria.
A number of pre-requisite stages and files are required for the successful implementation of this
procedure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

A drillhole database containing commodity grade values.

A valid ore body solid model.
A composite string file of the commodity grades within the ore body solid.
The composited data to be used is assumed to be domained and topcut for outliers if necessary.
A block model with an associated constraint file to display blocks within the ore body solid.
Variogram analysis has been undertaken and the search parameters for geostatistical
interpolation have been defined.

Refer to article KB20040 for methodologies on how to create any of the pre-requisite files required.
Resolution:
Follow these steps:
1.

Load the block model displaying blocks constrained inside the ore body solid in to Graphics.

2.
3.

Select Block Model > Attributes > New.

Add the following attributes:
a. An attribute to host the estimated commodity grades. Gold by an inverse distance
estimation technique in this example.
b. An attribute to host the specific gravity values for tonnage calculations.
c. A character attribute called class to label the blocks as either measured, indicated or
inferred.

4.

Choose Block model > Attributes > View attributes for one block and select a block to
confirm the block attributes have been created.

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5.
6.

Choose Block model > Estimation > Inverse distance or whichever estimation technique is
to be used.
Select the option to run the block estimation using the composite string file of your commodity
values. Select the newly created attribute to fill that was created for this purpose; gold_id2 in
this example.

7.

Enter the search parameters determined from your semi-variogram analysis.

8.

Enter the desired Inverse Distance Power and Number of Discretization Points. Enter a file name
for the report.

9.

The estimation will be constrained within the ORE1.CON constraint file. After Apply is selected the
estimation will run and the report will be generated.

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10. The class will be assigned by using Block Model > Estimation > Assign Values. Select the
Attribute created to hold the classes and the desired class to be the smallest Range.

11. The assignment will be blocks within ORE1.CON and for which the estimated number is not the
default value of -1. This will only change the class for the blocks which were estimated in the last
set of steps.

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12. A block model report listing the Classes within the blocks will show that the material is now
broken into Measured and Unknown.

13. Now repeat the estimation step with the middle range, for the Indicated Class. The Inverse
Distance Estimation steps will all be the same except for the Search Radii.

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14. It is only desirable to change blocks which were not estimated in the previous run. To accomplish
this, the constraint below will need to be added.

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15. Similarly, for the Class assignment the constraint will need to be added so that it does not
overwrite the Measured label.

16. Verify the results with another block model report showing the classes. There will now be three
rows for Measured, Indicated and Unknown.

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17. A final run will need to be performed for the Inferred material. Again, the only difference in the
run itself is the search Radii.

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18. Once again, an additional constraint will need to be added so that it does not overwrite the
Measured or Indicated results.

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19. Use Block Model > Estimation > Assign Value to write the value of Inferred to the block
model, adding a constraint below to ensure neither the Measured nor Indicated are overwritten.

20. Finally, run one last block model report to ensure that all four classes of material are showing up
and properly coded. The assignment and how it affects the model can be displayed using
BlockModel > Display > Colour Block Model by Attribute, and colouring the model by the
Class attribute.

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If smaller ranges are used and the procedure was followed correctly there should be a clumping
affect around the data points and drillholes. If larger ranges are using (so that the range can
capture several drillholes) it may instead resemble more the layers of an onion.

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