The surface files on MiningMath are a set of points (Figure 1), which are aligned with blocks centroids on X and Y axes (Figure 2). The easiest way to avoid any error message is by using a topography surface created by MiningMath on the Data Validation, for instance, and then manipulating only the Z coordinates.

Usually, the designed surfaces on traditional mining CADs are based on contour/drawn lines and point triangularizations (Figures 3 and 4). Therefore, they are continuous figures which can not be recognized on MiningMath.

Here, it's the step-by-step to create surfaces on MiningMath:

• 1. Import the TopographySurface.csv (Figure 5), which is a grid of points, in the CAD of your Mining Package. The CSV file mentioned might be obtained by validating scenarios or any other execution on MiningMath.

  2. Manipulate only the Z coordinates and project them in a way that fits your needs. There are 3 main options at this step:

     • Use a polyline (Figure 6) to draw the region, select the points inside the polygon drew, and find the option on your Mining Package which allows you to place them at the elevation that you want.

     • Use your triangularized designed surface (Figure 7) by placing it on your CAD viewer along the TopographySurface.csv generated by MiningMath. Select the point set imported in your CAD and find the option on your Mining Package which allows you to project all points at the same elevation of your designed surface (Figure 8).

     • Using only Excel or any spreadsheet program. Open the TopographySurface.csv, filter the regions in X and Y that you want to change the elevation and manipulate them.

  3. Export the modified point set (Figure 9) as a CSV using a different name. Open the file on excel or the notepad to make sure that the header is correct (Figure 10) before importing on MiningMath since it is pretty common that these exported come along with meaningless information that can interfere with the importation.