The Carlson Geology Module is a mining add-on to AutoCAD for the complete geologic modeling package. The process from importing drillholes, validating the data and modeling the ore to reserve calculation is seamless. Other factors such as 3D viewing of the drillholes and blocks, cross sections and queries are part of the process for the geologist to accurately represent the ore body for mining.

Drillholes: Drillholes may be imported for grid and/or block modeling. Drillholes can be stored in the dwg, or linked to an external database. The Geology Module can import nearly any known ASCII drillhole format, as well as almost 30 fixed drillhole formats from other companies and programs, utilizing almost any type of data.

Queries, reports, and parameter compliance filters start the modeling process for accurate model representation. Quality attribute equations of unlimited parameters coupled with unlimited grid sizes and resolutions produce a detailed model of any size. Drillholes can be stored in the drawing database, or linked to an external database of choice such as Microsoft Access or even Excel.

Drillholes can be both angled and vertical, and inspected real-time with the drillhole inspector, which displays chosen values as the cursor is moved from hole to hole. Drillhole correlation and fence diagrams are readily developed with automated macros to update the strata names. Strata within several geologic columns can be selected, named and correlated leading to dynamic updating of the corresponding drillholes in the database. Even when you post drillhole text in plan view, the labels are user-defined. Drilling can be updated with a powerful drillhole datasheet Ð a data management spreadsheet, which allows the user to encode collar, strata and bed data along with lithologic information and unlimited quality parameters. Not only can strata within beds be composited for quality, but beds can be subdivided. A 20m ore body or coal seam, for example, can be automatically divided into many different beds based on elevations, quality analysis or gridded surfaces, allowing for composited qualities for each bed. This is useful for analysis of bench-based reserves, where ore quality is calculated by bench or 3D block, not by association with a strata or bed.

Strata or lithologic units can be designated as Key (ore) or Non-key (waste) during setup and can later be edited to further detail the geologic model. The popular "Ferm Code" designation is available, which will associate the proper hatch pattern with each Ferm Code in geologic columns and fence diagrams. The routine also supports user-defined "horizon codes" on individual strata which can be used to select or deselect specific data for modeling. Individual drillholes can be selected from the screen for straight forward edits or updates. Queries on drillholes for various statistics can be reported quickly and easily. Interrogation of the geologic model is facilitated with 2D or 3D diagrams. The 3D view option allows the geologist to see the drillhole lithology and downhole data displayed from any desired viewpoint. Likewise, triangulated, contoured or gridded surfaces can be displayed in 3D to compare against the geological columns. Fence diagrams, or geologic cross sections, can be constructed between a series of holes to investigate correlation.

The Geology Module includes a wide range of features that have specialized application: "Split Bed" allows for division of large coal, limestone and ore seams into beds defined by elevation, thickness or quality and/or grid surfaces, leading to compositing of qualities and tonnage calculations for each bed zone. In this way, three or four vertically-defined benches within the same pit can be differentiated by quality and tonnage. "Parameter Compliance" will "quick" analyze drillholes for compliance against parameter specifications for ore attributes, highlighting drillholes that pass. Compliance zones will be defined by closed polylines or hatched, as an option. Ore bodies can be broken down into types of ore based on filtering raw drillhole data through parameter compliance files that are associated with specific ore characteristics. Using this technique, for example, a clay seam may be defined as "medical filler" or "paper grade" based on passing the parameter compliance test, leading to mapping of grades of ore.

Two separate programs can complement the Geology Module. Drillholes can be stored in the powerful Hole Manager database program where queries and reports can be generated. Quality compositing is seamless resulting in color coded entries for quick verification. If there are electronic logs, or E-Log files, such as the common FAS file, these can also be batch-imported in the Hole Manager. Standard picks for values such as gamma, resistivity, density and caliper are available, as are any customizable parameter and range for different rock types. Electronic drillholes are then added to the database for modeling and comparison with the core and drillers log.

Isopach Maps: After the drillholes are correlated and validated, various modeling routines utilize the data. Isopach maps can be generated from a grid file or drillholes on screen. There are Auto-Run Isopach macros to generate an isopach map, each with its own hatching, in a separate drawing. Geological maps of the surface topography may be drawn illustrating the outcropping geology on a 3D surface. Custom