Within the past decade, there has been huge growth in the capability of almost all commercial 3D geological modelling software. 3D geological modelling, or geomodelling, is the applied science of creating computerized representations of portions of the Earth’s crust based on geophysical and geological data. A geomodel is the numerical equivalent of a 3D geological map that is complemented by a range of physical quantities within the volume of interest.

The growth of geomodelling has changed the face of mineral exploration and mining, with commercially available geology and mining software providing the basic tools for volume modelling and manipulation. There is now a trend for software to employ an easy, workflow-driven approach that contains flexible import routines as well as comprehensive data checking and cleaning tools. This moves away from traditional software that has unforgiving data import routines and section-based modelling.

Dr Ian Basson from Tect Geological Consulting comments on his experience with geomodelling software. “The follow-the-sun” service that Micromine offers, in my experience one of the best…that is why it’s the package of choice at Tect.” Micromine is the leading exploration and 3D mine design solution from global company, MICROMINE.

Due to the growth of geomodelling, the Geological Society of South Africa ran a 3D Geological Modelling course this year as part of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. Dr Basson ran the two-day session at the Glen Hove Conferencing Centre in Johannesburg. The aim of the course is to give participants an overview of geological modelling and the underlying techniques that are employed to create a realistic and validated geometry or shape. The course also discusses the evolution of modelling and the interpolation and surface-creation techniques that most software now uses.

Dr Basson commented “Some geoscientists get stuck on a package, either due to familiarity or a company-wide policy. This leaves them frustrated when they can’t model more complex geometries with the software.” Dr Basson hopes the new course will introduce geologists to a better standard of geomodelling software.

The course begins with an overview of typical data sets that users might look at and how they can be incorporated into 3D modelling. Students are then introduced to geomodelling software, Micromine. Students learn how to assemble a model using sections and an overview of 3D modelling. All students are given the chance to ask questions and are presented with a set of literature relevant to 3D geomodelling for ongoing learnings. Due to the popularity and feedback received from this year’s course, Dr Basson says “It will be held next year as part of the regular CPD circuit.”