Review of the New Features of Micromine Origin 2025

At the end of 2024, Micromine presented updated software product for geological exploration, geological and resource modeling, Micromine Origin 2025 with new tools and improvements to a range of available features.

The new features include a Grade Estimator, AI-enhanced wireframe modeling, dynamic trend using wireframe orientation, and True Thickness calculation in drill holes from wireframes. In addition, a range of tools and functions for building statistical graphs, drill hole planning, block model reports, data visualization, drill hole columns and databases, etc. have been improved.

 Watch a video from the Micromine Origin 2025 Release here.

At first, let’s consider the new tools and features of Micromine Origin 2025.

Grade Estimator

The Grade Estimator tool has been added to the Block Model tab, in the Estimation group. It performs estimation based on the same input data with multiple processing by different interpolation methods (IDW, Kriging), attributes, domains and search area parameters.

Estimation can be performed on multiple attributes (multiple element grades or other parameters) using multiple interpolation methods, such as Inverse Weighted Distances (IDW), Ordinary or Universal Kriging.

Grade Estimator allows to perform multiple interpolation runs with different parameters. For each run, the parameters of the search area must be defined, including the radius and axis factors of the interpolation ellipse, and other parameters such as the number of sectors, the minimum and maximum samples (total and per sector).

Additionally, domains can be defined from the block model or using wireframes, the search ellipse orientation, cut-cuts, and thresholds can be set if necessary.

The customized attributes can be estimated several times with different parameters and used in defined Kriging, IDW runs, and other interpolations. Each such estimate is a separate interpolation run and represents a separate field in the block model.

Macros are traditionally used to automate the interpolation process with multiple runs with different parameters. This is especially important using different domains, search area parameters, interpolation methods, etc. The new Grade Estimator allows you to perform such complicated multi-parameter estimations without macros, setting all the parameters in a single dialog, which significantly improves your workflow.

Watch a video on how to use the Grade Estimator by following the link.

AI-Generated Wireframes

Grade Copilot, an artificial intelligence-powered tool, has gained the ability to create numerical and categorical wireframe models based on its own block models. When you select the wireframes as output data, the tabs “Numerical Grade Shells” and “Categorical Shells” are added.

Numerical Grade Shells tab is used to define the input numeric data, namely the attribute and the Cut-off values. In addition, the wireframe type should be specified to be output as a series of grade shells.

The Categorical Shells tab is used to configure lithology data to be output as a series of wireframes representing a geology model. The categories are processed using neural networks, output as a wireframe series, and saved to a specified wireframe type.

Additionally, on the Output tab, the Trim to Topography option can be selected to apply it to the created numerical or categorical shells.

Video on building AI-based wireframes is available here.

Variable Trend  –  Orientations from Wireframes

The Orientations from Wireframes tool is used to automatically populate a block model with local azimuth and plunge values derived from a wireframe or set of wireframes. This tool is more efficient and faster compared to using a structural trend, significantly saving time during the data preparation.

Using the resulting Dip Direction, Dip, and Pitch fields, you can change the orientation of the search ellipsoid.

This allows quick and easy data preparation for further use in interpolation methods like Kriging or IDW, which are applied to estimate values in block models.

The application of this tool can be viewed in the video at the link.

Drillhole True Thickness Calculator – from wireframes

The enhanced calculation allows you to use single wireframe or sets of wireframes to record true thickness values in a new or available interval file in drill hole database. For this purpose, the From Wireframe group has been added to the Drillhole True Thickness form.

The created interval file can be visualized as Solid Trace or Interval Hatch, and the true thickness values can be used for further operations.

Follow the link to watch a video about true thickness calculation in drill holes using wireframes.

Next, let’s discuss improvements to available tools and features.

Drillhole Log  – symbol set and angle field

Graph points in Drillhole Logs can now have a symbol set and angle field assigned to them. This can be used to show the Dip or Pinch, for example for structural data.

Drillhole Database  – Remove Blank Records 

The Remove blank records option has been added to the Create Drillhole Database form on the Output Database tab. The option will ensure blank records are not included in the new drillhole database and is applicable to all files.

Point Display as Spheres 

Drillhole collar and Points data can now be displayed using Spheres. The corresponding option has been added to the Points tab of the Points form and to the Collar tab of the Drillhole Trace form. The size and color of the sphere can also be specified, including by using a color field.

Advanced Block Model Report  – Spatial Constraint Conditions 

Support for spatial constraint conditions has been added to the Advanced Block Model Report, allowing you to filter the report by various conditions. 

Spatial filters can be configured to include data that is above or below the Z value, inside or outside of wireframes or polygons, above or below the digital surface model in the block model report.

Statistics – Charts 

Expanded Chart Appearance Settings now allow you to assign custom font, color, and size settings to charts. 

Cumulative Frequency and Probability Plot charts now count the log-normal discarded values (<= 0), which are counted but not plotted.

Data Search  – Sector Search Limits 

In the Data Search form, additional parameters have been created in the Search Definition tab to use sector restrictio

Populate Block Model  – Output Field for Trend

The options “Dip Direction, Dip, Pitch” and “Azimuth, plunge, rotation (ZXY)” have been added to the Populate Block Model with Variable Trend tool. The tool extracts the local Azimuth and Plunge from a wireframe, or set of wireframes, to populate a block model for use with the Variable Search options in the Kriging and IDW forms.

ns, namely the minimum number of populated sectors and the minimum and maximum number of points in a sector.

Drillhole Planning  – Rate of Deviation 

In the Drillhole Planning dialog box From Collar, in the Rate of Deviation group, the Degrees per units distance, Azimuth/Drift, and Inclination/Lift fields have been added to allow you to set the degree of deviation for segments of different lengths.

Semi Variogram Parameters  – Save Control Files 

Buttons for saving variogram control files have been added to the Semi Variogram Parameters form. These buttons allow you to save the current control file (Save as Control File) or all variogram control files of the project (Save All as Control Files) to the specified folder location.

Populate Block Model  – Output Field for Trend

The options “Dip Direction, Dip, Pitch” and “Azimuth, plunge, rotation (ZXY)” have been added to the Populate Block Model with Variable Trend tool. The tool extracts the local Azimuth and Plunge from a wireframe, or set of wireframes, to populate a block model for use with the Variable Search options in the Kriging and IDW forms.

If you are interested in the new tools and advanced features of Micromine Origin 2025, you can test them in practice by updating your license here or requesting a demo here.