As mining operations become larger and more complex, larger volumes
of geological, geophysical, and production data must be manipulated and
interpreted on a day-to-day basis. Because of the large volume of data,
more sophisticated data storage strategies, interpretation tools, and
visualisation tools must be used by exploration and mining operations in
order to remain competitive. Critical to better practice is an understanding of the basic syntax and
character of geological and mining data, expressed in the form of a data
model. In the short-term, a data model can be used to implement or
evaluate schemes for data storage or exchange. It can be used to evaluate
software. In the longer term, a data model is essential to the design of the
next generation of software for 3D geological modelling. In this and the related paper (Lin et al, 1995) the data model in use by
CSIRO is presented, together with: 1. examples of the use of data transfer in the linkage of existing
mining software; and 2. examples of the use of the data model in software design.