Surpac Tip - How to Convert a Drill Hole Database from Local to National Grid

In the second article in the converting a drill hole database series, we run through the transformation from Local to National Grid. Here we will look at transforming the collar co-ordinates and updating the drillhole database with the new co-ordinates.

Steps 

To transform the data from the local/mine grid to the National Grid, you will need 2 points of reference/location that are the same for both grids.

Eg. Tenement Boundary Coordinates.

Local Grid

Bottom Left: North-7000, East 1200

Top Right: North 7600, East 2100

AMG Grid

Bottom Left: 6037000, East 1187200

Top Right: 6037600, East 1188100

Open up the Drill hole database you want to Translate.

There are 2 methods we can update the database by.

Method 1. 

Back up the Database first as this method changes the X,Y,Z. Also Remember from 2023 you are able to view 2 or more Databases at once.

Database>Edit>Transform drillholes

Select apply. The changes will be made directly to the X,Y,Z in the drillhole database.

Method 2.

This method allows you to have the local and national grid co-ordinates in the one collar table.

Database>Extract>Drill Hole layout. Enter in the name of the output file. The fields that are automatically exported out are

D1: Hole ID

D2: End of Hole Depth

D3: Azimuth

D4: Dip

Note that Y is in column 2, X in column 3, Z in column 4, Hole ID in column 5, Depth in column 6.

To convert the collar, File Tools> Transformations>2D transformation of a string file. Accept the adjustments and apply

Make a copy of the database and the .ddb and call it db_national, for example. Edit the .ddb file to reflect the new database name OR map the database via Database>Database>Map the database to create a new .ddb file.

Open up this database, Database>Database>import.

Enter the name of the format file you would like to create and the name of the loading report file name.

Tick the table you want to update, and remember to fill in the column numbers based on the order they are in the .str file.

Select the string file and REMEMBER to select the UPDATE option.

View the report to see how records have been updated.

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