How to Add a Scale Bar and North Arrow to a Mining Map

Toggle the Scale Bar and North Arrow on in the Design section of the sidebar. They appear on the map automatically and can be repositioned using the corner picker controls.

Why Scale Bars and North Arrows Are Required

NI 43-101 technical reports and most regulatory submissions require maps to include a scale bar and north arrow. These elements allow reviewers to measure distances and understand map orientation without additional tools. Without them, maps in technical documents are considered incomplete.

Enabling the Scale Bar

Open the Design section in the sidebar and toggle the Scale Bar switch on. The scale bar appears on the map and calculates the displayed distance automatically based on the current zoom level. As you zoom in or out, the scale bar updates in real time. The scale bar is included in all exports (PNG, SVG, PDF).

Enabling the North Arrow

Toggle the North Arrow switch on in the Design section. The north arrow appears in the corner you specify using the corner picker. Position it in a corner that doesn't conflict with other panels (title, legend, logo, inset).

Positioning Both Elements

Use the corner pickers in the Design section to assign the scale bar and north arrow to specific corners. Elements assigned to the same corner stack automatically without overlapping. Adjust Safe Margins to control how close elements can get to the map edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a scale bar required for NI 43-101 maps?
Yes. NI 43-101 Form 43-101F1 specifies that all maps included in technical reports must have a scale indicator (scale bar or representative fraction), north arrow, and legend. Maps without these elements may result in comments from the reviewing securities commission.
Does the scale bar update when I zoom the map?
Yes. The scale bar calculates the distance it represents based on the current zoom level and map projection. If you zoom in, the scale bar shows a shorter distance; zoom out and it shows a longer distance. This means you should set your final zoom level before exporting.