Gemcom PCBC™ FAQ
Does PCBC have enough depth to model the full complexities of a block cave, including multi-lift, dilution and flow modelling, detailed scheduling constraints, etc.?
Yes, PCBC has evolved over 20+ years using dozens of projects and sites to contain a broad range of tools and mixing algorithms.
Can I use PCBC for my early stage project?
Yes, for early projects we can either use our Footprint Finder tool or use our draw point generator to set up a simple draw point model which can get you up and running quickly, but evolve to greater levels of complexity as your project advances.
Do I need to buy PCBC right now for my initial concept study?
If you expect your project to evolve into a mine, then getting PCBC early on makes a lot of sense and will save on consulting costs down the line. However, if you are not sure if the project will use block caving or another mining method, then it may make more sense to use Gemcom’s technical services to provide consulting assistance with your initial project evaluation.
I have heard that PCBC is quite hard to set up for a new project. Is it true?
People may get this impression when they see a fully developed project with multiple options and constraints enabled. But it is possible to do a “quick and dirty” PCBC project in mere hours, given a block model as input. PCBC comes complete with wizards and default settings for workspaces and inputs and a draw point generator to get you started quickly.
How does PCBC do material mixing and dilution calculations?
We have 6 different mixing algorithms in PCBC which have evolved over the years: No mixing (in-situ), Laubscher, Pre-mixing, Sequential mixing, Template mixing, and an interface to Rebop from Itasca. There should be an material mixing option to meet your requirements!
Can PCBC be used for reconciliation purposes?
Yes, we do this on a regular basis for our clients with operating block cave mines. We have a seamless way to integrate the mining of past (actual) tonnages with the scheduling of future tonnages. We are then able to compare the modelled grades (and rock types) versus those grades from the mill and/or draw point sampling. We can then modify our flow modelling parameters to get a best fit to the observational data and use this to improve our forecasting.
Has PCBC been calibrated against real production data?
Yes, we have done this on several projects. Some of them still remain confidential to the clients involved, but some of the results of calibration are published.
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I have heard that you have to be quite skilled to use PCBC. Is this true?
For users new to block caving, most of the learning curve is about understanding block caving concepts and how they relate to production scheduling. The actual steps to set up and use PCBC are relatively straight forward and we have had more than 20 years to fine tune our workflows to what users want and need.
Are there competitive products on the market to PCBC?
There is always competition, but PCBC is well accepted as the leader in the block cave space and has by far the largest market share.
