PCBC

Relator: Guillermo Uribe

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GENERALIDADES PCBC
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What is Block Cave Mining
Cave mining refers to all mining
operations in which the ore body
caves naturally after undercutting the
base. The caved material is
recovered using draw points.
(Laubscher, 1994)

Undercut
Draw Bell
Extraction Level
 4
Mines
Known operating and planned block and
panel caving mines

Desert Rose

Fruta del Norte

Oyu Tolgoi La Granja

Pampa de Pongo

Rosario Project

Pampa Escondida

Los Azules

1.29
 5
Typical applications of the software
Initial conceptual studies SLC BC
Compare block caving to other methods
Pre-Feasibility studies vs
One lift vs two, shape, size etc
Feasibility studies
Detailed layouts
Initial production start up
How to get the tons going?
Routine production
How to meet the forecasts?

Transitions
Open pit to underground
One block cave lift to another
 6
Production scheduling vs Development scheduling
Development Schedules Production Schedules

Rates of tunnel Draw point development sequence

development (undercut shape)
Allocation of development PCBC DOES do this Vertical mining rate (Production rate
crews and equipment curves)
Timing to access Application of constraints such as per
production mining blocks tunnel limits
Give maximum tons per mining period
PCBC does NOT do this with material qualitiy information
(tunnels, orepasses etc) PCBC works above the draw points
 7
Components of PCBC
Tons Dollar value

Footprint Finder 1,000

900
800
9,000
8,000
7,000

Dollar Value (M$)

700

Tonnage (Mt)
6,000

Concept studies
600
5,000
500
4,000
400
300 3,000
2,000

Best elevation
200
100 1,000
- -

2560
2620
2680
2740
2800
2860
2920
2980
3040
3100
3160
3220
3280
3340
3400
3460
3520
3580
3640
Potential of block caving Elevation

Best Height of Draw

Detailed footprint definition
Mineable reserve (diluted)
Production scheduling
Tons, grades per period for life of mine
Cave Management System (CMS)
Daily or shift Tons / draw point
Operations tools
Tools for assay and draw point observation analysis
PCBC for feasibility studies 8
Footprint Finder
Initial estimate for RL
Draw point location
Elevation and single vs multiple lifts
Generation of layout automatically
Flat vs inclined
Lateral extent / pillars etc
Effect of maximum HOD
Schedules
Rate for draw point development
Sequence of development
Draw strategy (Block and Panel Caving, control angle)
Tunnel capacity / hang up vs development vs production
Cash flow calculations
Updating models as resource is upgraded
Benefit from integration into GEMS!
Sometimes, block models are updates 5-10 times or more!
Multiple ore zones
Scheduling of multiple zones
Open pit converted in a Block Caving mine 9

ORE BODY

L1
Palabora Mining

L2
System configurations 10
Where/When in project life cycle?

PCBC (Stand alone / GEMS)

Footprint Finder
Production Schedule optimization
CMS
LSQ, GEOL, GEOT
Block Cave Project life cycle (simplified)
Pre/Feasibility to Operational to Completion /
Implementation  Closure 
Footprint application 11

Clipping Level After Mixing Best height

Mixing
polygon evaluated Process of draw
Process

Block model 1,000

Tons Dollar value

9,000
$, Dens, grades etc 900
800
8,000
7,000

Dollar Value (M$)

Development Cost 700

Tonnage (Mt)
6,000
600
5,000
500
One column 400
4,000
3,000
from Block 300
200 2,000

model 100
-
1,000
-

2560
2620
2680
2740
2800
2860
2920
2980
3040
3100
3160
3220
3280
3340
3400
3460
3520
3580
3640
Elevation
 Footprint application…

Tonnage (Mt) Tonnage (Mt)

-

-
50
100
250

150
200

100
200
300
400
500
600
700

2680 2320
2725 2380
2770 2440
2815 2500
2560
2860
2620
2905
2680
2950
2740
2995
2800
Tons

Tons

3040
2860
Elevation
Elevation

3085 2920
3130 2980
$val
$val

3175 3040
3220 3100
3265 3160
3310 3220
3355 3280
3400 3340
-
-

500
200
400
600
800

1,000
1,500
3,000
3,500
4,000

2,000
2,500
1,000
1,400
1,800

1,200
1,600

Dollar Value (M$) Dollar Value (M$)

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 Dollar Value (M$)
-
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
1,800

2320
2365
2410
2455
2500
2545
2590
2635
2680
Seq1

2725
2770
2815
2860
Footprint analysis using a simple schedule

Elevation
Seq2

2905
2950
2995
3040
3085
3130
3175
3220
3265
3310
3355
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 Seq, NPV , etc
$, Dens, etc
upper level
adjusted for
Block model

Mining Factors
Footprint
Area + Elev

Dollar Value M$ Tonnage Mt

-
10
20
30
40
50
60

-
100
200
300
400
500
600

505-305
505-305
525-325
525-325
545-345
545-345
565-365
565-365
585-385
Footprint analysis combining two levels

585-385
605-405 605-405
625-425 625-425
645-445 645-445
665-465 665-465
685-485 685-485
705-505 705-505
Tonnage

725-525 725-525
Dollar value

745-545 745-545
765-565 765-565
785-585 785-585
805-605 805-605
825-625 825-625
845-645 845-645
Lift1

Lift1

865-665 865-665
885-685 885-685
905-705
Lift2

905-705
Lift2
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 15
Freeport GBC
Large new project
Open pit / block cave interaction
Multiple mining panels
Mining sequence and undercut length
Chuquicamata Underground
PCBC – PC Block Caving
 Introducing PC-BC
PC-BC is a tool for use by planning engineers for use in feasibility studies as well as in operating mines. It allows a numerical model to
be set up which subsequently allows the draw columns above draw points to simulated. By doing this, we are able to compute mineable
reserves for a variety of scenarios as well as produce production schedules giving tons, grade and other economic information. Features
of PC-BC include:
Sophisticated empirical mixing models allowing for vertical and horizontal mixing as well as the mixing which results from toppling or
sliding of material close to surface.
Definition of mineable reserves using best height of draw technique which allows for easy delineation of practical footprints as well
as sensitivity studies of price and mining cost variations
Generation of numerous production schedules to study the interaction of the key scheduling parameters, such as total production
rates, rate of commissioning of new draw points, draw point maturity curves (or Production Rate curves per draw point) and cave
draw down scenarios.
In addition the above tools, the following applications are also available if required:
Foot Print Finder. This enables a quick study of different footprints at different elevations, before a more detailed footprint with
explicit draw points is set up in PC-BC
CMS. This is essentially a daily draw order production system. It monitors daily actual tonnages and status per draw point and uses
this to produce daily draw orders which can be fed to an LHD dispatch system
LSQ. This is a Least Squares draw point sample analysis tool which enables calibration of draw columns against actual measured
sample grades.
A very practical interface with Microsoft Excel which allows concurrent analysis of results in Excel.
To date, PC-BC has been used all over the world on a variety of Copper, Gold, Diamond and Asbestos operations and has been well
tested over its 13 year history.
General PC-BC Applications
 Block cave modeling
 Footprint optimization
 Production planning
 Production scheduling optimization
 Reserves reconciliation (LSQ)
 Production system (CMS – Daily order tool)
 Convergence monitoring (Geotechnical tool)
 Geological observation (Geological tool)
Agenda for PCBC training
Block Model
Import Block Model
Display
Prepare special model for PCBC
Setup to rock type, resource, density, etc.
General Definition
Rock Code
Grade Element
Triangulation
Import surface and solid from DXF
Create surface
Display options
Agenda for PCBC training
Footprint Finder
Introduction
Revenue model preparations
Input and output sheets
Footprint Evaluation from a surface
PC-BC Modeling
Setup PCBC workspace
Block Caving Model
Slice file construction
Selection options
Agenda for PCBC training
Mixing Model
Introduction about Mixing algorithm
Pre-vertical Mixing
Toppling
Sequential mixing
Best Height of Draw
Economic parameters
Calculate economic value
Buckets
Transfer data from Excel to PCBC
Edit Bucket
Display Options
Use the “map” option interface with Excel
Agenda for PCBC training
Production Schedule
Sequence definition
Production rate curves definition
Draw point Status
Development rates
Production Target
Draw Method
Reports from Production schedule
Playback
Advanced Training
Sensitive analysis using different:
Draw Point spacing
Geometry cone definition
Best height of draw to define the mineable reserves with sensitive analysis using different prices or cost
Redefine footprint limit according to the new economic values
How to smooth the height of draw result
Production Schedule
Define production rate based on fragmentation information according to:
Small & intermediate size → good fragmentation → increase production rate
Large & oversize → poor fragmentation → decrease production rate
Advanced reports options
Using Optimization
Define production scheduler using LINDO option
Maximize the sum of NPV values per draw point
Using constraints as:
Minimum and maximum tons
Neighbour tons
Production block
Dilution
Construction of Slice File Resources

+ +
Block models Draw point locations
Note zones unique
or shared between
draw points
Draw cones
Contents:
Tons
Grades

+ = Resulting draw
Dollar value
Fracture Freq
% Fines
% Ore
columns % Unique
Overlapping draw cones
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General Setup
Create a New Project
File → New → Project
Create a New Project…
Preliminary definition
1. Grade Elements
Format  Other Profiles  Grade Names
 Preliminary definition
2. Rock Code
Format  Other Profiles  Rock Codes
Create Database en PCBC
Workspace  Create or Modify a workspace
Working with Block Model
Define Block Model
As Database As Binary File
Block Model Geometry

Z
Y
X
Block Model Geometry
Importing information to Block Model
Block Model Statistics

Min value Max value Min Row Max Row Min Col Max Col Min Level Max Level Ave(non-zero) Num(non-zero)
Standard Rock Type 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Standard Density 2.32 2.87 52 231 51 201 1 215 2.74 5,843,700
Standard Economic 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0
Standard Material 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0
Standard Elevation
Standard CU -1 24.3 52 231 51 201 1 215 -0.28 4,715,676
Standard CONF -1 4 52 231 51 201 1 215 1.09 5,843,700
Standard OXIDE 1 4 52 231 51 201 1 215 3.35 5,843,700
Standard Void% -1 100 52 231 51 201 1 215 1.51 5,837,382
Advanced Profile
Block Model Statistics
Block Model
Create a new variable into block model
Block Model
Create a new variable into block model
Display Block Model information
Display variable into block model
Display- Block Outlines
 Display- Values and Outlines
rockcode
grade

Grade values as block outline

Rockcodes and grades

with black outline grid
 Special block Model for PCBC
FFM, it is useful to estimate the height
interaction zone of Laubscher
PERFIN, is used to have different velocity
of gravity flow per rock type based on
percentage of fine material
Fine model percentage

(Pretorius and Ngidi, Massmin 2008)

Fragmentation in the drawpoint
 The Question of Layout, Fragmentation and Flow

A. Moss Geotechical symposium

Jun07
40% Draw
Note dilution entry into column
Note dilution entry at drawpoint
40% Draw
Independent Draw Observed
Secondary fragmentation curve example
Block Model
Block\ Edit\ Simple Manipulation
Simple manipulation to calc percentage of fines
Block\ Edit\ Simple Manipulation
Block Model script
Block\ Edit\ Simple Manipulation
Working with Triangulation
Import information from Autocad
Create a surface
Working with PCBC
Block Cave Modeling
Draw point location- Draw point spacing
Draw column geometry
Block model preparation
Slice file construction
Block Cave Area
General Parameters 1 of 3
• PCBC - Project- General Parameters

SEG for Topo (Optional)

FFm (Optional)
Percentage fine model
Discretization points of BM

Settings to find drawpts

neighbords
General Parameters 2 of 3
General Parameters 3 of 3
Economic Information
• PCBC - Project- Economic Information

•Mining and Procesing Cost

•Cost Economic Surplus

•Grade Element: Revenue

factor=price metal*unit factor *
Metallurgic Recovery
 Economic Profile
Profit ($/ton) = Revenue – Cost
Revenue = Grade * Metal Price * Met. Recovery
Cost= Mining Cost + Processing Cost

For example Cu:

Revenue = Grade (%)*Metal Price ($/lb)*Met. Recovery (%)*Unit factor= $/ton

Revenue Factor
Revenue = Grade (%)* Revenue Factor = $/ton

For mutli elements:

Revenue = Revenue(Cu) + Revenue(Au) + Revenue (Ag)
Economic value Slice File
Example: To Cooper grade, the metallurgic recovery is 85%, the price is 0.9 $/lb
The revenue factor is: 2204.6 lb/t*0.9$/lb* 85/100*%/100=16.86$/%
The total revenue slice value is the sum of each grade in the slice file by revenue factor:

Element Grade Revenue Factor Value

Cu 0.890 16.86 15.01
Au 0.546 6.36 3.47
Ag 2.846 0.09 0.26
Pb 0.001 - -
Zn 0.017 - -
Total Revenue Value 18.7341

The profit Value is the revenue minus cost:

Revenue value per ton 18.73
Mining cost per ton 7.18
Total profit per ton 11.55
LAYOUT DESIGN

Rockmass Class 5 4 3 2
ff/m 50-7 20-1.5 5-0.4 1.5-0.2
Rock size (m) 0.01-0.3 0.1-2 0.4-5 1.5-9
Isolate draw diameter
Loading width
5m
4m 9m
11.5m
11m
13m
12.5m
Rockmass strength (MRMR)
3m 6.5m 8.5m 10.5m 12m
2m 6m 8m 10m Geological structures
Join spacing
Induced stress
Maximum/Mininmum spacing of Drawzones
Loading width
5m 24-14m
4m 15-8m 20-11m 22-13m
3m 10-5m 13-7m 18-10m 21-12m
2m 9-4m 12-6m 16-9m
Area of influence(m2) 95 180 290 380

For example
RMR=66 Layout=20m x 17m
FF/M=2.2 340 m2
Loading Width=4m
Draw Cone Geometry
Height
Maximum height of column

Radius of the extraction column as function

of the height of extraction

Radius of the extraction column in

undercut level, the diameters must have
overlap here
Radius
Draw Cone Geometry
Inclined Cone
Vertical
Inclined cone
cone

Height

Cone angle
or inclination

Overall angle=
Cone angle +
Cone flair

Radius
 Draw Cone Geometry
Inside material can POTENTIALLY report to a draw point and be mined
Outside material cannot be mined

User defined
geometry

OK OK NOT OK
(Section view)
Draw Cone Geometry - Definition
Draw cone geometry
•Depends on height
•Depends on fragmentation
•Depends on friction angle
Vertical
Hc 500
Hc/2 250

hc/ Heigh Radiust (1.5 Deg) Radiust (2.0 Deg)

2 0 2.5 2.5
15 5.5 5.5
250 8.2 6.2
500 8.2 6.2

2 grados
1.5 grados
Example of Extraction and Undercut level

21.6m
Draw Cone Geometry – Example1
Incline Column Theory
Incline Column Theory

Span = 600m
Depth = 1000m
Height of cave/100 = 5
Factor=1000/600 * 5 = 8
RMR = 60 ??
Cave Angle = 80 degrees
 Draw Point Type
PCBC-Project-Draw Point Type

Name of Draw Name of Draw

point Type cone Type
 Production Block
PCBC - Project- Production Block
Production Block Example

A-Norte
INC-CW
269 dpts
573 dpts INC-N
627 dpts

EXTO INC-CE
1338 dpts 126 dpts

INC-W
395 dpts
Production Block Example

Sector4
Xcut16-20 Sector3
Xcut11-15 Sector2 Sector1
Xcut6-10 Xcut1-5
 Design Criteria
Important Design Criteria for Extraction Level layout:
•Drift Spacing [a]
•Drawpoint Spacing / distance across minor apex [b]
•Distance across major apex [c]
•Trough Length [d]
•Break-away Length [e]
•Tunnel Width [f]
Malla de Extracción 15 x 20 m (Teniente)
DIMENSIONAMIENTO DE
MALLAS DE EXTRACCION,
BATEAS RECOLECTORAS Y
PILAR
CORONA PARA METODO PANEL
CAVING EN ROCA PRIMARIA,
MINA EL TENIENTE
 Create layout Draw Points
1. Create a clipping polygon
2. Define a advanced profile
3. Use to create the layout
PCBC  Draw Points  Draw Point Utilities  Generate layout in CSV file

Offset

Brow

Minor

Major
 Importing Draw Points from csv
Prepare coordinates and name of the dpts in a Excel spreadsheet

Total number of dpts to import

Name and coordinates

Correlative number starting from 1

Save data in a CSV format

 Importing Draw Points from csv

PC-BC/ Drawpoints/ Import

Drawpoints
Create Slice File
Slice file Example
Step to create a New Slice File

1. Initialize a New Slice File

2. Compute a Block Fraction
3. Transfer data from Block Model to the Slice
4. Save the Slice file
Initialize a New Slice File
PCBC - Slice File – Initialize a New Slice File
After to run initialize tool, in the Block Cave folder were created the
PCBCCURR.SLF (PCBCCURR.253) y PCBCTEMP.SLF (PCBCTEMP.253),
these file has the same size
 Nomenclature
DTPS Column
Column diameter Slice n

Slice 3
• PCBC used 75 slice per draw point
Slice 2 • 10,000 dpts maximum per database

Slice 1
Draw Point
Block Fractions
Material shared Uniq ue M aterial
between draw not shared with
points other draw points

20%

100%

75%

Block Model data

Coarse Material
Fine Material
Shared Material
between neighbour
draw point

Ore or Dilution:
Grades, density and
$$ Dollar value
Unique Material
(Can only come out of
this draw point)
Draw point
 Computing Block Fractions
Fractions, discreet of block
model

Fractions inside
Draw Point

3/25=12% 13/25=52%
Ultimate fractions calculations
1/25=4% 8/25=32%
 Transference Block to Slice file

0.2 0.6
Block Model Copper Grade
1.2 0.8

Fraction process Transfer Block to

from above run Slice file

12% 52%
12%*0.2+52%*0.6+
4% 32% 4%*1.2+32%*0.8 = 0.64
=0.64
Transfer blocks to Slice File
PCBC- Slice File - Transfer blocks to slice file
Checking the slice file
PCBC- Slice File -View/Edit Slice File
 Creating slice file in 1 step
1. Create an Advanced Profile
2. Run “Build” option

PCBC- Project- Advanced Profile

Creating slice file in 1 step
1. Create an Advanced Profile
2. Run “Build” option

PCBC- Slice File –Build Slice File

Mixing Models in PCBC
 Different forms of material movement 110

T O
Legend
V Vertical mix

H Horizontal

I Inclined

T Toppling Caved Solid

R Rilling
I F
O Open pit failure Mixing horizon
F Fines migration
R
C Chimneying
H C
V
F Frozen
E F
E Erosion
 Different types of material movement
Mechanism Previous Template Direction Example
Version Mixing
Vertical mixing Yes Yes Vertical Different velocities for broken material

Horizontal mixing minimal Yes Horizontal Near pillars and cones and between
major mining boundaries
Toppling Yes Yes Horizontal At cave surface
Rilling No Yes Horizontal At broken/solid rock interface
Regional lateral Yes Yes Horizontal Mostly at distinct interfaces (Eg
movement kimberlite pipe sides)
Cone erosion No Yes Vertical Variable (increasing) cone radius
Stagnation No No Vertical Variable (decreasing) cone radius
Fines migration Some Yes Vertical Rapid downward of fine material within a
coarser matrix
Piping No No Vertical? Small direct path for fines migration
Mud rush No No Both Fluid flow within rock matrix?
Open pit failures Some Yes Vertical Sudden major failure in a given period
Variable cave back No Yes Vertical Incremental changes to cave back as it
with time moves upwards
 112
Flow modeling in PCBC
No mixing
Laubscher method
Pre-Vertical mixing
Sequential mixing and toppling
Template mixing
REBOP interface

Pre-Vertical mixing and Sequential mixing are related, but Laubscher, TM methods are
independent. REBOP interface is currently only accessible to Rio Tinto. But it is still possible
to do comparative runs of PCBC vs REBOP quite easily for small datasets.
Rebop example
Types of mixing (earlier versions)
Toppling
en superficie

Mezcla horizontal
entre puntos de
extracción

Mezcla Vertical
proceso básico de mezcla

Extracción de
tonelaje
 Mixing Horizon - Fictitious, but useful
Uniform movement
assumed here

Mixing Horizon

Non-uniform movement
occurs here
composed by a vertical and
a horizontal movement

© Copyright Gemcom Software International Inc. 2000

 Denis Laubscher’s Theory
Draw Point Spacing
Frequency Rating
Fracture

Fracture Frequency Height of

Rating Interaction
Zone (HIZ)

Curves derived by Laubscher

Draw Control

Draw Tons Mixing Horizon

Factor

50 0

100 450 280

200 150 Std dev. of Swell Factor
tons drawn
© Copyright Gemcom Software International Inc. 2000
 Prevertical Mixing
PCBC – Project – Mixing Parameters

# of mixing iterations

Height of Interaction Zone

The number of mixing iterations should be increased for smaller block sizes (in the vertical direction). For
example, 1 iteration might be sufficient for a vertical block size of 20m, while 2 or 3 iterations might be
required for the same situation with a 10m block size.
Estimation of Percentage of Dilution Entry (PDE)
The percentage of dilution entry is
computed as follows
HIZ
Where Hc 
s * dcf
Hc, is the height of the draw PDE 
column Hc
HIZ, is the height of
interaction zone
Dcf, is the draw control factor
s, is the swell factor MixingHorizon 
HIZ
 UndercutHeight
s * dcf
 HIZ from ffm model

Average = 12 Dilution ffm rating Rule of thumb

How to get ffm rating from RMRL
Ffm rating=RMRL*0.4
Ore
Laubscher’s RMR 1989
Divided into three
30 22 12
ffm rating zones
• If the ore rating is less than
dilution then locate entry point at
the 30% lowest rating
• If ore rating is greater than
dilution then locate entry point at
HIZ Estimation (Courtesy Dennis Laubscher)

ff/m
Point Dilution Entry
Waste
HIZ is an indicator of the amount of Waste
HIZ
mixing within the draw column. Waste
Therefore affects the PDE
PDE is highly influenced by HIZ
Waste
differential draw
HIZ
 Draw Control Factor (dcf)
Dcf is a measure of diferential Neighbours

draw between a drawpoint and Drawpoint

its neighbours

It should be computed in a 1.0

monthly or weekly bases

0.75

dcf
0.5

The higher the dcf the later the

0.3

Good control Bad control

higher the PDE is 1.0 3.0 5.0 7.0 9.0 11.0

Coeficient of varitation of tonnage between a draw point and its neighbours
 Mixing Model in PC-BC

... Slices above HIZ

Coarse material moves Fine material moves
do not mix slower than fine material Faster than coarse
HIZ

0 0.1
Slices below HIZ mix
0.15 0.2
each other

Material moving from

2 slices up
Material moving from
Mixing Slice 1 slice up
 Pre-vertical mixing example

Diffuse contact
Sharp contact

Block model data In situ draw columns Mixed draw columns

Example dilution curves

100
ORIGINAL ORE ORIGINAL DILUTION
90
80
70
% of Dilution

60
50 MH=200
2 Cycles
40 MH=200 MH=50
30 1 Cycle
MH=150 MH=75
20
MH=100
10
0
10
30
50
70
90

150
170
190
210
230
250
270
290
310
330
350

430
450
470
490
410
130

370
390
110

Height of Draw
 Mixing Models in PCBC
Premixing SeqMixing
HIZ
New Approach
8
7
8
6
7 HIZ
5
6
8
. . . 4
5
. . . 3 7 8
. . . 4
2 6 7
3
5 6
HIZ 1 2
HIZ 1
4 5
3 4
2 3
time
1 2
1

1er Slice 2 Slice N-1 Slice HIZ ( premix) * esponjamiento(s)  HIZ (seqmix)
Toppling applications

 Enables us to calculate the old subsidence areas

 Affects the long term planning incorporating materials from the sides of the
crater
 Useful to define critical footprints
 It could be integrated with an open pit operation going on.
 Initially developed to Palabora
MORFOLOGÍA CRATER DE SUBSIDENCIA
Topografía original
Dc
AS
Pared del cráter tc

z
Material quebrado
H

XXX h
β α
Galería afectada por el cráter de ti AB
subsidencia

Hoek 1972
Brown & Ferguson 1979
Zona de influencia (Karzulovic & Díaz, 1992)

eq: Ángulo de ruptura equivalente de la pared del cráter.

: Ángulo de influencia.
Ec: Zona de mayor agrietamiento en superficie
ds: Zona de fracturamiento menor o “zona de seguridad”
DB: Ancho basal a nivel del piso del cráter de la zona de influencia
Factores que controlan la morfología de un cráter
de subsidencia
Toppling and subsidence
Subsidence generated by Salvador’s block and
panel caving operations, Chile

Caved rock

Crater
perimeter

Slide 145
Subsidence generated by El Teniente’s block and
panel caving operations, Chile

N Crater
perimeter Quebrada
Teniente

Teniente 5
Teniente 4 Pilares
Fortuna
Caved
rock

Braden Teniente
Teniente 4
Regimiento
Pipe Sub 6

Teniente
3 Isla Teniente
4 Sur
Slide 146
Toppling and subsidence
Toppling Example

Previously mined
Open Pit Marginal
material

Ore

Draw points
 Toppling example - steps
Step 0 Step 1 Step 2

Note how some

dilution material
quickly travels
to centre
Step 3 Step 4 Step 5

Note the two slope

angles for broken
and intact rock

Step 6 Step 7 No Toppling

Results from toppling example

Item No toppling Toppling Actual

Dilution % 0.0 12.8 16.3
Tonnage 4.6M 5.2M 5.3M
Cu% 0.75 0.60 0.58
Metal 34500 31200 30740
User effort Easy Easy Hard
 Prevertical Mixing Procedure
Check the Mixing parameters in
PCBC – Project – Mixing Parameters

Run Prevertical Mixing

PCBC – Slice File – Mixing – Pre-Compute Pre Vertical Mixing

Save the slice Mixed file

PCBC – Slice File – Slice File Utilities – Current to Save

Rename the PCBCSAVE.SLF like VMIX.SLF

Template mixing basics

Cell size is related to draw point dimensions in X and Y directions

Cell size = block model dimension in Z direction
Improved resolution obtained by modeling fractions of cells in each movement.

A cellular automaton looks at simple behaviour of a large number of cells to

emulate complex system behaviour.
Template mixing looks at more complex behaviour of a smaller number of
cells or elements.
 Template mixing
A new “depletion engine” for PC-BC
Allows new flow mechanisms

A Hybrid approach
Best bits and experience from previous PC-BC
Some stochastic components
Some flow elements (macro scale)
Built right into production scheduler of PC-BC

Currently advanced prototype stage

Calibration is underway

Note
As with the previous mixing in PC-BC, template mixing is NOT a gravity flow simulation or geomechanical tool.
Template mixing
Arc structure Base Frozen and Erosion Isolated

Frozen material

Depleting dpt
Template mixing test (Section)
Lower grade at base allows effects of variable cone
radius to be studied

High fines zone simulates a previous lift

Variable grades sideways allows horizontal

movements to be studied

Toppling at surface can be seen

Options to have a variable cave back can be added

Draw points
Some results for TM
Erosion of draw cone 300,000
Rilling 1.60000
300,000 1.40000

1.40000
1.20000 250,000
250,000
1.20000
1.00000
200,000 200,000
1.00000
Current tons Current tons
0.80000
Base tons Base tons
150,000 150,000 0.80000
CU CU
0.60000 Base Cu
Base Cu
0.60000
100,000 100,000
0.40000
0.40000

50,000 50,000
0.20000 0.20000

0 0.00000 0 0.00000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

300,000
Variable fines 1.40000

Cone base has short term effect

1.20000
250,000

Rilling is “mid-term”
1.00000
200,000
Current tons
0.80000 Base tons
150,000 CU
0.60000 Run 7
Dilution entry is longer term (end of life of draw points)
100,000
0.40000

50,000
0.20000

0 0.00000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
 Template mixing examples
Sandbox with Rilling 1
Vertical and
Toppling Toppling
horizontal mixing
Rilling

DOZ 1

Draw
points

DOZ 2
Advantages of Template mixing
Fast (up to 1000 times faster than detailed particle flow models)
Versatile.
Easy to put different properties into different regions
Ability to model different mechanisms (Eg rilling, toppling, mixing)

Integrated. Right within the current PCBC/GEMS system

Independent from previous mixing in PCBC
So provides an independent evaluation

Components separated
Can study rilling, toppling, mixing as separate entities

Could work with either regular or irregular elements (Eg blocks, cubes or draw column increments (or rings in SLC))
Scalable.
Has potential to be developed for more detailed models
REBOP interface 159

Stage1: Calibration of mixing parameters

Stage2: Run using REBOP as mixing engine
Marker display per period Draw Column shape per period in 3D
The beginning points of markers which have moved are Below is “Active Markers” after every step
shown in blue. Extracted markers (origins) are shown in
green and the cyan points are the end points of moved
markers.
Production Planning
Module
 Production Planning Outcomes
• Best Height of Draw
• Price sensitivity studies
• Development sequence
• Compare alternatives
• Production scheduling (to any scale)
• Build up to full production
• Compare value of different schedules
• Scheduling optimization
Best Height of Draw Procedure
 Create the economic profile
 Setup the economic profile in the Block Cave area property
 Setup the information in the Advanced Profile
 Update dollar value (if it is necessary)
 Run the BHOD tools
 Display the information
 Define HOD maximum and minimum and Run again
 Save results in Excel and like Bucket
Advanced Profile
PCBC-Project-Advanced Profile
 Update dollar value
To update the dollar value in slice use:
PCBC-Slice File-Slice File Utilities-Update Totals and dollar value

To save the information updated use:

PCBC-Slice File- Slice File Utilities-Current to Save
Run Best Height of draw (BHOD) tools
PCBC-Planning-Find the best hod (BHOD)

Enter a description (optional)

Enter a minimum HOD, if you use advanced profile, it is not necessary
The program use the BHOD.XLS excel file to save the result (this file is located in Block Cave folder)

Economic Economic Average

Economic Height Grades
Tonnage

Record Draw Point OK?

Name Best HOD Ave_Dol Net_Dol Tot_Dol Tonnage CU AU AG PB ZN
1 P1A-01E OK 735 8.319895 5625.525 5625.525 676153.3 1.111136 0.39281 6.311256 0.012561 0.115422
2 P1A-02E OK 735 11.36028 5776.104 5776.104 508447.4 1.311842 0.501626 7.449142 0.014006 0.130831
3 P1A-03E OK 735 9.813617 4901.22 4901.22 499430.6 1.170096 0.518767 6.676481 0.015762 0.139112
4 P1A-04E OK 735 7.198676 3559.14 3559.14 494415.9 0.937236 0.535241 5.409695 0.016607 0.139938
5 P1A-05E OK 735 6.537344 3240.116 3240.116 495631.8 0.860314 0.575584 4.774683 0.015145 0.135883

BHOD.XLS
Run Best Height of draw
During this process the program show the draw point
with different color, it means cyan color the draw
point has a positive economic value, light red the
draw point has a negative economic value.

After run BHOD appears in the screen a surface in 3D,

it show the height result for each draw point.

Additionally appear a windows with the summary of the

BHOD result
 Visualization of BHOD result
PCBC-Display-Toggle Draw Point information info window

Put mouse in the draw point

Bucket H1: Economic height

Bucket T1: Economic total value to extract H1
Bucket TW: Economic Tonnage to extract H1
Assining Minimum and Maximum HOD
H2= For minimum HOD
HW= For Maximum HOD
 Mining Reserves
Height Tons $val ($/ton) CUEQ $val ($) Acum $val ($)
5 426 (3.17) 0.42 (1,354) (1,354)
20 9,116 (1.76) 0.52 (16,062) (17,416)
35 12,324 (0.23) 0.63
350 (2,844) (20,261)
50 12,522 0.87 0.70 10,848 (9,413)
65 12,873 1.57 300
0.76 20,214 10,801
80 13,118 1.84 0.77 24,184 34,986
250
95 13,184 1.75 0.77 23,039 58,025
110 13,449 1.40 0.74
200 18,875 76,900

Acum $val (1000x$)

125 13,383 0.92 0.71 12,331 89,231
140 13,443 0.43 0.67
150 5,809 95,040
155 13,643 0.04 0.65 505 95,545
170 13,747 (0.20) 100
0.63 (2,765) 92,780
185 13,607 (0.25) 0.63 (3,367) 89,412
50
200 13,784 (0.11) 0.63 (1,537) 87,875
215 13,528 0.17 0.66
- 2,363 90,238
230 13,075 0.57 0.68 - 7,495 100 97,732 200 300 400 500 600
245 12,869 1.03 (50)
0.72 13,293 111,025
260 13,130 1.50 0.75 19,694 130,719
275 13,822 1.92 (100)
0.78 26,592 157,311
290 14,210 2.25 0.80 32,002 189,313
(150)
305 14,115 2.40 0.81 33,866 223,179
320 14,155 2.29 0.81 32,409 255,588 HOD (m)
335 11,290 1.86 0.78 21,019 276,607
350 11,290 1.37 0.74 15,496 292,102
365 11,290 0.84 0.70 9,471 301,573
380
395
11,290
11,290
0.30
(0.21)
0.66
0.63
3,427
(2,368)
305,000
302,632
BHOD
410 11,290 (0.69) 0.59 (7,838) 294,794
425 11,290 (1.15) 0.56 (13,022) 281,772

Break Even, cumulative profit =0

440 11,290 (1.59) 0.53 (17,975) 263,796
455 11,290 (2.01) 0.50 (22,726) 241,071
470 11,290 (2.42) 0.47 (27,270) 213,801
485 11,290 (2.70) 0.45 (30,484) 183,317
500
515
11,290
11,335
(4.06)
(4.95)
0.35
0.29
(45,816)
(56,155)
137,500
81,345
Max(cumulative profit)=BHOD
530 11,365 (5.79) 0.23 (65,851) 15,495
545
560
11,365
11,365
(6.42)
(6.76)
0.18
0.16
(73,011)
(76,829)
(57,516)
(134,345)
Break Even
 Footprint sensitivity to price
Revenues for $1.10 Revenues to $1.00

Footprint sensitivity to price

300

250

200
Draw points
150 Total tons
Net Revenue
100

50
0
$1.10 $1.00 $0.90 $0.80

Revenues for $0.90 Revenues for $0.80

© Copyright Gemcom Software International Inc. 2000

Sensitive Analisis

Cu=0.9 $/lb Cu=1.0 $/lb

Define layout size
 Best HOD : Define Mining Reserves

Best HOD profile if Material too high to Best HOD profile

no limiting HOD consider as ore due to large when limiting HOD
is used underlying dilution zone is used

Limiting HOD profile

set to 300m in this case
Run Best HOD
using different Shut-off values
1. Define a new economic profile
PCBC - Project- Economic Information
2. Assign this new profile in Block Cave Area properties
3. Save, Close and reopen the Block Cave area
4. Update the dollar value in the Slice
PCBC-Slice File-Slice File Utilities-Update Totals and dollar value
5. Run Best HOD again
PCBC-Planning-Find the best hod (BHOD)
Buckets information

Numeric Bucket String Bucket

• Tonnage • Status
• Sequence • PRC
• Hod • Production Block
• Percentage of •Type
extraction Bucket List
Buckets Database
Workspace – Create or Modify Workspace
 Import Buckets from Excel
PCBC-Buckets-Transfer Bucket data Between workspace and Excel
 Register Buckets data to display
PC-BC/ Bucket/ Register…
Examples to display Information in 2D and 3D
 Block Caving Display Profile in 2D
Display using a bucket: PC-BC/ Display/ Block-Caving Display Profile
Draw Point Display Options
Display using a bucket: PC-BC/ Display/ Draw Point Display Options
Display Buckets example in 2D
 Block Caving Display Profile in 3D Column
Display using a bucket: PC-BC/ Display/ Block-Caving Display Profile
Display Column example in 3D
Merging Several Buckets in one single bucket
PC-BC/ Buckets/ Merge bucket data/
Load information buckets
• PCBC-Bucket-Define Ton/Hod bucket
There are twp type of buckets
• Ton Buckets: To store tonnage T1, T2, Tw
• Height Buckets: To store Height H1, H2, Hw
Get HOD from Tonnage
• PCBC-Bucket-Bucket Utilities-Find HOD from tons
Load in T1, the tonnage bucket information
Find HOD from tons
Save the HOD into bucket worspace
Get Tonnage from HOD
• PCBC-Bucket-Bucket Utilities-Find tons from HOD
Load in H1, the height bucket information
Find Tonnage from HOD
Save the Tonnage into bucket worspace
Create a surface using HOD values
• PCBC-Bucket- Make TIN from Hod bucket
Create a surface using HOD values
Production Schedule
 Production Scheduling
Opening Sequence Production Targets (Table)
Step

1
Period

Yr1
Days/period

365
Method

COMBO
TONS

1,460,000
New

48
Run Inputs
2 Yr2 365 COMBO 2,190,000 48
TONSLOAD1 cero
3 Yr3 365 COMBO 2,920,000 48 TONSLOAD2 TOPO
4 Yr4 365 COMBO 3,650,000 48
TONSLOAD3 MINBT
5 Yr5 365 COMBO 4,380,000 48
6 Yr6 365 COMBO 4,380,000 48 !SEQUENCE 2
7 Yr7 365 COMBO 4,380,000 10 DPT_SEQ
8 Yr8 365 COMBO 4,380,000
9 Yr9 365 COMBO 4,380,000
10
11
12
Yr10
Yr11
Yr12
365
365
365
COMBO
COMBO
COMBO
4,380,000
4,380,000
4,380,000
Input
13 Yr13 365 COMBO 4,380,000
14 Yr14 365 COMBO 4,380,000
END 54,020,000 298

DPT_INPUT Draw Function

Tons Remaining Reserves

Prodtons.xls Draw Rate Feasible Area

Closed Active New Idle Planned

Production Rate Draw function

Draw Point Sequence
Number
0 .7
S e c o n d a ry ro c k
0 .6
Draw Rate (t/m2_day)

0 .5

0 .4

0 .3
P ri m a ry ro c k

Table
0 .2

0 .1

0
Production Schedule Schedule
0% 12% 30% 50% 80% 100% 500%
% Draw

Bhod
PRC_INPUT Dpts
Psinfo
UCUT
 Production rate curves (PRC)
The Production rate curves (PRC) can be define for each draw point or by group, in the draw point
database this ítem is in PRC field
The PRC curve is defined in XY_CURVES, like to percentage of extraction v/s Production rate (ton/
m2-day)

PCBC - Project- XY Curves

Production rate guide (Dr. Laubscher 2000)
Production rate curves (PRC)
Example
Percent PCBC Density Rate Rate
Draw T/m2/day T/m3 mm/day inch/day
0% 0.21 2.7 76.2 3.00
12% 0.34 2.7 127.0 5.00
24% 0.48 2.7 177.8 7.00
36% 0.55 2.7 203.2 8.00
100% 0.55 2.7 203.2 8.00
 Production rate curves (PRC)
Example

C. Kurniawan and T.B. Setyoko (Massmin 2008)

 Calibration of the PRC using actual data

Sector1
400

350

300
Production rate (Tpd)

250

200 TPD

150 Average
Ave+StanDev
100

50

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Actual HOD (m)

Mining sequence
It represents the direction for opening draw points, the key drivers are:
Cavability
Orebody geometry
Induced stress
Grade distribution
Production requirements
Primary Fragmentation
Influence of geological environment
Rockburst potential and Mud / water inflows
Massive wedge failures
Zones of competent and weaker rock
Influence of and on adjacent operations

198
Cavability - Laubsher’s Method
 Mining sequence (cont)
Boart Drill and Blast Schedule
End 1999 First Quater 2001
Jan 2000 Second Quater 2001
Feb 2000 Third Quater 2001
Mar 2000 Fourth Quater 2001
Apr 2000
May 2000 First Quater 2002
Second Quater 2002
21a 21 20a 20 19a 19 18a Jun 2000
18 Third Quater 2002
Jul 2000
17a Fourth Quater 2002
17 Aug 2000
16a Sep 2000 First Quater 2001
16 Oct 2000 Second Quater 2003
15a
15 Nov 2000 Third Quater 2003
14a Dec 2000
14
13a
13
12a
12
11a
11
10a 10 9a 9 8a 8 7a 7 6a 6 5a 5 4a 4 3a 3 2a 2 1a 1

21a
21
20a
19a
19 18a 18 17a 17
16a
16
15a
15
14a
14
13a
13
12a
12
11a 1
2 1a
11 2a
10a 3
4 3a
10 5 4a
9a 6 5a
9 6a
8a 7
8 7a

Palabora (A. Moss Geotechical symposium 2007)

Mining sequence (cont)
SECTORES NUEVO NIVEL MINA

Año 2014
Año 2024

Año 2034
Año 2015

Año 2023

Codelco Teniente NLM

(P.Yañez, Massmin 2004)
Mining sequence (cont)

Undercut
Schedule

Finsch (O. Richter, Massmin 2004)

 Panel vs Block Caving
Relative tonnage (size) for a small block cave and large panel cave:

Panel cave moves horizontally

Block caving moves vertically
Draw point opening is continuous
for a panel cave, but relatively
quick for a block cave

(T.Diering, Massmin 2008)

203
Sequence definition

PCBC has three alternatives to define the draw point

development sequence:

1. Create sequence from a Surface TIN

2. Generate sequence using Production Block tool
3. Using map option to create a sequence manually
 Create sequence from Surface
• Digitize polylines to create a sequence surface

• Save polyline to file for future reference

• Create TIN surface from active data (ie polylines just digitized)

• Create bucket from TIN using the generate sequence option

• PCBC\ Bucket\ Make bucket from TIN

 Creating a surface
Digitize polylines to create a sequence surface (low = first, high = last)
Create bucket from TIN
Dump Sequence in Excel and in bucket
workspace
 Generate sequence using Production Block
The following need to be done before you can define a production block based sequence
Draw points have to be grouped in to production blocks (usually done using clipping polygons)
For each production block, you have to create a line (using Gemcom polylilne tools) and save
this polyline as an ascii file. (Internal format is LINE PLANE Y X Z). Be sure to only have one
line per ascii file
Create a sheet called INPUT in a spreadsheet called SEQUENCE.XLS and save this under
BlockCave folder
Set up the INPUT sheet of the SEQUENCE.XLS sheet as follows: Production block
Production block Azimuth Guide
PROD1 45 line file
P1.ASC
PROD2 125 P2.ASC
PROD3 315 P3.ASC
END
 Generate sequence using Production Block
1. Digitizing and save 1 polyline per 2. Setup excel file to generate the
Production Block the sequence
 Generate sequence using Production Block…
3. Run the option PCBC\ Planning\ Planning Utilities\ Generate sequence by
Production Block
Example of sequence by Bucket
Example spreadsheet TABLE
Input Production Scheduler
• Status
• Sequence
• Production rate (PRC)
• Development rate
• Production Target
• Undercut Target
• Bucket with historical information (Actual Tonnage)
• Bucket with PRC information
• Bucket with reserve information
• Keyword
• Draw Method
 INPUT Sheet (basic)
Tonnage data
• LOADPAST: Past tone before the first scheduling step
• LOAD100%: 100% tons reference for PRC curves
• LOADMAX: Maximum limiting tons per draw point (Mining Reserves)
LOADSEQ, to read the draw point development sequence from Bucket List
SEQUENCE #, Specifies that the draw point development sequence will be calculated from a SEG
(Surface elevation grid)
PRC_XY, to read information from XY_CURVES, for example Production rate
TABLE, to read the production target from TABLE sheet
DEPLETE, to extract tonnage from slice during the production schedule, simulating the depletion of
reserve per draw point.
PS_INFO, This option create a Ps_info sheet contains additional results of various variables at the end of
a run.
FIX_NEW, This keyword will adjust the number of days for which new draw points are active in their first
period
Example INPUT Sheet
0
LOADPAST T0
LOAD100% T100
LOADMAX L_34_m
LOADSEQ Sec
PAST_WORK
PRC_XY
PRC_LABEL 5
!RESTORE
!SHUT 1
!BEST_HOD
!PROD_SUM 1
!DUMP_BHOD
ps_info
DEPLETE
!DUMP 2
!SLICESUM
TABLE
DETAIL
END
Draw point Status
The status is reading from Draw point database and it is the status before run production
schedule
• Active
• Planned
• Closed
• Design
• Exhausted
• Developed
• Hang up
• Undercut
• Repair
• Not Used
Production Capacity

Mostly limited
by PRC curve

PRC Limit

Some limited
by Remaining

Draw points in sequence order (old to left, new to right)

Method SMOOTH

Some limited
by PRC curve

Zone where flexibility exists

for draw control
How fast to pull newer
PRC Limit vs older draw points

Some limited
by Remaining

Draw points in sequence order (old to left, new to right)

Method COMBO

Some limited
by PRC curve

PRC Limit

Draw points in sequence order (old to left, new to right)

Método EVEN
Method COMBO vs EVEN

Some limited
by PRC curve

PRC Limit

Draw points in sequence order (old to left, new to right)

Method AUTO
Method AUTO vs SMOOTH
 Draw Function calc example Target<Capacity
TARGET 600 tpd

DPTS Actual HOD PRC Max Cap AUTO EVEN COMBO SMOOTH
1 250 400 mm/day 243 243 78 78 243
2 200 400 mm/day 243 243 146 146 146
3 100 400 mm/day 243 114 194 194 122
4 50 100 mm/day 61 - 61 61 40
5 0 100 mm/day 61 - 61 61 30
6 0 100 mm/day 61 - 61 61 20
911 600 600 600 600
 Draw Function calc example Target>Capacity
TARGET 1000 tpd

DPTS Actual HOD PRC Max Cap AUTO EVEN COMBO SMOOTH
1 250 400 mm/day 243 243 250 243 243
2 200 400 mm/day 243 243 250 243 243
3 100 400 mm/day 243 243 250 243 243
4 50 100 mm/day 61 61 84 61 61
5 0 100 mm/day 61 61 83 61 61
6 0 100 mm/day 61 61 83 61 61
911 911 1,000 911 911
Example of NPV Maximization Optimized
Item Base Case Case
NPV 219,486,71 261,428,012
Net DV costs 44,055,822 37,775,780
7 Cu 0.9800 1.0007
Mo 0.0292 0.0291
Pb 0.0016 0.0016
6 wi 16.0461 16.0022
Reserves 237,007,056 208,440,656

5
 237 Million tons @ 0.98 %Cu
4  1219 draw points
8
 Mine capacity 12 million/year
1
2

9
 NPV increased19% !
10
3

 Mining reserves are reduced by 12%

 Mine life shortened by about 2.5 years
Colors used in Production Scheduler
Action Colour Frequency

Reestore slice file from saved slice file LIGHT_MAGENTA Initial

Compute draw point areas MAGENTA Initial

Draw point has zero area LIGHT_RED Initial

Current tons > Remaining tons (DPT is closed) RED Step

Fully depleted draw point BROWN Step/error

Bad slice info YELLOW Step/error

Active status GREEN Step

New status YELLOW Step

Other status MAGENTA Step

Undercut status LIGHT_CYAN Step

Depletion of undercut tons MAGENTA Step

Sequential vertical mixing Various Step

Toppling Various Step

Cross mixing Various Step

Schedule Sheet
SCHEDULE sheet
Step : Mining step number
Period : Period name
Days/period : numbers of producting days in the period
Planned : Number of planned draw points (at end of step)
Active : Number of active draw points
Closed : Number of closed draw points
Other : Number of other draw points (Eg Not Used)
New : Number of new draw points in this step
Iterations : Number of iterations used to find tons solution
Current tons : Current tons mined in this period
To date : Total of all tons mined to date
Limit : Total tons allowed to be mined
Active area : Active mining area for this period.
Requested : Tons requested to be mined.
Idle : Number of idle (active) draw points.
Exceeds PRC : Number of draw points where PRC is exceeded (see EVEN)
$Value : Average dollar value per tons of material mined this period
Dil % : Average percentage of dilution for this period
CU : Average grades mined this period.
PS_INFO
TProg: Tonnage : Progressive mined to date
TPRC: Tonnage used as 100% PRC value
TLimit: Maximum tonnage allowed to be extracted from draw point
TCurrent: Current tonnage extracted during last step
Area: Effective area covered by draw point (based on slice 3 in slice file)
Seq: Development sequence number
Start: Start period number in which draw point becomes active
Stop: Stop period number at which draw point is closed
Status: Draw point status at end of schedule run
PastTons: Tone mined from draw point before beginning of schedule
%Draw: Percent draw for this draw point (= 100.*TProg/TLimit)
PRC: Production rate for draw point during most recent step
PRC Limit: Tonnage limit for last step based on PRC
Demand: Tonnage requested from the draws point (Mainly for internal use)
Remain: Tonnage remaining in draw point before it would become depleted
Dolval: Dollar value of material most recently extracted from draw point.
Days: Number of days of projected life for the draw point based on PRC.
PRC_Curve: Which PRC curve is in use at the end of the run
UCUT_Status: Undercut status at end of run
Keyword DUMP_HOD
This keyword will cause the HOD at the end of each period to be dumped to an Excel
worksheet "HOD". The HOD worksheet can then be used to compute HOD related items
such as possible cave height or rate of draw etc.
Keyword DUMP

If this keyword is present, then when material is depleted (with the DEPLETE)
keyword, then detailed tonnages, grades, dilution and dollar value information
for each draw point will be dumped to separate Excel spreadsheets.
As this can substantially slow down the production scheduler, it should only be
used for "final" runs where the detailed information may be required for further
processing.
Keyword DETAIL

This keyword enable additional control data to be

read from a worksheet called "Detail". This
worksheet contains 5 columns as follows:

• Step number
• Action to take (TYPE, STATUS or NEW etc.)
• Draw point name or draw point Type
• New draw point type or new draw point status
• Additional value (floating point) for future use
 235
Playback
Historical tons
display
Historical tons
display
Height of draw

Info Window for

detailed info
Pie charts of rock
type
“Map” info sent to
Excel
Playback with map option example 236
Playback
Playback
Contouring Adv. Profile
Playback Adv. Profile
Broken keyword
 UCUT (sheet)
This sheet should be present when you set up input for undercut UCUT_USE
modeling in a schedule. UCUT_CONE 1.00
UCUT_SWELL 0.60
UCUT_THIK 10
UCUT_HT 10
UCUT_AREA 281
There are numerous keywords which can then be used to control the UCUT_SKIP
input.

Step Period Days Method Area # Ucut Ucut area Ucut tons

1 CT-Dec,04 1,492 UCUT 0 0.00 0 0

2 Jan,05 31 UCUT 0 0 0 0
3 Feb,05 28 UCUT 0 0 0 0
4 Mar,05 31 UCUT 0 0 0 0
5 Apr,05 30 UCUT 0 0 0 0
6 May,05 31 UCUT 0 0 0 0
7 Jun,05 30 UCUT 2,529 9 2,529 39,931
8 Jul,05 31 UCUT 2,248 8 2,248 36,294
9 Aug,05 31 UCUT 2,248 8 2,248 36,853
10 Sep,05 30 UCUT 2,248 8 2,248 38,047
11 Oct,05 31 UCUT 2,248 8 2,248 36,282
12 Nov,05 30 UCUT 2,529 9 2,529 40,706
13 Dec,05 31 UCUT 2,810 10 2,810 47,181
14 Jan,06 31 UCUT 2,810 10 2,810 47,830
15 Feb,06 28 UCUT 2,810 10 2,810 48,570
16 Mar,06 31 UCUT 2,810 10 2,810 49,238
 UCUT (Input)
UCUT_CONE: What percentage of the draw cones is covered by the actual undercut.
This should usually be 100% (or an input value of 1.0 for this keyword)

UCUT_SWELL: UCUT_SWELL specifies the percentage of swell material removed from

the undercut layer. Typically this would be around 0.5 (50%) but could be as high as 1.0.

UCUT_THIK: This is the nominal thickness of the undercut zone.

UCUT_HT: This keyword will specify the default height of the bottom of the undercurt zone
as measured from the draw point extraction elevation. Usually this would be in the range 15
to 30m.

UCUT_AREA: This keyword will specify an average area to be used for each draw point
which will override the draw point areas. For example, if, in a layout, the draw point areas
vary form 220 to 300, you may prefer, for undercut purposes, to replace this with a constant
area of 225m per draw point.
 Keyword PB_MAX
Use this keyword to enable production blocks to be set up in the TABLE sheet. If
this keyword is not set, then it is still possible to set production block constraints
using option PBMAX in the DETAIL sheet.
Step Period Days/period Method TONS NEW NORTHPANEL CENTPANEL SOUTHPANEL END

1 Yr1 365 AUTO 30,000,000 220 20,000,000 10,000,000

2 Yr2 365 AUTO 30,000,000 220 20,000,000 10,000,000
3 Yr3 365 AUTO 30,000,000 220 20,000,000 10,000,000
4 Yr4 365 AUTO 30,000,000 220 20,000,000 10,000,000
5 Yr5 365 AUTO 30,000,000 220 20,000,000 10,000,000
6 Yr6 365 AUTO 30,000,000 220 20,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000
7 Yr7 365 AUTO 30,000,000 220 20,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000
8 Yr8 365 AUTO 30,000,000 220 20,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000
9 Yr9 365 AUTO 30,000,000 220 20,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000
10 Yr10 365 AUTO 30,000,000 220 20,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000
SURF Method
Use this method to enable the HOD generated during the production schedule to follow a
given (input) surface. The program will try to minimize the squared difference between the
current HOD and the height to the given surface.
SURF Method
• All draw points must be included underneath the TIN
• In the INPUT sheet of prodtons.xls, you need to insert the following
keywords
• TIN_LOAD. This will then prompt you for the TIN surface you wish to use. It is assumed that the
TIN surface has been loaded into Gemcom before you start the production schedule run.
• AVE_DENS. This is followed by the average density you wish to use for conversion of HOD to
tonnages. (This is needed, since we are scheduling tonnages, not HOD). IF this keyword is
omitted, then the program will use 1.15 times the default cave density specified in the property
definition.
• TMIN. This is followed in the next field by a tonnage value. This is the minimum tons per day which
can be used as a lower limit for scheduled tons per draw point. (We use tons per day, so that it can
be scaled by the number of days per period whether this is per month, quarter or year)
SURF_PRC (keyword)

• This keyword will allow you to temporarily increase the PRC rates form their
standard value by the scale factor specified (in the next field). For example, if you
want to temporarily increase the PRC by 20%, you would enter a value of 1.2
• This intent here is that you will increase the PRC, but keep the total tons targets
unchanged (and in line with the standard PRC). This will then provide some short
term flexibility to the SURF method to catch up to the specified surface.
• If you do not do this, then it is likely that the SURF keyword will not be effective
until you reach full production.
SURF Procedure
Prepare a “Ideal Surface” using the actual tonnage:
Take the tonnage from actual data and run production schedule using these tonnage like a
production target using a SMOOTH or POINTS and not used the PAST
Use the DUMP_HOD to get the HOD information per period
Take the HOD and create a Surface using the option (Make a TIN from HOD bucket)
If it is necesary edit the elevetion in the draw point to create the “Ideal Surface”.
Prepare a Production Schedule to Catch Up in Nov05
Use the PAST to deplete the historical information
Use the SURF in the next 4 or 5 month
Use the SMOOTH or POINT for the rest of the run.
Additional Keyword
AREA_FIX: You can set the next field equal to a fixed area and then all draw points will use
this (constant) area for PRC calculation purposes.
RESTORE: This restores the slice file PCBCCURR.SLF from the file PCBCSAVE.SLF. It is
useful when doing multiple runs and when the DEPLETE keyword is being used.
HOD_TIN: This will allow the surface to be imported back into Gemcom for proper viewing.
The file name is TIN.TRI
PROD_SUM: Allows a summary report to be generated by production block. The next filed
for this keyword can be either 1 or 2.
TMIN: This is the minimum tons per day which can be used as a lower limit for scheduled
tons per draw point. (We use tons per day, so that it can be scaled by the number of days
per period whether this is per month, quarter or year)
SECTOR_SUM: Generate a report to prodtons.xls which is similar in format and structure to
PROD_SUM. As with the PROD_SUM keyword, there are two options (1 and 2).
BEST_HOD (keyword)
• Use this option top dynamically change the maximum limiting
tonnages
• It is only necessary for runs in which toppling is being used, since, in this case, the material in one
draw point column can migrate to another draw point thus changing the available tonnages from
both draw points.
• It can also be used if using cross draw point mixing or sequential mixing where the best tons for
each draw point may change as the amount of mixing changes.
 Common Block Caving and PC-BC terms
Term Explanation
HOD Height of draw
Cone Shape of draw surface above a draw point
Draw point Point at which material is extracted from draw column
LHD Load Haul Dump mining equipment
MH Mixing Horizon (PC-BC equivalent of HIZ)
HIZ
Height of interaction zone (Height above which no vertical mixing assumed)

SEG Surface elevation grid

TIN Triangular Irregular network or wireframe. ie a mesh of triangles
Block model
A component of a block model project. This is a 3D grid of values (rows, columns and
levels) for a single property or characteristic such as Cu, Au or Rock Type.

Bucket
A memory array for storing Tons, HOD or other draw point related data in TEMPORARY
storage. Many programs read data from or write data to "buckets". There is storage
allocated for three HOD and three TONS buckets.
 Common Block Caving and PC-BC terms
Term Explanation

CMS Cave Management System. A sub-system of PC-BC for daily draw order generation and management.

Slice file Central storage location for tons and gradde and other related information for each draw point.
(Usually has a .253 extension)

Footprint The plan area covered by active or planned draw points.

Production A name given to a group of draw points which will be grouped together, usually for production
block scheduling or reporting

Best HOD Usually refers to the HOD which provides the maximum dollar value, based on dollar value
information in the slice file. Also frequently used to define maximum mineable reserves.

Haircut The process of smoothing or trimming the Best HOD values to make the resulting HOD values more
achievable in practice.

PRC Production rate curve. Also referred to as a draw point maturity curve. This limits the maximum tons
per draw point per day.

AUTO A commonly used scheduling method in which maximum tons are taken from the oldest draw points
first and the newer draw points last.
Procedure to run Production scheduller with
Toppling
 Prepare a new draw point database with extra draw point
 Create a new Slice file
 Define sequential mixing parameters and toppling angles
 Create a new General parameter profile and in depletion tab active option to run with
sequential mixing and toppling
 Use the nomix slice file to run
 Add in the Input sheet the following keyword:
LOADMAX (Minimum tonnage to extract, for example 30% Draw)
LOADLIMIT (Maximum tonnage to extract)
Best_HOD (Calculate dynamically best HOD)
Include shut off value in the Table sheet
Others Applications in PCBC
 LSQ Method for Short Term Planning
• LSQ is a tool developed as part of PC-BC module that allows to integrate actual draw point samples in
the estimation of a slice file which is ad doc for short term planning.

• Thus the short term planning model will be an arrangement of draw columns that have maintained the
original mixed slice file with draw columns that have been estimated based on the actual draw point
samples.

• LSQ computes the dispersion between the slice file and composited actual samples for a given period of
time, depending on this dispersion the draw column will maintain the slice file as the short term grade
estimator else the grade estimator will be computed using the latest composited samples.
•
• The grade estimator mechanism consists of computing a grade trend based on the last composited
samples. This trend is later used to compute the slices overlying the actual HOD.
LSQ Method
CuSam Updated
Select
Mixed
draw points
Slice file

AuSam LSQ/ PC-BC

Tons

LSQ.xls

Mixed Analytical output

Statistics between
Slice file the model and the samples
LSQ WORK FLOW
Basic flow:
Load up LSQ control parameters
Restore slice file from a pre mixed slice file
Read period table from xls, get tonnages and grades buckets from LSQList
Load samples and tons from bucket workspaces
Composite samples at desired length
Now fit trend to samples
Write trend summary to sheet LSQ
Write trend details for each grade element to sheets Cu, Au etc.
Detailed dump for selected draw points
Compute normalized covariance between measured and simulated on a draw point by draw point basis.
Results to dpt_cor sheet
Decide if we want to update the slice file for selected draw points where the correlation is poor (meaning
that the normalized covariance is too high)
Update slice file with grade trend and put into current slice file. Trend based slice file is stored in
PCBCTEMP.253.
Deplete a tonnage sequence, or deplete the history file direct from samples and past tons.
 Dispersion analysis between actual samples and slice file
1. Load actual samples according to historical tons
2. Past samples composite at a certain spacing, usually 1 month of extraction (5 m)
3. Compute normalized covariance as follows

Composite Samples Mixed Slice Composite Samples

Gn

Gk

HOD G3
<> HOD

G2

G1
Draw Column
Grade trend estimation
Grade trend estimation
Number Code HOD C:CU C:AU
Control parameters for Grade trend analysis
1 0 14.43586063 0.9859 0.522031
2 0 28.87172127 0.744902 0.341643
1 NBACK 5 3 0 43.30758286 0.784453 0.179996
2 NEXTRA 3 4 0 57.74344254 0.445857 0.307094
3 COMP_LEN 15 5 0 72.17930603 0.671945 0.359648
4 DELH 15 6 0 86.61516571 1.241583 0.624051
7 1 101.0510254 1.075189 0.609782
5 LAB 2 CU AU
8 1 115.4868851 2.025218 0.754009
6 MAXOVER 140 2 0.6 9 1 129.9227448 1.71181 0.66655
7 MAXRATIO 1.5 10 1 144.3586121 1.505684 0.870101
8 MINRATIO 0.4 11 1 158.7944794 1.213724 0.91035
2 173.7944641 1.432638 0.6
2 188.7944641 1.407444 0.6
y = -0.0017x + 1.7245
3.5 2 203.7944641 1.382251 0.6

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220
 Grade trend estimation
Once the estimation has been computed for the
extra composites these composites are Gk+3
Estimated Slices
converted into slice file blocks as presented in Gk+2
Gk+1
the following figure:

HOD
 Control Sheet
Control parameters for Grade trend analysis

1 NBACK 5 Number of back slices used to construct trend

2 NEXTRA 3 number of extra composites to generate (from current HOD)
3 COMP_LEN 15 composite spacing (going back)
4 DELH 15 spacing of new samples
5 LAB 2 CU AU Grade labels to use (Must be before MAXOVER line)
6 MAXOVER 140 2 0.6 max grade for lab1 above max over height
7 MAXRATIO 1.5 chop grades to this ratio of the mean of previous samples
8 MINRATIO 0.4 do not go below this ratio of the mean of previous samples
9 NDUMP 5 number of draw points to dump full info (MAX=5)
10 DUMP 947 948 958 1020 1245 dump extra info for these draw points
11 SLICE_MAP 1 2 -1 -1 -1 sample column to slice file mapping
12 !SLICES Enable slice file update from samples (pcbctemp.253 is updated anyway)
13 !EQ1 1 0.6 0 0 0 equivalent factors
14 RESTORE Restore from saved slice file before a run
15 !LOAD_SAMP Load sample data (Test 9) before a run
16 DEPL_SEQ Deplete a tonnage sequence after modifying the slice file (or use DEPL_DPT below)
17 DEPL_HIST 2000 2005 Use this to automatically deplete the history from the history file (PC-BC.260)
18 DEPL_DPT 2000 2005 Use this to produce a report to sheet dpt of each draw point tons depletion
19 SAMP_DPT Include detailed (draw point) printout of Sample grades during depletion
20 USE_SAMP Report sample grades together with depletion report (History only)
21 SAVE_SIM Save simulated grades to PCBC.260 for further analysis (must do DEPL_HIST)
22 TREND_OUT Write out trend info for each lable of each draw point (Cu and Au sheets)
23 VAR_SET 0.004 Set Variance (Normalized) at which trend replaces in-situ
24 SLICE_MIX Mix slice file based upon VAR_SET values (>0.2 from PCBCTEMP.253, else PCBCSAVE.253)
25 DPT_COR 2000 2005 Covariances are computed during these years
26 TONS_OUT
END
Period Sheet
Year Month Tons CU AU
2000 11 Nov,00 CUNov,00 AUNov,00
2000 12 Dec,00 CUDec,00 AUDec,00
2001 1 Jan,01 CUJan,01 AUJan,01
2001 2 Feb,01 CUFeb,01 AUFeb,01
2001 3 Mar,01 CUMar,01 AUMar,01
2001 4 Apr,01 CUApr,01 AUApr,01
2001 5 May,01 CUMay,01 AUMay,01
2001 6 Jun,01 CUJun,01 AUJun,01
2001 7 Jul,01 CUJul,01 AUJul,01
2001 8 Aug,01 CUAug,01 AUAug,01
2001 9 Sep,01 CUSep,01 AUSep,01
2001 10 Oct,01 CUOct,01 AUOct,01
2001 11 Nov,01 CUNov,01 AUNov,01
2001 12 Dec,01 CUDec,01 AUDec,01
2002 1 Jan,02 CUJan,02 AUJan,02
2002 2 Feb,02 CUFeb,02 AUFeb,02
2002 3 Mar,02 CUMar,02 AUMar,02
Template Mixing
 Different forms of material movement

T O
Legend
V Vertical mix

H Horizontal

I Inclined

T Toppling
Caved Solid
R Rilling
I F
O Open pit failure Mixing horizon
F Fines migration
R
C Chimneying
H C
V
F Frozen
E F
E Erosion
 Rilling

Material moves at broken/solid interface

 Some results
Erosion of draw cone for TM Rilling
300,000 1.40000 300,000 1.60000

1.40000
1.20000 250,000
250,000
1.20000
1.00000
200,000 200,000
1.00000
Current tons Current tons
0.80000
Base tons Base tons
150,000 150,000 0.80000
CU
CU
0.60000 Base Cu
Base Cu 0.60000
100,000
100,000
0.40000 0.40000

50,000
50,000 0.20000
0.20000

0 0.00000
0 0.00000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Variable fines
300,000 1.40000
 Cone base has short term effect
1.20000
250,000

 Rilling is “mid-term”
1.00000
200,000
Current tons
0.80000 Base tons
150,000 CU
0.60000 Run 7

100,000
0.40000  Dilution entry is longer term (end of life
50,000
0.20000

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
0.00000 of draw points)
 Template mixing examples
Toppling
Rilling

Draw
points DOZ 1

Sandbox with Rilling 1

DOZ 2
 Advantages of Template mixing
 Fast (up to 1000 times faster than Rebop?)
 Versatile.
Easy to put different properties into different regions
Ability to model different mechanisms (Eg rilling, toppling, mixing)
 Integrated. Was able to be developed right inside the current PC-BC/GEMS system
 Independent from previous mixing in PC-BC, so provides an independent evaluation
 Components separated
Can study rilling, toppling, mixing as separate entities
 Could work with either regular or irregular elements (Eg blocks, cubes or draw column increments)
 Scalable.
Has potential to be developed for more detailed models
 Template Mixing
STEP 6 STEP 10 STEP 12 STEP 13 STEP 14

Depleting tonnage only in dpts 5

Horizontal Mixing and Toppling

Less Hz Mixing More Hz Mixing

Toppling using Top Adjustment

Step 9 – before “top up” Step 10 – After adjustment. Yellow are

high grade default material
 274
Cavability - Laubsher’s Method
Transitional Zone (defined by
Laubscher, 1994)

Stable

Transition

Caving

Not Specified