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Mining · head to head

Imago vs PCBC

Imago logo

Imago

Mining

Geological database and exploration management

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PCBC logo

PCBC

Mining

Pit optimisation and scheduling software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Imago no pricing amounts published on vendor website; specific tier costs must be obtained by contacting sales; PCBC dassault Systemes GEOVIA PCBC has no published commercial pricing and is sold via direct contact, with a separate Academic License Program as the only named alternative tier
  • They diverge on capability: Imago covers Geological database, PCBC covers Pit optimization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Imago and PCBC actually diverge.

Attributes where Imago and PCBC differ
AttributeImagoPCBC
Founded19981981

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Imago

  • Geological database
  • Drill hole management
  • Sample tracking
  • Data validation
  • Reporting tools
  • Leapfrog
  • Excel
  • GIS systems

Only in PCBC

  • Pit optimization
  • Pushback scheduling
  • Cutoff grade analysis
  • NPV maximization
  • Sensitivity analysis
  • Surpac
  • Whittle
  • MineSched

Both cover

  • Vulcan
  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Imago

  • Digitising and managing drill core photographynot PCBC
  • Linking core imagery to geological logging datanot PCBC
  • Streaming high-resolution core imagery into Leapfrog modelsnot PCBC
  • Sharing geoscientific imagery across a distributed exploration teamnot PCBC
  • Capturing core images in the field with the mobile appnot PCBC

PCBC

  • Pit optimizationnot Imago
  • Pushback designnot Imago
  • Cutoff optimizationnot Imago
  • Economic analysisnot Imago

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Imago

  • No pricing amounts published on vendor website; specific tier costs must be obtained by contacting sales
  • Tiers are designed for mining operations (each mine site requires separate subscription)

PCBC

  • Dassault Systemes GEOVIA PCBC has no published commercial pricing and is sold via direct contact, with a separate Academic License Program as the only named alternative tier

Pricing, plan by plan

Imago

On request
  • Imago Professional$6500/year
    • Database management
    • Drill hole tracking
    • Sample management

PCBC

On request
  • PCBC Standard$12000/year
    • Pit optimization
    • Pushback design
    • Economic analysis

Which should you pick?

Choose Imago if

  • You need geological database.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want drill hole management.
Imago review

Choose PCBC if

  • You need pit optimization.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want pushback scheduling.
PCBC review

Questions people ask

Is Imago or PCBC better?
Neither clearly leads. Imago starts at On request and PCBC at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Imago or PCBC?
Imago starts at On request and PCBC at On request.
Does Imago or PCBC run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is Imago best used for?
Imago is most often used for digitising and managing drill core photography, linking core imagery to geological logging data, streaming high-resolution core imagery into leapfrog models, sharing geoscientific imagery across a distributed exploration team. Of those, digitising and managing drill core photography and linking core imagery to geological logging data are not what PCBC is typically brought in for.
What can Imago do that PCBC cannot?
Imago covers Geological database, Drill hole management, Sample tracking, Data validation. PCBC covers Pit optimization, Pushback scheduling, Cutoff grade analysis, NPV maximization. Both handle Vulcan, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Imago: What are the Imago subscription tiers?

Imago offers three subscription tiers: Standard (single workspace, unlimited users, 3TB storage), Enterprise (multiple workspaces, unlimited users, 6TB shared storage, SSO and user group management), and Junior (single workspace, unlimited users, 500GB storage, for non-producing companies or academic licensing only). All tiers are contracted on 12-month agreements.

Source
PCBC: Where can I find GEOVIA PCBC pricing?

GEOVIA does not publish pricing on the product page. Interested buyers should contact GEOVIA directly via their contact link or visit the full GEOVIA website to request pricing information.

Source
Imago: What add-on options are available for Imago?

Imago offers add-on subscriptions including Chip Shot (RC chip tray capture control), Mobile Capture X (smartphone field capture workflows), and Storage (additional capacity in 1TB increments). Each additional mine site requires a separate Imago subscription.

Source
PCBC: How can I learn more about PCBC before purchasing?

GEOVIA provides a user community resource where real-world users share experiences. You can also contact their sales team directly for product information and trial inquiries.

Source
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