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Mining · head to head

3DEC vs MineSight

3

3DEC

Mining

3D distinct element code for underground mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MineSight logo

MineSight

Mining

Integrated mine design and planning software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 3DEC pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options; MineSight mineSight (now part of Hexagon Mining) sells time-limited lease licenses rather than perpetual seats for exploration-stage users: License to Explore is scoped explicitly to "the life of a drilling campaign" and comes as two separate products, HxM Explorer and HxM Modeler, with additional functionality (UAV point-cloud surface meshing, a QAQC module) sold as further add-ons rather than included (archived press release, 6 March 2016)
  • They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, MineSight covers Geological modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3DEC and MineSight actually diverge.

Attributes where 3DEC and MineSight differ
Attribute3DECMineSight
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWindows

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining), founded (1981).

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 3DEC

  • 3D distinct element analysis
  • Block motion tracking
  • Contact detection
  • Support design
  • Dynamic simulation
  • FLAC3D
  • Leapfrog
  • Python

Only in MineSight

  • Geological modeling
  • 3D mine design
  • Production scheduling
  • Resource estimation
  • Operations planning
  • AutoCAD
  • ArcGIS
  • SAP

Both cover

  • Vulcan
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

3DEC

  • Three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materialsnot MineSight
  • Slope stability and pillar analysis for miningnot MineSight
  • Blast and earthquake dynamic analysisnot MineSight
  • Groundwater flow through fractured rocknot MineSight
  • Coupled thermal, mechanical and hydraulic modelling for geothermal, CO2 sequestration and nuclear wastenot MineSight

MineSight

  • Mine planningnot 3DEC
  • Resource schedulingnot 3DEC
  • Pit designnot 3DEC
  • Underground developmentnot 3DEC
  • Production optimizationnot 3DEC

Where each one falls short

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

3DEC

  • Pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options
  • A specialist geomechanical tool rather than general purpose simulation, so it assumes the user is a rock mechanics engineer

MineSight

  • MineSight (now part of Hexagon Mining) sells time-limited lease licenses rather than perpetual seats for exploration-stage users: License to Explore is scoped explicitly to "the life of a drilling campaign" and comes as two separate products, HxM Explorer and HxM Modeler, with additional functionality (UAV point-cloud surface meshing, a QAQC module) sold as further add-ons rather than included (archived press release, 6 March 2016)

Pricing, plan by plan

3DEC

On request
  • 3DEC Professional$25000/year
    • 3D distinct element analysis
    • Block-to-block interaction
    • Support installation modeling

MineSight

On request
  • MineSight Core$18000/year
    • Geological modeling
    • Mine design
    • Block modeling
  • MineSight Advanced$35000/year
    • Production scheduling
    • Resource estimation
    • Advanced optimization

Which should you pick?

Choose 3DEC if

  • You need 3d distinct element analysis.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want block motion tracking.
3DEC review

Choose MineSight if

  • You need geological modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want 3d mine design.
MineSight review

Questions people ask

Is 3DEC or MineSight better?
Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and MineSight at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3DEC or MineSight?
3DEC starts at On request and MineSight at On request.
Does 3DEC or MineSight run on more platforms?
3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. MineSight runs on Windows.
What is 3DEC best used for?
3DEC is most often used for three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materials, slope stability and pillar analysis for mining, blast and earthquake dynamic analysis, groundwater flow through fractured rock. Of those, three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materials and slope stability and pillar analysis for mining are not what MineSight is typically brought in for.
What can 3DEC do that MineSight cannot?
3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. MineSight covers Geological modeling, 3D mine design, Production scheduling, Resource estimation. Both handle Vulcan, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

3DEC: Does 3DEC offer a free trial before purchasing?

Yes, 3DEC provides a free demo download available via the REQUEST DEMO button on their website. However, the specific trial period length is not stated on the product page.

Source
3DEC: What licensing models does 3DEC support?

3DEC offers both subscription-based licenses (annual) and perpetual licenses. Subscription licenses are available through their FastSpring store with annual subscription terms.

Source
3DEC: How is 3DEC pricing determined?

3DEC uses a quote-based pricing model rather than publishing fixed rates. Customers can request a quote through the website or purchase through their software store, with pricing customized based on specific needs.

Source
3DEC: What support resources are included with 3DEC?

3DEC includes documentation, tutorials, forum access, FAQs, applied examples, and training courses. Support appears to be included with purchases rather than sold separately.

Source
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