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Mining · head to head

3DEC vs Snowden Supervisor

3

3DEC

Mining

3D distinct element code for underground mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Snowden Supervisor logo

Snowden Supervisor

Mining

Real-time mine operations optimization

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; Snowden Supervisor specialized niche software with limited market reach outside mining and geostatistics
  • They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Snowden Supervisor covers Real-time scheduling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3DEC and Snowden Supervisor actually diverge.

Attributes where 3DEC and Snowden Supervisor differ
Attribute3DECSnowden Supervisor
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
  • Vulcan

Only in Snowden Supervisor

  • Real-time scheduling
  • Fleet optimization
  • Production tracking
  • Automated reconciliation
  • KPI dashboards
  • Datamine
  • Caterpillar MineStar
  • Komatsu FrontRunner

Both cover

  • 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 Snowden Supervisor
  • Slope stability and pillar analysis for miningnot Snowden Supervisor
  • Blast and earthquake dynamic analysisnot Snowden Supervisor
  • Groundwater flow through fractured rocknot Snowden Supervisor
  • Coupled thermal, mechanical and hydraulic modelling for geothermal, CO2 sequestration and nuclear wastenot Snowden Supervisor

Snowden Supervisor

  • Real-time operationsnot 3DEC
  • Fleet managementnot 3DEC
  • Production optimizationnot 3DEC
  • Short-term planningnot 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

Snowden Supervisor

  • Specialized niche software with limited market reach outside mining and geostatistics
  • No public pricing available; requires vendor contact
  • Limited documentation and community resources compared to general software

Pricing, plan by plan

3DEC

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

Snowden Supervisor

On request
  • Supervisor Standard$25000/year
    • Real-time scheduling
    • Fleet management
    • Production tracking
  • Supervisor Enterprise$50000/year
    • All Standard features
    • Advanced optimization
    • Multi-site support

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 Snowden Supervisor if

  • You need real-time scheduling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want fleet optimization.
Snowden Supervisor review

Questions people ask

Is 3DEC or Snowden Supervisor better?
Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and Snowden Supervisor at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3DEC or Snowden Supervisor?
3DEC starts at On request and Snowden Supervisor at On request.
Does 3DEC or Snowden Supervisor run on more platforms?
3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. Snowden Supervisor 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 Snowden Supervisor is typically brought in for.
What can 3DEC do that Snowden Supervisor cannot?
3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. Snowden Supervisor covers Real-time scheduling, Fleet optimization, Production tracking, Automated reconciliation. Both handle 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
Snowden Supervisor: What type of mining software is Snowden Supervisor?

Snowden Supervisor is a geostatistical software designed specifically for resource estimation professionals to perform advanced geological data analysis, spatial modeling, and resource estimation optimization.

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
Snowden Supervisor: What analysis tools does Snowden Supervisor include?

The Analysor V8 module provides statistical analysis and visualization with histograms, Q-Q plots for data distribution, and variogram modeling to understand spatial continuity and anisotropy in geological data.

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
Snowden Supervisor: Does Supervisor support conditional simulation?

Yes. Supervisor v8.14 includes a new Multivariate Conditional Simulation component allowing conditional sequential gaussian simulation over multiple variables while maintaining complex compositional correlations.

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
Snowden Supervisor: Is Snowden Supervisor integrated with major mine planning software?

Yes. Supervisor is compatible with all major mine planning software packages, with direct integration capabilities for Datamine products.

Source
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