Softwr

Mining · head to head

Datamine vs UDEC

D

Datamine

Mining

Integrated mining software for resource estimation and planning

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
U

UDEC

Mining

Universal distinct element code for mining analysis

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Datamine datamine publishes no price, no licence term and no named cost driver; the planning pages route buyers to a consultation or a sales contact form; UDEC the UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store
  • They diverge on capability: Datamine covers Resource estimation, UDEC covers Distinct element modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Datamine and UDEC actually diverge.

Attributes where Datamine and UDEC differ
AttributeDatamineUDEC
PlatformsWindowsWindows, Linux
Founded19861981

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Datamine

  • Resource estimation
  • Geostatistical analysis
  • Geological modeling
  • Block modeling
  • Grade control
  • Vulcan
  • Surpac
  • MineSight

Only in UDEC

  • Distinct element modeling
  • Joint network modeling
  • Block interaction analysis
  • Support interaction
  • Dynamic analysis
  • FLAC3D
  • 3DEC
  • AutoCAD

Both cover

  • Leapfrog
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Datamine

  • Geological modelling and resource estimation for mining projectsnot UDEC
  • Open pit and underground mine design and schedulingnot UDEC
  • Drill and blast design, survey and production reconciliationnot UDEC

UDEC

  • Geotechnical engineering simulationsnot Datamine
  • Discrete element modeling and analysisnot Datamine
  • Mining and tunneling software analysisnot Datamine

Where each one falls short

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

Datamine

  • Datamine publishes no price, no licence term and no named cost driver; the planning pages route buyers to a consultation or a sales contact form
  • The portfolio is split into many separate products across strategy, design, scheduling, blasting, survey and production, so a complete workflow requires assembling several licences
  • Products acquired from other vendors, including Minemax Scheduler and Minemax Tempo, are now sold inside Datamine bundles rather than standalone

UDEC

  • The UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store
  • Fluid Flow, Barton-Bandis joint analysis, Creep, Thermal and User Defined Models are optional add ons charged on top of the base licence
  • Writing custom constitutive models requires the separately licensed UDM option and C++ programming
  • Purchases through the Buy Now route are prepaid annual subscriptions rather than a permanent licence

Pricing, plan by plan

Datamine

On request
  • Datamine Studio$14000/year
    • Resource estimation
    • Geostatistics
    • Geological modeling
  • Datamine Advanced$24000/year
    • Advanced optimization
    • Strategic planning
    • Risk analysis

UDEC

On request
  • UDEC Professional$19000/year
    • Distinct element analysis
    • Joint modeling
    • Block interaction

Which should you pick?

Choose Datamine if

  • You need resource estimation.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want geostatistical analysis.
Datamine review

Choose UDEC if

  • You need distinct element modeling.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want joint network modeling.
UDEC review

Questions people ask

Is Datamine or UDEC better?
Neither clearly leads. Datamine starts at On request and UDEC at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Datamine or UDEC?
Datamine starts at On request and UDEC at On request.
Does Datamine or UDEC run on more platforms?
Datamine runs on Windows. UDEC runs on Windows, Linux.
What is Datamine best used for?
Datamine is most often used for geological modelling and resource estimation for mining projects, open pit and underground mine design and scheduling, drill and blast design, survey and production reconciliation. Of those, geological modelling and resource estimation for mining projects and open pit and underground mine design and scheduling are not what UDEC is typically brought in for.
What can Datamine do that UDEC cannot?
Datamine covers Resource estimation, Geostatistical analysis, Geological modeling, Block modeling. UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Joint network modeling, Block interaction analysis, Support interaction. Both handle Leapfrog, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

UDEC: How much does UDEC cost?

UDEC pricing is not published on the product page. The vendor directs inquiries through an 'Ask an Expert' contact option at [email protected] or a 'Request a Quote' option through the itascasoftware.com store.

Source
UDEC: What is UDEC's pricing model?

UDEC is available through a subscription model rather than one-time licensing. Prepaid annual subscriptions are available through the software store, and pricing is customized based on quote requests.

Source
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