Software · head to head
Fusion Mining vs Vulcan
Vulcan
Software
Industry-standard 3D mine planning and modeling software
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- They diverge on capability: Fusion Mining covers Database management, Vulcan covers Block modeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Fusion Mining and Vulcan actually diverge.
| Attribute | Fusion Mining | Vulcan |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 | 1981 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Fusion Mining
- Database management
- 3D visualization
- Vulcan
- AutoCAD
- Excel
Only in Vulcan
- Block modeling
- Production scheduling
- Surpac
- I-Site
- SAP
- MineSched
Both cover
- Geological modeling
- Mine design
- Resource estimation
- Leapfrog
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Fusion Mining
- Geological modelingnot Vulcan
- Mine planningnot Vulcan
- Resource estimationnot Vulcan
- Exploration databasesnot Vulcan
Vulcan
- Geological modelling, block modelling and resource estimationnot Fusion Mining
- Open pit and underground mine design and schedulingnot Fusion Mining
- Grade control and geotechnical analysis at operating minesnot Fusion Mining
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Fusion Mining
Nothing recorded yet. See the Fusion Mining review.
Vulcan
- Neither the Vulcan product page nor the Maptek store page shows a price, a licence term or a subscription length
- Vulcan is a base product extended by nine paid add on modules covering geology and estimation, open pit design, underground design, scheduling, grade control and geotechnics, so the entry licence does not cover a full workflow
- Buying requires going through the Maptek store or contacting Maptek directly for a quote
Pricing, plan by plan
Fusion Mining
On request- Fusion Standard$8500/year
- Geological modeling
- Mine design
- Resource estimation
Vulcan
On request- Vulcan Standard$8000/year
- 3D modeling
- Mine design
- Block modeling
- Vulcan Professional$15000/year
- Advanced geostatistics
- Resource estimation
- Pit optimization
- Vulcan Enterprise$25000/year
- All modules
- Custom solutions
- Priority support
Which should you pick?
Choose Fusion Mining if
- You need database management.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want 3d visualization.
Choose Vulcan if
- You need block modeling.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want production scheduling.
Questions people ask
- Is Fusion Mining or Vulcan better?
- Neither clearly leads. Fusion Mining starts at On request and Vulcan at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Fusion Mining or Vulcan?
- Fusion Mining starts at On request and Vulcan at On request.
- Does Fusion Mining or Vulcan run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is Fusion Mining best used for?
- Fusion Mining is most often used for geological modeling, mine planning, resource estimation, exploration databases. Of those, geological modeling and mine planning are not what Vulcan is typically brought in for.
- What can Fusion Mining do that Vulcan cannot?
- Fusion Mining covers Database management, 3D visualization, Vulcan, AutoCAD. Vulcan covers Block modeling, Production scheduling, Surpac, I-Site. Both handle Geological modeling, Mine design, Resource estimation, Leapfrog.