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Mining · head to head

K-MINE vs PLAXIS

K-MINE logo

K-MINE

Mining

Mine planning and optimization software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PLAXIS logo

PLAXIS

Mining

Finite element software for geotechnical analysis

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: K-MINE modules are licensed separately as annual subscriptions, from 2,700 USD a year for Infrastructure up to 9,480 USD a year for Open Pit Design; PLAXIS bentley states the cost of PLAXIS 2D, 2D Advanced, 2D Ultimate and the 2D WorkSuite varies per region, and publishes no rate on the product page
  • They diverge on capability: K-MINE covers Mine planning, PLAXIS covers 2D & 3D finite element analysis.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which K-MINE and PLAXIS actually diverge.

Attributes where K-MINE and PLAXIS differ
AttributeK-MINEPLAXIS
PlatformsWindowsWindows, Linux
Founded20011984

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 K-MINE

  • Mine planning
  • 3D design
  • Production scheduling
  • Economic evaluation
  • Risk analysis
  • Vulcan
  • Surpac
  • Datamine

Only in PLAXIS

  • 2D & 3D finite element analysis
  • Advanced soil modeling
  • Slope stability assessment
  • Excavation design
  • Support design
  • GeoStudio
  • ArcGIS
  • Leapfrog

Both cover

  • AutoCAD
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

K-MINE

  • Open pit surveying, pit design, scheduling and pit optimisationnot PLAXIS
  • Underground mine design, stope optimisation and ventilation analysisnot PLAXIS
  • Geological modelling and grade estimation from drillhole datanot PLAXIS
  • Drill and blast design and slope stability analysisnot PLAXIS

PLAXIS

  • Finite element analysis of soil and rock deformation and stabilitynot K-MINE
  • Designing excavations, tunnels, embankments and foundationsnot K-MINE
  • Modelling groundwater flow, consolidation and seismic response in geotechnical worksnot K-MINE

Where each one falls short

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

K-MINE

  • Modules are licensed separately as annual subscriptions, from 2,700 USD a year for Infrastructure up to 9,480 USD a year for Open Pit Design
  • Geology is 9,060 USD a year, Pit Optimizer 8,580 USD, Scheduling 7,380 USD, Stope Optimization 6,960 USD and Surveying 6,600 USD, so a full workflow means stacking several module subscriptions
  • A licence is assigned either to a dedicated server or to a single computer workstation, with one active device at a time
  • Licences are online, with offline access limited to 2 days
  • Training is priced by custom quote and is not included in the published module rates
  • Volume discounts are referenced but no discount rate or qualifying quantity is published

PLAXIS

  • Bentley states the cost of PLAXIS 2D, 2D Advanced, 2D Ultimate and the 2D WorkSuite varies per region, and publishes no rate on the product page
  • Consolidation, creep, groundwater flow and heat flow require the Advanced edition rather than the base PLAXIS 2D
  • Dynamic, vibration and transient analysis require the Ultimate edition
  • A perpetual licence only carries support and licence exchange rights while a paid annual SELECT subscription is maintained
  • The Virtuoso subscription route is a 12 month lease, not an ongoing entitlement

Pricing, plan by plan

K-MINE

On request
  • K-MINE Professional$9000/year
    • Mine planning
    • 3D design
    • Scheduling

PLAXIS

On request
  • Virtuoso Subscription$undefined/12-month
    • Software access
    • Training included
    • Auto-renewal
  • Perpetual License with SELECT$undefined/mo
    • One-time purchase
    • Annual maintenance subscription
    • 24/7 technical support
  • Enterprise Plans$undefined/mo
    • Custom arrangements
    • Global pricing
    • Comprehensive software portfolio

Which should you pick?

Choose K-MINE if

  • You need mine planning.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want 3d design.
K-MINE review

Choose PLAXIS if

  • You need 2d & 3d finite element analysis.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want advanced soil modeling.
PLAXIS review

Questions people ask

Is K-MINE or PLAXIS better?
Neither clearly leads. K-MINE starts at On request and PLAXIS at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, K-MINE or PLAXIS?
K-MINE starts at On request and PLAXIS at On request.
Does K-MINE or PLAXIS run on more platforms?
K-MINE runs on Windows. PLAXIS runs on Windows, Linux.
What is K-MINE best used for?
K-MINE is most often used for open pit surveying, pit design, scheduling and pit optimisation, underground mine design, stope optimisation and ventilation analysis, geological modelling and grade estimation from drillhole data, drill and blast design and slope stability analysis. Of those, open pit surveying, pit design, scheduling and pit optimisation and underground mine design, stope optimisation and ventilation analysis are not what PLAXIS is typically brought in for.
What can K-MINE do that PLAXIS cannot?
K-MINE covers Mine planning, 3D design, Production scheduling, Economic evaluation. PLAXIS covers 2D & 3D finite element analysis, Advanced soil modeling, Slope stability assessment, Excavation design. Both handle AutoCAD, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

K-MINE: How much does K-MINE cost?

K-MINE does not publish pricing publicly. Customers must visit the dedicated pricing page, request a demo, or contact the sales team via phone or scheduling link to obtain quote information.

Source
PLAXIS: What are PLAXIS software tiers?

PLAXIS offers four main tiers: PLAXIS 3D (basic deformation and safety analysis), PLAXIS 3D Advanced (creep/flow-deformation coupling and consolidation), PLAXIS 3D Ultimate (dynamic vibration analysis and time-dependent groundwater flow), and 3D WorkSuite (combines PLAXIS 3D Ultimate with GeoStudio 3D Advanced).

Source
K-MINE: What pricing options does K-MINE offer?

K-MINE offers software licenses, consulting services, training, and support options. Exact pricing is determined through custom quotes based on requirements.

Source
PLAXIS: What licensing models does PLAXIS offer?

PLAXIS offers three licensing approaches: 12-month Virtuoso Subscription (recommended for small to medium businesses), Perpetual License with SELECT (one-time purchase plus annual maintenance), and Enterprise Plans (custom arrangements for larger organizations). Regional pricing varies.

Source
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