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Mining · head to head

K-MINE vs UDEC

K-MINE logo

K-MINE

Mining

Mine planning and optimization software

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: 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; UDEC the UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store
  • They diverge on capability: K-MINE covers Mine planning, UDEC covers Distinct element modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where K-MINE and UDEC differ
AttributeK-MINEUDEC
PlatformsWindowsWindows, Linux
Founded20011981

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 UDEC

  • Distinct element modeling
  • Joint network modeling
  • Block interaction analysis
  • Support interaction
  • Dynamic analysis
  • FLAC3D
  • 3DEC
  • 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 UDEC
  • Underground mine design, stope optimisation and ventilation analysisnot UDEC
  • Geological modelling and grade estimation from drillhole datanot UDEC
  • Drill and blast design and slope stability analysisnot UDEC

UDEC

  • Geotechnical engineering simulationsnot K-MINE
  • Discrete element modeling and analysisnot K-MINE
  • Mining and tunneling software analysisnot 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

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

K-MINE

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

UDEC

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

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 UDEC if

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

Questions people ask

Is K-MINE or UDEC better?
Neither clearly leads. K-MINE 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, K-MINE or UDEC?
K-MINE starts at On request and UDEC at On request.
Does K-MINE or UDEC run on more platforms?
K-MINE runs on Windows. UDEC 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 UDEC is typically brought in for.
What can K-MINE do that UDEC cannot?
K-MINE covers Mine planning, 3D design, Production scheduling, Economic evaluation. UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Joint network modeling, Block interaction analysis, Support interaction. 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
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
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
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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