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Mining · head to head

Carlson Mining vs Micromine

Carlson Mining logo

Carlson Mining

Mining

Mining and surveying software solution

From
On request
Rated
-
Micromine logo

Micromine

Mining

Exploration and mine design software solution

From
On request
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Carlson Mining no pricing published on primary domain; Micromine no pricing information published on website
  • They diverge on capability: Carlson Mining covers Pit design, Micromine covers Data management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Carlson Mining and Micromine actually diverge.

Attributes where Carlson Mining and Micromine differ
AttributeCarlson MiningMicromine
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsWindowsWeb
Founded19831986

Identical on both: starting price (On request), 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 Carlson Mining

  • Pit design
  • Grade control
  • Production planning
  • Survey integration
  • Mapping
  • GPS
  • GNSS systems

Only in Micromine

  • Data management
  • Geological modeling
  • Resource estimation
  • Mine design
  • Scheduling
  • Leapfrog
  • Vulcan
  • Excel

Both cover

  • AutoCAD
  • ArcGIS
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Carlson Mining

  • Pit designnot Micromine
  • Grade controlnot Micromine
  • Mine planningnot Micromine
  • Surveyingnot Micromine
  • Mappingnot Micromine

Micromine

  • Geological exploration and modellingnot Carlson Mining
  • Resource estimation and geostatisticsnot Carlson Mining
  • Mine design and surveyingnot Carlson Mining
  • Mine planning and schedulingnot Carlson Mining
  • Fleet management and mine operationsnot Carlson Mining

Where each one falls short

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

Carlson Mining

  • No pricing published on primary domain
  • No pricing page accessible via /pricing or /plans
  • Vendor contact required to obtain cost information

Micromine

  • No pricing information published on website
  • Customers must schedule demos to learn pricing
  • Pricing requires direct sales contact

Pricing, plan by plan

Carlson Mining

On request
  • Carlson Mining Standard$7000/year
    • Mining design
    • Pit design
    • Grade control
  • Carlson Mining Professional$15000/year
    • Advanced mine planning
    • Production scheduling
    • Equipment management

Micromine

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Micromine review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Carlson Mining if

  • You need pit design.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want grade control.

Choose Micromine if

  • You need data management.
  • You also want geological modeling.

Questions people ask

Is Carlson Mining or Micromine better?
Neither clearly leads. Carlson Mining starts at On request and Micromine at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Carlson Mining or Micromine?
Carlson Mining starts at On request and Micromine at On request.
Does Carlson Mining or Micromine run on more platforms?
Carlson Mining runs on Windows. Micromine runs on Web.
What is Carlson Mining best used for?
Carlson Mining is most often used for pit design, grade control, mine planning, surveying. Of those, pit design and grade control are not what Micromine is typically brought in for.
What can Carlson Mining do that Micromine cannot?
Carlson Mining covers Pit design, Grade control, Production planning, Survey integration. Micromine covers Data management, Geological modeling, Resource estimation, Mine design. Both handle AutoCAD, ArcGIS, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Carlson Mining: How much does Carlson Software cost?

Carlson Software does not publish pricing. No pricing page is available on carlsonsw.com. Contact the vendor directly for quotes and licensing terms.

Source
Micromine: How much does Micromine software cost?

Micromine does not publish pricing on their website. Customers are directed to schedule a demo with a specialist or contact the sales team to obtain pricing information for Micromine mining software.

Source
Carlson Mining: What is Carlson Software's pricing model?

Carlson Software's pricing model is not published online. The vendor appears to use a custom quote or contact-sales model. Reach out to their sales team to discuss your specific project needs.

Source
Micromine: What is Micromine's business model for pricing?

Micromine uses a custom pricing model that requires direct engagement with their sales team. The company emphasizes consultation with specialists and custom demonstrations rather than transparent online pricing.

Source
Micromine: Does Micromine offer free trials or consultations?

Micromine's website emphasizes connecting with representatives for demos, consultations, and training support. Specific trial availability and terms are discussed directly with their sales team.

Source
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