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Mining & Resources · head to head

Minemax vs PLAXIS

Minemax logo

Minemax

Mining & Resources

Integrated mining software for geological and operational excellence

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PLAXIS logo

PLAXIS

Mining & Resources

Finite element software for geotechnical analysis

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Minemax minemax.com/products returns a 301 redirect to dataminesoftware.com; Minemax products are now sold within the Datamine planning range; 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: Minemax covers Geological modeling, PLAXIS covers 2D & 3D finite element analysis.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Minemax and PLAXIS actually diverge.

Attributes where Minemax and PLAXIS differ
AttributeMinemaxPLAXIS
PlatformsWindowsWindows, Linux
Founded19951984

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining & Resources).

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 Minemax

  • Geological modeling
  • Mine design
  • Resource estimation
  • Production scheduling
  • Pit optimization
  • Datamine
  • Vulcan
  • Surpac

Only in PLAXIS

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

Both cover

  • Leapfrog
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Minemax

  • Strategic open pit and underground mine schedule optimisationnot PLAXIS
  • Life of mine planning to maximise net present valuenot PLAXIS
  • Operational short interval mine schedulingnot PLAXIS

PLAXIS

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

Where each one falls short

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

Minemax

  • minemax.com/products returns a 301 redirect to dataminesoftware.com; Minemax products are now sold within the Datamine planning range
  • No pricing is published for any Minemax product; licences are obtained by contacting the Datamine sales team
  • Products are sold as role based Planning Bundles rather than individual licences, with the claimed saving of up to 33 percent measured against standalone licence cost

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

Minemax

On request
  • Minemax Standard$13000/year
    • Geological modeling
    • Mine design
    • Resource estimation
  • Minemax Premium$23000/year
    • Advanced optimization
    • Production scheduling
    • Fleet management

PLAXIS

On request
  • PLAXIS 2D$16000/year
    • 2D finite element analysis
    • Slope stability
    • Mine design
  • PLAXIS 3D$28000/year
    • 3D finite element analysis
    • Complex geometry modeling
    • Advanced soil modeling

Which should you pick?

Choose Minemax if

  • You need geological modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want mine design.
Minemax 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 Minemax or PLAXIS better?
Neither clearly leads. Minemax 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, Minemax or PLAXIS?
Minemax starts at On request and PLAXIS at On request.
Does Minemax or PLAXIS run on more platforms?
Minemax runs on Windows. PLAXIS runs on Windows, Linux.
What is Minemax best used for?
Minemax is most often used for strategic open pit and underground mine schedule optimisation, life of mine planning to maximise net present value, operational short interval mine scheduling. Of those, strategic open pit and underground mine schedule optimisation and life of mine planning to maximise net present value are not what PLAXIS is typically brought in for.
What can Minemax do that PLAXIS cannot?
Minemax covers Geological modeling, Mine design, Resource estimation, Production scheduling. PLAXIS covers 2D & 3D finite element analysis, Advanced soil modeling, Slope stability assessment, Excavation design. Both handle Leapfrog, Windows support.
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