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Mining · head to head

Minemax vs Whittle

Minemax logo

Minemax

Mining

Integrated mining software for geological and operational excellence

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Whittle logo

Whittle

Mining

Strategic open pit mine optimization software

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; Whittle the Internet Archive's capture of Dassault Systemes' GEOVIA Whittle page on 20 January 2021 named it as one of seven distinct GEOVIA mining products (alongside Surpac, GEMS, Minex, MineSched, PCBC, InSite), sold via a 'How to buy' contact process with no price figure published.
  • They diverge on capability: Minemax covers Geological modeling, Whittle covers NPV maximization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Minemax and Whittle actually diverge.

Attributes where Minemax and Whittle differ
AttributeMinemaxWhittle
Founded19951981

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows), 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 Minemax

  • Geological modeling
  • Mine design
  • Resource estimation
  • Production scheduling
  • Leapfrog
  • SAP

Only in Whittle

  • NPV maximization
  • Cutoff grade analysis
  • Pushback design
  • Economic modeling
  • MineSched
  • PCBC

Both cover

  • Pit optimization
  • Datamine
  • Vulcan
  • Surpac
  • 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 Whittle
  • Life of mine planning to maximise net present valuenot Whittle
  • Operational short interval mine schedulingnot Whittle

Whittle

  • Pit optimizationnot Minemax
  • Strategic planningnot Minemax
  • Feasibility studiesnot Minemax
  • Economic analysisnot Minemax
  • Scenario comparisonnot 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

Whittle

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Dassault Systemes' GEOVIA Whittle page on 20 January 2021 named it as one of seven distinct GEOVIA mining products (alongside Surpac, GEMS, Minex, MineSched, PCBC, InSite), sold via a 'How to buy' contact process with no price figure published.

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

Whittle

On request
  • Whittle Standard$15000/year
    • Pit optimization
    • Economic analysis
    • Multiple scenarios
  • Whittle Enterprise$25000/year
    • Advanced optimization
    • Scheduling integration
    • NPV maximization

Which should you pick?

Choose Minemax if

  • You need geological modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want mine design.
Minemax review

Choose Whittle if

  • You need npv maximization.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want cutoff grade analysis.
Whittle review

Questions people ask

Is Minemax or Whittle better?
Neither clearly leads. Minemax starts at On request and Whittle at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Minemax or Whittle?
Minemax starts at On request and Whittle at On request.
Does Minemax or Whittle run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 Whittle is typically brought in for.
What can Minemax do that Whittle cannot?
Minemax covers Geological modeling, Mine design, Resource estimation, Production scheduling. Whittle covers NPV maximization, Cutoff grade analysis, Pushback design, Economic modeling. Both handle Pit optimization, Datamine, Vulcan, Surpac.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Minemax: Is MineMax still sold under its original name?

No. MineMax has been consolidated into Datamine Software and is no longer sold as a standalone product. The product is referenced as 'Minemax Tempo' and other Minemax-branded modules within Datamine's planning bundles.

Source
Whittle: Where can I find pricing for GEOVIA Whittle?

Whittle is an advanced strategic mine planning product. Pricing information is not available on the public product page and requires contacting Dassault Systèmes directly through their contact form.

Source
Minemax: Does Datamine publish its pricing?

No. Datamine uses a role-based licensing model with demo and contact forms required to get pricing. The site directs prospects to 'Talk to us' rather than displaying public rates.

Source
Minemax: What is the licensing model for Datamine planning software?

Datamine offers role-based planning bundles including Strategic Mine Planner, Operations Planner, and Surveyor/Technician bundles. Each bundle includes a specific set of modules. A la carte individual licenses are also available.

Source
Minemax: Do bundled licenses offer savings?

Yes. Datamine states that bundled licenses can save up to 33 percent compared to purchasing standalone licenses for the same modules.

Source
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