Softwr

Software · head to head

PCBC vs Surpac

PCBC logo

PCBC

Software

Pit optimisation and scheduling software

From
On request
Rated
-
Surpac logo

Surpac

Software

Geology and mine planning software for all mining methods

From
On request
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PCBC dassault Systemes GEOVIA PCBC has no published commercial pricing and is sold via direct contact, with a separate Academic License Program as the only named alternative tier; Surpac 3ds.com's Surpac page describes nine product modules in detail but every pricing action is a 'Speak with an expert' or 'Contact us' CTA, with no edition names or figures published
  • They diverge on capability: PCBC covers Pit optimization, Surpac covers Geological database.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PCBC and Surpac actually diverge.

Attributes where PCBC and Surpac differ
AttributePCBCSurpac

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (1981).

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 PCBC

  • Pit optimization
  • Pushback scheduling
  • Cutoff grade analysis
  • NPV maximization
  • Sensitivity analysis
  • Surpac
  • Vulcan

Only in Surpac

  • Geological database
  • Block modeling
  • Mine design
  • Resource estimation
  • Workflow automation
  • PCBC
  • GEMS
  • 3DEXPERIENCE

Both cover

  • Whittle
  • MineSched
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

PCBC

  • Pit optimizationnot Surpac
  • Pushback designnot Surpac
  • Cutoff optimizationnot Surpac
  • Economic analysisnot Surpac

Surpac

  • Geological modelingnot PCBC
  • Mine planningnot PCBC
  • Resource estimationnot PCBC
  • Grade controlnot PCBC
  • Production trackingnot PCBC

Where each one falls short

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

PCBC

  • Dassault Systemes GEOVIA PCBC has no published commercial pricing and is sold via direct contact, with a separate Academic License Program as the only named alternative tier

Surpac

  • 3ds.com's Surpac page describes nine product modules in detail but every pricing action is a 'Speak with an expert' or 'Contact us' CTA, with no edition names or figures published

Pricing, plan by plan

PCBC

On request
  • PCBC Standard$12000/year
    • Pit optimization
    • Pushback design
    • Economic analysis

Surpac

On request
  • Surpac Core$6000/year
    • 3D visualization
    • Geological database
    • Surface modeling
  • Surpac Advanced$12000/year
    • Block modeling
    • Resource estimation
    • Mine design
  • Surpac Complete$20000/year
    • All modules
    • Underground planning
    • Scheduling integration

Which should you pick?

Choose PCBC if

  • You need pit optimization.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want pushback scheduling.

Choose Surpac if

  • You need geological database.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want block modeling.

Questions people ask

Is PCBC or Surpac better?
Neither clearly leads. PCBC starts at On request and Surpac at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PCBC or Surpac?
PCBC starts at On request and Surpac at On request.
Does PCBC or Surpac run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is PCBC best used for?
PCBC is most often used for pit optimization, pushback design, cutoff optimization, economic analysis. Of those, pit optimization and pushback design are not what Surpac is typically brought in for.
What can PCBC do that Surpac cannot?
PCBC covers Pit optimization, Pushback scheduling, Cutoff grade analysis, NPV maximization. Surpac covers Geological database, Block modeling, Mine design, Resource estimation. Both handle Whittle, MineSched, Windows support.

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