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Mining · head to head

Promine vs UDEC

Promine logo

Promine

Mining

Complete mining software suite built on AutoCAD

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: Promine requires AutoCAD or BricsCAD license for use, adding to total cost of ownership; UDEC the UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store
  • They diverge on capability: Promine covers AutoCAD integration, UDEC covers Distinct element modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Promine and UDEC actually diverge.

Attributes where Promine and UDEC differ
AttributePromineUDEC
PlatformsWindowsWindows, Linux
Founded19931981

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 Promine

  • AutoCAD integration
  • Drill hole management
  • Block modeling
  • Underground planning
  • Ventilation design
  • Surpac
  • Excel
  • Database systems

Only in UDEC

  • Distinct element modeling
  • Joint network modeling
  • Block interaction analysis
  • Support interaction
  • Dynamic analysis
  • FLAC3D
  • 3DEC
  • Linux support

Both cover

  • AutoCAD
  • Leapfrog
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Promine

  • Mine designnot UDEC
  • Geological modelingnot UDEC
  • Underground planningnot UDEC
  • Ventilation analysisnot UDEC

UDEC

  • Geotechnical engineering simulationsnot Promine
  • Discrete element modeling and analysisnot Promine
  • Mining and tunneling software analysisnot Promine

Where each one falls short

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

Promine

  • Requires AutoCAD or BricsCAD license for use, adding to total cost of ownership
  • Limited standalone capability compared to all-in-one mining software

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

Promine

On request
  • Promine Standard$3500/year
    • Drill hole management
    • Block modeling
    • Geological modeling
  • Promine Professional$6000/year
    • All Standard features
    • Underground planning
    • Ventilation analysis
  • Enterprise$15000/year
    • All modules included
    • Unlimited users
    • Priority support

UDEC

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Promine if

  • You need autocad integration.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want drill hole management.
Promine 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 Promine or UDEC better?
Neither clearly leads. Promine 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, Promine or UDEC?
Promine starts at On request and UDEC at On request.
Does Promine or UDEC run on more platforms?
Promine runs on Windows. UDEC runs on Windows, Linux.
What is Promine best used for?
Promine is most often used for mine design, geological modeling, underground planning, ventilation analysis. Of those, mine design and geological modeling are not what UDEC is typically brought in for.
What can Promine do that UDEC cannot?
Promine covers AutoCAD integration, Drill hole management, Block modeling, Underground planning. UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Joint network modeling, Block interaction analysis, Support interaction. Both handle AutoCAD, Leapfrog, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Promine: What CAD platforms does Promine support?

Promine is available as a plugin for AutoCAD and BricsCAD. It is supported on AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil3D, and BricsCAD versions 2014 through the newest released versions.

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
Promine: What file formats can Promine import?

Promine is compatible with files in .dxf, .dm, .txt and .csv formats, allowing integration with drawings from other mining software.

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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