Softwr

Mining · head to head

RPMGlobal XPAC vs Vulcan

RPMGlobal XPAC logo

RPMGlobal XPAC

Mining

Production scheduling and planning optimization

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vulcan logo

Vulcan

Mining

Industry-standard 3D mine planning and modeling software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: RPMGlobal XPAC rPMGlobal publishes no price, no licence model and no purchase route for XPAC; the software pages carry no cost information at all; Vulcan neither the Vulcan product page nor the Maptek store page shows a price, a licence term or a subscription length
  • They diverge on capability: RPMGlobal XPAC covers Resource allocation, Vulcan covers Geological modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which RPMGlobal XPAC and Vulcan actually diverge.

Attributes where RPMGlobal XPAC and Vulcan differ
AttributeRPMGlobal XPACVulcan
PlatformsWindows, WebWindows
Founded19951981

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 RPMGlobal XPAC

  • Resource allocation
  • Constraint optimization
  • Multi-scenario planning
  • Real-time updates
  • Vulcan
  • Whittle
  • ERP systems
  • Web support

Only in Vulcan

  • Geological modeling
  • Block modeling
  • Mine design
  • Resource estimation
  • Surpac
  • Leapfrog
  • I-Site
  • SAP

Both cover

  • Production scheduling
  • MineSched
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

RPMGlobal XPAC

  • Midterm and strategic mine production schedulingnot Vulcan
  • Building life of mine schedules from geological and mine design datanot Vulcan
  • Comparing scheduling scenarios for open cut and underground operationsnot Vulcan

Vulcan

  • Geological modelling, block modelling and resource estimationnot RPMGlobal XPAC
  • Open pit and underground mine design and schedulingnot RPMGlobal XPAC
  • Grade control and geotechnical analysis at operating minesnot RPMGlobal XPAC

Where each one falls short

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

RPMGlobal XPAC

  • RPMGlobal publishes no price, no licence model and no purchase route for XPAC; the software pages carry no cost information at all
  • XPAC is one of roughly 40 separate RPMGlobal products, so scheduling, simulation and asset management are separate purchases
  • Obtaining any pricing requires contacting the vendor through a contact or support form

Vulcan

  • Neither the Vulcan product page nor the Maptek store page shows a price, a licence term or a subscription length
  • Vulcan is a base product extended by nine paid add on modules covering geology and estimation, open pit design, underground design, scheduling, grade control and geotechnics, so the entry licence does not cover a full workflow
  • Buying requires going through the Maptek store or contacting Maptek directly for a quote

Pricing, plan by plan

RPMGlobal XPAC

On request
  • XPAC Standard$21000/year
    • Production scheduling
    • Resource optimization
    • Constraint management

Vulcan

On request
  • Vulcan Standard$8000/year
    • 3D modeling
    • Mine design
    • Block modeling
  • Vulcan Professional$15000/year
    • Advanced geostatistics
    • Resource estimation
    • Pit optimization
  • Vulcan Enterprise$25000/year
    • All modules
    • Custom solutions
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose RPMGlobal XPAC if

  • You need resource allocation.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want constraint optimization.
RPMGlobal XPAC review

Choose Vulcan if

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

Questions people ask

Is RPMGlobal XPAC or Vulcan better?
Neither clearly leads. RPMGlobal XPAC starts at On request and Vulcan at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, RPMGlobal XPAC or Vulcan?
RPMGlobal XPAC starts at On request and Vulcan at On request.
Does RPMGlobal XPAC or Vulcan run on more platforms?
RPMGlobal XPAC runs on Windows, Web. Vulcan runs on Windows.
What is RPMGlobal XPAC best used for?
RPMGlobal XPAC is most often used for midterm and strategic mine production scheduling, building life of mine schedules from geological and mine design data, comparing scheduling scenarios for open cut and underground operations. Of those, midterm and strategic mine production scheduling and building life of mine schedules from geological and mine design data are not what Vulcan is typically brought in for.
What can RPMGlobal XPAC do that Vulcan cannot?
RPMGlobal XPAC covers Resource allocation, Constraint optimization, Multi-scenario planning, Real-time updates. Vulcan covers Geological modeling, Block modeling, Mine design, Resource estimation. Both handle Production scheduling, MineSched, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Vulcan: How do I purchase Vulcan software?

Vulcan can be purchased through Maptek's online store at store.maptek.com, or by contacting Maptek directly through their website contact form for assistance with licensing options.

Source
Vulcan: What support resources are available for Vulcan users?

Maptek provides comprehensive support through their Help portal at help.maptek.com/vulcan/, customer support contact options, and a Maptek Account system for managing licenses and downloads.

Source
Vulcan: Can I work offline with Vulcan licenses?

Yes, Maptek Account includes "secure borrowing and fail-safe modes" that "support working from anywhere, including offline."

Source
Vulcan: What add-ons are available for Vulcan, and how do they expand functionality?

Vulcan offers specialized add-ons for geology, open pit/underground design, optimization, scheduling, grade control, geotechnical analysis, and drillhole optimization to support specific mining roles and operational tasks.

Source
Vulcan: Is training available for Vulcan users?

Maptek offers comprehensive training programs through multiple regional centers including Australia, North America, Europe, and Southern Africa, with both online and in-person options available.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on RPMGlobal XPAC

More on Vulcan

Keep looking

Other head to heads