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Mining · head to head

Surpac vs Vulcan

Surpac logo

Surpac

Mining

Geology and mine planning software for all mining methods

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: 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; 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: Surpac covers Geological database, Vulcan covers Geological modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Surpac and Vulcan actually diverge.

Attributes where Surpac and Vulcan differ
AttributeSurpacVulcan

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

  • Geological database
  • Workflow automation
  • PCBC
  • Whittle
  • GEMS
  • 3DEXPERIENCE

Only in Vulcan

  • Geological modeling
  • Production scheduling
  • Surpac
  • Leapfrog
  • I-Site
  • SAP

Both cover

  • Block modeling
  • Mine design
  • Resource estimation
  • MineSched
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Surpac

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

Vulcan

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

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

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 Surpac if

  • You need geological database.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want workflow automation.
Surpac review

Choose Vulcan if

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

Questions people ask

Is Surpac or Vulcan better?
Neither clearly leads. Surpac 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, Surpac or Vulcan?
Surpac starts at On request and Vulcan at On request.
Does Surpac or Vulcan run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is Surpac best used for?
Surpac is most often used for geological modeling, mine planning, resource estimation, grade control. Of those, geological modeling and mine planning are not what Vulcan is typically brought in for.
What can Surpac do that Vulcan cannot?
Surpac covers Geological database, Workflow automation, PCBC, Whittle. Vulcan covers Geological modeling, Production scheduling, Surpac, Leapfrog. Both handle Block modeling, Mine design, Resource estimation, MineSched.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Surpac: What is the pricing for GEOVIA Surpac?

GEOVIA Surpac does not publish pricing on its website. Pricing must be obtained by contacting Dassault Systèmes directly through their sales process.

Source
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
Surpac: Is a trial version available without contacting sales?

The product page does not mention a self-service trial. To access a trial or demo, you need to contact the sales team through the website's contact form.

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
Surpac: Are there different editions or licensing options for Surpac?

The product page does not specify different editions or licensing options. Details about licensing variations are available only through direct contact with Dassault Systèmes.

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
Surpac: How do I get started with GEOVIA Surpac?

To get started, you can join the GEOVIA user community or contact Dassault Systèmes directly using the contact link on the product page.

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
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