Mining & Resources · head to head
UDEC vs Datamine
U
UDEC
Mining & Resources
Universal distinct element code for mining analysis
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
D
Datamine
Mining & Resources
Integrated mining software for resource estimation and planning
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: UDEC the UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store; Datamine datamine publishes no price, no licence term and no named cost driver; the planning pages route buyers to a consultation or a sales contact form
- They diverge on capability: UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Datamine covers Resource estimation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which UDEC and Datamine actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining & Resources).
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 UDEC
- Distinct element modeling
- Joint network modeling
- Block interaction analysis
- Support interaction
- Dynamic analysis
- FLAC3D
- 3DEC
- AutoCAD
Only in Datamine
- Resource estimation
- Geostatistical analysis
- Geological modeling
- Block modeling
- Grade control
- Vulcan
- Surpac
- MineSight
Both cover
- Leapfrog
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
UDEC
- Two dimensional distinct element modelling of jointed and fractured rocknot Datamine
- Assessing stability of blocky rock slopes and underground excavationsnot Datamine
- Simulating fluid flow through rock fractures in mining and tunnellingnot Datamine
Datamine
- Geological modelling and resource estimation for mining projectsnot UDEC
- Open pit and underground mine design and schedulingnot UDEC
- Drill and blast design, survey and production reconciliationnot UDEC
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Datamine
- Datamine publishes no price, no licence term and no named cost driver; the planning pages route buyers to a consultation or a sales contact form
- The portfolio is split into many separate products across strategy, design, scheduling, blasting, survey and production, so a complete workflow requires assembling several licences
- Products acquired from other vendors, including Minemax Scheduler and Minemax Tempo, are now sold inside Datamine bundles rather than standalone
Pricing, plan by plan
UDEC
On request- UDEC Professional$19000/year
- Distinct element analysis
- Joint modeling
- Block interaction
Datamine
On request- Datamine Studio$14000/year
- Resource estimation
- Geostatistics
- Geological modeling
- Datamine Advanced$24000/year
- Advanced optimization
- Strategic planning
- Risk analysis
Which should you pick?
Choose UDEC if
- You need distinct element modeling.
- You work on Windows, Linux.
- You also want joint network modeling.
Choose Datamine if
- You need resource estimation.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want geostatistical analysis.
Questions people ask
- Is UDEC or Datamine better?
- Neither clearly leads. UDEC starts at On request and Datamine at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, UDEC or Datamine?
- UDEC starts at On request and Datamine at On request.
- Does UDEC or Datamine run on more platforms?
- UDEC runs on Windows, Linux. Datamine runs on Windows.
- What is UDEC best used for?
- UDEC is most often used for two dimensional distinct element modelling of jointed and fractured rock, assessing stability of blocky rock slopes and underground excavations, simulating fluid flow through rock fractures in mining and tunnelling. Of those, two dimensional distinct element modelling of jointed and fractured rock and assessing stability of blocky rock slopes and underground excavations are not what Datamine is typically brought in for.
- What can UDEC do that Datamine cannot?
- UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Joint network modeling, Block interaction analysis, Support interaction. Datamine covers Resource estimation, Geostatistical analysis, Geological modeling, Block modeling. Both handle Leapfrog, Windows support.