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Mining · head to head

Vulcan vs Whittle

Vulcan logo

Vulcan

Mining

Industry-standard 3D mine planning and modeling software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Whittle logo

Whittle

Mining

Strategic open pit mine optimization software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Vulcan neither the Vulcan product page nor the Maptek store page shows a price, a licence term or a subscription length; Whittle the Internet Archive's capture of Dassault Systemes' GEOVIA Whittle page on 20 January 2021 named it as one of seven distinct GEOVIA mining products (alongside Surpac, GEMS, Minex, MineSched, PCBC, InSite), sold via a 'How to buy' contact process with no price figure published.
  • They diverge on capability: Vulcan covers Geological modeling, Whittle covers Pit optimization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Vulcan and Whittle actually diverge.

Attributes where Vulcan and Whittle differ
AttributeVulcanWhittle

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 Vulcan

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

Only in Whittle

  • Pit optimization
  • NPV maximization
  • Cutoff grade analysis
  • Pushback design
  • Economic modeling
  • PCBC
  • Vulcan
  • Datamine

Both cover

  • Surpac
  • MineSched
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Vulcan

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

Whittle

  • Pit optimizationnot Vulcan
  • Strategic planningnot Vulcan
  • Feasibility studiesnot Vulcan
  • Economic analysisnot Vulcan
  • Scenario comparisonnot Vulcan

Where each one falls short

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

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

Whittle

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Dassault Systemes' GEOVIA Whittle page on 20 January 2021 named it as one of seven distinct GEOVIA mining products (alongside Surpac, GEMS, Minex, MineSched, PCBC, InSite), sold via a 'How to buy' contact process with no price figure published.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Whittle

On request
  • Whittle Standard$15000/year
    • Pit optimization
    • Economic analysis
    • Multiple scenarios
  • Whittle Enterprise$25000/year
    • Advanced optimization
    • Scheduling integration
    • NPV maximization

Which should you pick?

Choose Vulcan if

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

Choose Whittle if

  • You need pit optimization.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want npv maximization.
Whittle review

Questions people ask

Is Vulcan or Whittle better?
Neither clearly leads. Vulcan starts at On request and Whittle at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Vulcan or Whittle?
Vulcan starts at On request and Whittle at On request.
Does Vulcan or Whittle run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is Vulcan best used for?
Vulcan is most often used for geological modelling, block modelling and resource estimation, open pit and underground mine design and scheduling, grade control and geotechnical analysis at operating mines. Of those, geological modelling, block modelling and resource estimation and open pit and underground mine design and scheduling are not what Whittle is typically brought in for.
What can Vulcan do that Whittle cannot?
Vulcan covers Geological modeling, Block modeling, Mine design, Resource estimation. Whittle covers Pit optimization, NPV maximization, Cutoff grade analysis, Pushback design. Both handle Surpac, 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
Whittle: Where can I find pricing for GEOVIA Whittle?

Whittle is an advanced strategic mine planning product. Pricing information is not available on the public product page and requires contacting Dassault Systèmes directly through their 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
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
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