Hexagon AB, global provider of design, measurement and visualisation technologies, has entered into an agreement to acquire Mintec Inc., a resource modelling, optimisation, mine planning, and scheduling software developer for the mining industry.

Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, USA, Mintec has, with its 232 employees, grown into a global network of mining professionals providing technology, service, and support in some of the most complex mining operations around the world. MineSight, the company’s modelling and mine planning brand since 1970, is, according to Hexagon, well-known and respected in the industry.

Mining is becoming a more precise practice, and accurate mine planning and scheduling is at the forefront of this change. Hexagon has been active primarily in the operations domain, but the integration of the planning, scheduling, and daily production capabilities of Mintec will enable Hexagon to close the loop and control data flow from design and mine planning through extraction and back into life- of-mine planning.

“The acquisition of planning and scheduling software strengthens our mining solution strategy, providing a platform for comprehensive life-of-mine solutions,” said Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rollén. “The combination of proven technologies from Leica Geosystems, Devex, SAFEmine and now Mintec, in connection with our geospatial product suite and computer-aided dispatch solutions from Intergraph, we have the tools and technologies to leap ahead of the competition, giving Hexagon a unique position in the market.”

The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions. Closing is expected to be effected no later than June 2014.