Mining equipment provider Sandvik will acquire Deswik, a provider of mine planning software, to broaden its digital solutions offering.

Sandvik described Deswik as a "top-tier supplier of integrated software platforms" supporting digitalisation throughout mine planning stages.

Furthermore, Sandvik said it will enhance its software and digitalisation sector presence through Deswik's "high-quality customer base."

The acquisition will fill a value chain gap in Sandvik's Mining and Rock Solutions' offering by increasing upstream mining coverage and enabling opportunities for end-to-end optimisation solutions, including incorporating electrification at the mine planning stage.

The core software suite includes computer-aided 3D mine design, scheduling, operations planning, mining data management and geological mapping, Sandvik said.

Deswik also offers consultancy services, including mine planning, scoping, software implementation and training support.

Stefan Wilding, president and chief executive officer of Sandvik, said mine planning and operations management is a "key growth opportunity," and the acquisition will "strengthen" the company's digital offering.

Henrik Ager, president of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said: "Combining Deswik's skills in mine planning and scheduling with our equipment and automation expertise will open new opportunities for optimizing our customers' mining value chain."