Dassault is a major player in 3D design, 3D digital mock-up and product lifecycle management solutions.

It aims to provide businesses and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations.

Adding its 3D know-how to Gemcom’s mining software is one of the key attractions of the deal.

Dassault Systemes president and chief executive officer Bernard Charles said the company had created the brand Geovia to house Gemcom.

“With the acquisition of Gemcom, coupled with our 3D experience platform capabilities, our objective is to model and simulate our planet, improving predictability, efficiency, safety and sustainability within the natural resources industry and beyond,” Charles said.

The mining industry is the main user of Gemcom software.

Gemcom president and CEO Rick Moignard said the acquisition would benefit Gemcom customers.

“Advanced technologies in 3D modelling and simulation will not only enable engineers and geologists to model and visualise resources but also improve sustainable mine productivity,” he said.

“We believe with Dassault Systemes support we will be able to address global issues for our customers as a real partner.”

Moignard will become the CEO of the Geovia brand after the completion of the Gemcom acquisition.

Gemcom’s 360 employees and management will remain in place after the acquisition.

It has been a long and windy road for the 27-year-old mining software player.

The Canadian company started out as an owner-managed software maker before merging with Australia-based Surpac.

It led to a brief period as a small capital public company before it was again taken private.

The company released an update to its Surpac software last week.