MINERAL EXPLORATION
�������������������������
With permitting timelines continuing to be measured in years , not months , the need for faster , more precise exploration increases , Dan Gleeson reports
Orica , like many companies invested in the exploration sector , has been looking to accelerate the decision-making process at exploration sites , with one of Orica Digital Solutions ’ more recent launches looking to connect measurements made by drillers with the geologists who need them .
AXIS Connect™ is an open , secure and integrated platform that makes the most of improved and increased connectivity across the exploration sector , according to Darren Palmer , Senior Product Manager , Orebody Intelligence , at Orica Digital Solutions .
He told IM : “ It ' s now uncommon for a site to lack internet access , whether directly at the drill or within a short drive . We are also seeing this movement or adoption making its way underground , with an increasing number of sites installing Wi-Fi or LTE systems in their mines .”
This enhanced connectivity is , he says , a game-changer , enabling drillers and geologists to collaborate on complex projects like never before . The result is improved outcomes and reduced costs .
AXIS Connect acts as a trusted source for directional survey data , fostering confidence between drillers and geologists by delivering reliable data precisely when needed , according to Palmer .
“ The platform receives and processes surveys immediately upon completion , delivering realtime insights to customers on drill hole progress versus plans , enabling faster decision making , reduced costs per meter drilled and drilled holes that hit target ,” he says . “ Essentially , the software simplifies drilling operations , minimising disruptions while ensuring accurate and efficient in-field data collection .”
Palmer says Orica Digital Solutions customers have greatly appreciated the ease of setup , with the intuitive workflow , immediate visual interpretation and integrations with third-party drilling optimisation products being among the key highlights . Some of the planned AXIS Connect integrations include CorePlan , Maxgeo , BlackFox , Krux and Lantern . “ Additionally , general API availability supports automated data transfer and custom reporting ,” Palmer added .
He says customers have averaged less than five minutes from when a survey was received by AXIS Connect to when it was approved and sent onward for geological modelling and analysis . This streamlined workflow accelerates decision making on directional holes , detecting when a hole is going off track sooner , and minimising the time and money spent managing surveys from drills , Palmer added .
The integration of AXIS Connect with Orica Digital Solutions software allows geologists to organise drilling campaigns that involve multiple companies , assigning holes to various companies and rigs without exiting the campaign , the company says .
AXIS Connect is part of a wider Orica Digital Solutions remit to improve critical intelligence at the start of the value chain .
Orica Digital Solutions Axis product range offers a comprehensive suite of tools and instruments to meet customers ’ geospatial requirements , the company says
Determining whether rock is hard , medium , or soft , understanding how the rock changes , or identifying where the most valuable ore is located , for instance , optimises customer operations and reduces downstream risks .
He concluded : “ Open , secure and connected digital workflows will continue to play a significant role to accelerate decision making , improve understanding of resources and enable customers to speed up development and mining new landscape .”
�����������������
Go west on the A12 Highway from the capital of Botswana , Gaborone , and after an hour you will reach Semarule , a 250 sq . km rare earth element ( REE ) project owned by Eastport Ventures . The project encompasses the Semarule Intrusive Complex , which is characterised through prominent exposed ridges in the north and shallow sand-covered intrusions to the south .
To unlock its potential , Eastport is employing a range of geologic technologies and leveraging historical data to drive exploration forward .
Airborne and ground magnetic and radiometric surveys are being used to outline the distribution of REE-bearing minerals , like monazite , within the host lithology . These surveys act as geophysical tools to refine exploration targets
32 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2025