Page 70 - pd306-July22-mag-web_Neat

innovation is a hot topic across all facets of
mineral exploration as companies seek to
streamline processes and enhance efficiencies,

but practical solutions are few and far between.
enter Australian-swedish technology company
orexplore Technologies, who believes they have
a solution effective across the entire spectrum.

While most exploration innovations are focused on the chemical assay proprietary software platform, Insight®, produces a 3D visualisation of the drill
component of the exploration process, Orexplore’s GeoCore X10® digital core core’s interior, allowing geology teams to look around and through the sample
analysis technology is being adapted to provide solutions to explorers, develop- almost immediately.
ers and miners. Suitable throughout the discovery cycle, from decision support Extracted data can be accessed in minutes and easily shared through the
to project techno-economics, orebody characterisation, sorting, and sample Orexplore Insight® software platform while also allowing the export of lithology,
optimisation, the GeoCore X10® solution is fast, sustainable and perhaps the RQD and elemental data, planar and linear geological structures and density to
biggest drawcard, mobile. preferred geo-modelling software.
A rock mass scanning technology using XRF and CT scanning technology to “Users are transporting information, not core,” Giroud says.
extract structure, density, chemical and mineralogy data, the GeoCore X10®
provides a digital “through the rock” image of drill core samples, with results With units deployed in-field, including a recently delivered commercial project for
available on site and within 15 minutes of extraction, opening a world of pos- Wiluna Mining Corporation Ltd on its namesake gold operation in Western Austral-
sibilities for geology teams. ia, Orexplore’s custom-made sea containers take mobile scanning and portability
to the next level. In a matter of days, clients can have an on-site scanning lab, with
“Our technology fits perfectly with the increasing demand from industry for the self-sufficient containers able to be deployed anywhere, globally.
fast, in-field information from drilling that’s fit-for-purpose and highly targeted
towards improving the speed and quality of exploration decision-making,” “The deployment at Wiluna in conjunction with their exploration drilling further
Orexplore managing director Brett Giroud explains. supports Orexplore’s strategy and vision, and we are enjoying delivering new value
with innovative companies such as Wiluna who seek to transform the exploration
While it has ambitions to cover the entire exploration process, Orexplore’s primary space through technology adoption,” Giroud said in announcing the partnership.
focus at present is providing information at the beginning of the drilling process.
Under the agreement, Orexplore placed a containerised unit housing multiple
“There is a huge time component in almost every step of the exploration process, GeoCore X10® units and the associated Orexplore Insight analysis software, with
and not all of them are assay related,” Giroud says. “In some instances, you need an accompanying scanning technician to operate the unit and integrate it into the
the complete JORC-compliant assay, but there is other data which, if delivered mine’s workflows.
quickly, can significantly affect decision-making
timelines. Seeing the application of the technology in the
field really illustrates the value potential and news
“Allowing geologists to immediately access data on travels fast in this industry.
orebody characteristics such as structure, altera-
tion, density, and mineralogy means they can make Orexplore will operate the units on a lease basis, a
informed decisions while the drill rigs are still in the model ideally suited to the campaign-based systems
field. The GeoCoreX10® provides data that can be of explorers.
instantly accessed by exploration teams anywhere “The fridges can support some field based decision
in the world, bypassing the need for timely uploading processes that have historically only relied on long-lead
and logging. assay processes. If there is information on structure,
“Not only are you receiving data immediately, but the lithology and alteration available straight away this can
GeoCore X10® also gives users a 3D representa- speed up workflows.”
tion through the core, allowing geologists to examine While 3D imaging of the drill core is the immediate
internal structures and texture in depth. priority, Orexplore also has its eyes on other aspects of
“It has the potential to be transformational for the exploration sector.” the exploration process.
The concept behind the GeoCoreX10®’s functionality has been in development Giroud’s background in delivering disruptive technology projects for Tier-1 miners
since the 1980s when geotechnical engineer Anders Ullberg –who was developing gives him and Orexplore an intimate knowledge of the global megatrends to which
new methods for scanning minerals in rock – met professor of radiology Ragnar the industry needs a solution.
Kullenberg – who was researching the use of X-ray fluorescence to measure bone “We are mapping our market entry strategy to address the industry pain points.
minerals in the human body. Our technology is capable of so much more; we’re just getting started,” Giroud
After significant focus and development in the world-renowned Swedish innova- says. “From exploration decision support, operational assay efficiency optimisa-
tion sector, Kent Swick of powerhouse drilling company Swick Mining Services tion and ore sorting, through to potential grade control applications, we are well-
backed the developers and brought the technology to Australia for further develop- positioned to create added benefits to our customers.”
ment. To achieve those aims, Orexplore is continuing to advance the GeoCore X10®’s
The result? The GeoCore X10® – affectionately known as a “fridge” by the team capabilities with a focus on everything from project studies to grade control, ore
at Orexplore. A portable, easily deployed scanning unit, ready for use as the core is sorting and crushing and recoveries.
brought to the surface. Capable of scanning and analysing up to four 1-metre core “We will continue advancing the units with new sensing technology all the time,”
samples per hour, at the touch of a single push-button, the GeoCore X10® brings Giroud says. “And, over time, we will use the information we receive from industry
form and functionality – offering digital geology at the users’ fingertips. and start producing ‘self-driving’ units which will allow the geologists more time
Offering a combination of CT and XRF scanners to test for detected elements, for high-level thinking.”
emerging mineralogy, geological structure, texture, and density, Orexplore’s