Gold Fields has selected Fleet Space Technologies’ ExoSphere to enhance its exploration efforts at the Salares Norte project in northern Chile.
The advanced mineral exploration solution will provide detailed 3D subsurface imaging of the Brecha Principal and Agua Amarga resource areas, potentially unveiling new insights into the mineral system.
Situated on the Maricunga Belt in the Andes Mountains, the Salares Norte project is a challenging environment for mining operations due to its remote location and extreme weather conditions.
At an altitude of 3,900–4,700m above sea level, the project requires innovative approaches to exploration.
The deployment of ExoSphere technology is a continuation of Gold Fields’ strategy to utilise advanced solutions to overcome these challenges, following the first gold pour in March 2024.
Fleet Space CEO Flavia Tata Nardini said: “In the field of mineral exploration, ExoSphere has delivered the world’s largest real-time ANT [Ambient Noise Tomography] survey in Australia’s Macquarie Arc and now the world’s highest real-time ANT survey on Chile’s Maricunga Belt – radically scaling the mining industry’s capacity to enhance mineral systems knowledge of remote opportunity zones across vast distances and at unprecedented altitudes, while minimising environmental impact.
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“We look forward to partnering with the dynamic Chilean mining industry to unlock next-level insights and sustainability benefits across their exploration value chain.”
The adoption of ExoSphere at Salares Norte follows positive results from its use at Gold Fields’ St. Ives operation in Australia.
The technology’s near-zero surface impact and the effectiveness of its smart seismic sensors, known as Geodes, make it an environmentally friendly choice for rapid 3D subsurface imaging.
Nardini said: “Fleet Space and Gold Fields share a vision of applying the powerful capabilities enabled by advanced satellite connectivity, 3D multiphysics and AI to unify the end-to-end exploration journey and deliver more sustainable outcomes at scale on the path to discovery.
“We are proud to deploy ExoSphere to further Gold Fields’ data-driven exploration and ESG [environmental, social and governance] targets, reinforcing their position on the forefront of innovation and supporting the development of their world-class operation in Chile.”
