EXPLORATION TRENDS & DEVELOPMENTS n EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY
n NRG’s Xact magnetics-radiometrics system mounted on a Pilatus PC6. CREDIT: NEW RESOLUTION GEOPHYSICS
EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY IN 2022: BUSY, BUT NOT TOO BUSY T
hroughout 2022, Covid-19 restrictions eased in most parts of the world. While some countries and companies still require protocols as part of operations, they have become a manageable part of our new normal. This has resulted in reports of increased activity from almost every airborne and ground company in almost every region on the planet. This increase has required the addition of new staff and equipment. All signs point to the fact that the default answer to the tradeshow floor questions “How’s business? Are you busy?” might be true again. However, it also appears that in conjunction with being busy collecting, processing and interpreting data, most companies have also managed to improve upon existing technology and in some cases make some new developments. Over the years, themes emerge and recede within our industry. These are often driven by technical requirements for discovery. However, they can sometimes be influenced
4 EXPLORATION TRENDS & DEVELOPMENTS | MARCH 2023
by the public. A good example of this is the growing concern about the ongoing climate crisis and the concept of the energy transition and decarbonization. The reality is that the public is becoming aware of the demand for critical minerals and battery metals. And while they might not understand mining and exploration’s role in the green transition, the effect can be seen in activity reports from both ground and airborne companies who reported completing surveys targeting critical minerals, battery metals, and geothermal energy. These were in addition to the usual targets of base metals, gold, uranium, iron ore, and diamonds. There were also reports of airborne geophysics being used for regional geological mapping, methane mapping, geoid improvements, and carbon storage and capture. Another theme that appeared throughout the year was developments aimed at seeing deeper. This is by no means a new trend, and as such most developments could be seen as