The new drone-based system of sensors will combine magnetics and gravimetry to accelerate the location and analysis of underground mineral deposits, reducing the time and capital required for locating and analysing deposits in the field, while also improving 3D geological readouts.
“It is of paramount importance for SBQuantum to both develop international partnerships as well as diversify our sensing stack to improve hit rates for mineral drilling” said David Roy-Guay, CEO and Co-Founder of SBQuantum. “This project with Silicon Microgravity accomplishes both. We would like to thank IRAP for providing part of the funding to deploy quantum magnetometers in the field, on airborne platforms, and we’re eagerly looking forward to deploying this hardware in the field.”
The dual sensor systems can be deployed via drone over mining claims of all sizes to detect underground deposits from the sky. These include strategic minerals such as cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, platinum, rare earths and others.
Whereas conventional magnetic field maps provide limited data regarding 3D depth information, this new, combined approach overcomes this issue, allowing users to see the geology in 3D after a single survey and with at least 30 percent greater resolution than the current industry standard. In turn, this may reduce the need to move heavy equipment and personnel around remote areas, fast-track drilling operations and provide a higher hit rate, all of which drives down costs.
The project, which will take 18 months to complete, also represents the first deployment of a diamond-based quantum magnetometer on a drone. Both partners are currently optimising the positioning of their sensors on the drone for maximum efficiency.
Once the equipment is ready, testing will begin in a remote area of Canada. This project is one of several Canada-UK partnerships, for which the UK government has invested over £4 million, along with Canada’s $5.1 million (CAD) to strengthen collaborative research and development, as well as develop quantum technologies ready for real-world commercial use.
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