The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Talon to pilot Fleet’s satellite-enabled mineral discovery system Metal Tech News - September 26, 2022
Fleet Space Technologies' ExoSphere system utilizes satellites to speed up the gathering and processing of data from geophysical surveys used to explore mineral deposits.
Fleet Space's Geodes wirelessly connect to one another and the satellites overhead to transmit the subsurface geophysical data collected anywhere on Earth in real-time.
To speed the discovery of nickel needed in enormous quantities for the lithium-ion batteries powering the electric vehicle revolution, Talon Metals Corp. is piloting Fleet Space Technologies' ExoSphere satellite-enabled geophysics system.
Fleet's ExoSphere system utilizes a combination of lightweight earthbound geophones, edge computing, and a constellation of low-earth-orbit nanosatellites to quickly and efficiently scan the Earth for potential mineral deposits buried beneath the surface.
Considering that the International Monetary Fund estimates that it will require $13 trillion worth of minerals and metals over the next two decades to build the clean energy future, there is an urgent need for new technologies to hasten the deposit discovery process.
"With Fleet's ExoSphere technology, we are able to easily scan the earth in 3D, faster and with less environmental impact than ever before possible," said Matt Pearson, chief exploration officer and co-founder of Fleet Space Technologies. "This cleaner, faster, and more flexible approach to exploration answers the urgent global need to find the minerals and metals required in the energy transition."
Talon, which is advancing the exploration and development of low-carbon nickel deposits for Tesla Inc. and other EV battery manufacturers, is a perfect fit for ExoSphere.
"We are excited to work with Fleet to pilot their impressive advanced seismic tomography approach to mineral discovery and pair it with our in-house exploration teams' unique approach to finding more high-grade nickel in the United States," said Talon Metals CEO Henri von Rooyen.
Introduced by Australia-based Fleet Space earlier this year, ExoSphere uses ambient noise tomography (ANT) to map Earth's subsurface. In essence, this is a space age modernization of airborne and ground-based geophysical surveys that geologists have been using for decades to locate potential orebodies hidden beneath Earth's surface.
Instead of stringing out miles of geophones all connected by cables for communication, or flying an aircraft in a grid overhead, Exosphere uses its constellation of satellites.
As Fleet Space satellites circle above, earthbound crews lay out a grid of Geodes – hand-transportable seismic sensors equipped with a satellite transmitter and sophisticated processing unit.
Unlike the geophones of old, which typically required cutting a line to precisely place each geophone in a grid pattern and string the wires that tie them all together, Fleet Space's Geodes wirelessly connect to one another and the satellites overhead. In addition to eliminating the need for wired connections, the location of the Geodes is calculated once the sensor is placed, which means less surveying and surface disturbance.
Once sufficient data is gathered, the wireless and battery-powered Geodes use edge processing to significantly reduce the volume of data that must be transmitted.
Once this initial processing is complete, the streamlined data is securely transmitted to Fleet's low-Earth-orbit satellite network, which relays the information to ground stations.
As a result, the processing of data from each Geode can begin almost immediately. Compared to traditional geophysics systems that require the geophones to be collected, shipped, and unpacked before data processing can begin.
With ExoSphere, a full 3D visualization of the subsurface to depths of 1.2 miles (two kilometers) is accessible to view and export anywhere on Earth in real-time.
For mineral exploration companies, this means that intriguing targets can be tested much quicker, and interesting anomalies identified on the edges of a surveyed area can be followed up on while the equipment and crews are still at the site.
"ExoSphere is supporting the world's transition to more sustainable practices by speeding up vital mineral discoveries more than one hundred-fold," said Pearson.
Further information on Fleet Space and ExoSphere can be read at Space-borne mineral exploration is here in the August 12, 2022 edition of Metal Tech News.
Given the massive demand for cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, rare earths, and other metals critical to building EVs and the low-carbon energy sources to charge them, the streamlined discovery process offered by ExoSphere could provide an edge to companies exploring for them.
Talon, which is seeking high-grade nickel deposits in the U.S., is eager to give this space age technology a try.
"Fleet's technology has the potential to deliver two tantalizing results for geologists like our team of proven "nickel hunters" – speed and accuracy," said von Rooyen.
The Talon team has already discovered a high-grade nickel-copper deposit in Minnesota that has drawn the interest of Tesla, which has committed to purchasing 165 million pounds of nickel once a mine is developed.
A joint venture between Talon (51%) and Rio Tinto (49%) is investigating the potential of storing carbon dioxide in the rocks at the future Tamarack Mine, a climate-saving advantage that is one of the attractions for Tesla.
"The Talon team has taken an innovative approach to the discovery, development and production of battery materials, including to permanently store carbon as part of mine operations and the investigation of the novel extraction of battery materials," said Drew Baglino, senior vice president of powertrain and energy engineering at Tesla. "Responsible sourcing of battery materials has long been a focus for Tesla, and this project has the promise to accelerate the production of sustainable energy products in North America."
Now, with the speed and accuracy offered by ExoSphere, Talon hopes to find other deposits that can provide automakers with the responsibly sourced battery materials for the rapid transition to e-mobility now underway.
"Increased accuracy means less disturbance of the earth as compared to conventional exploration practices. Speed means a faster path to discovering the metallic minerals like nickel that society needs for the energy transition," von Rooyen added.
Further details on the carbon capturing potential of Tamarack can be read at DOE funds carbon antimining at Tamarack in the February 16, 2022 edition of Metal Tech News.
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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