Adrok Ltd, developer of a pioneering deep subsurface scanner which identifies energy resources and minerals without the need for exploratory drilling, is expanding its operations by opening a new facility on Prince Edward Island (PEI) in Canada. Adrok’s Atomic Dielectric Resonance (ADR) Scanner uses radio waves and microwaves to locate, identify and map subsurface natural resources including oil and gas, metallic ore deposits and industrial minerals. Unlike other 3D seismic technologies, ADR uses spectroscopy to measure the wavelengths and identify minerals and rock types in the subsurface.
Adrok will provide a base to service existing clients in the region as well as developing business within Canada’s mineral exploration industry. Adrok chose its base on Prince Edward Island after the company was awarded a sizeable incentive package from the Provincial Government’s PEI Innovation Scheme.
The new base will create six jobs for geophysics and field technicians who will gather and analyse data on site before sending it back to its Edinburgh headquarters for further analysis. There will also be a sales and marketing function in order to build the company’s client base in the region.
Adrok has been working in Canada since 2011 after receiving a £3 million investment from key client Teck Resources, a diversified resource company.
Gordon Stove, Managing Director of Adrok, said: “Canada is fast becoming the top destination for mineral exploration and it makes sense for us to expand our operations given our continued work with Teck Resources. The incentive package from PEI is a major boost for us and we are looking forward to growing the company in the region.
One of the biggest challenges for the Canadian industry is sustainability and the environment, therefore, we are keen to build on our recent successes with clients and demonstrate how ADR technology is the future for energy resource and mineral exploration.”
Choosing Prince Edward Island as its North American market hub has been welcomed by PEI’s Head of Innovation and Advance Learning Minister, Allen Roach. He comments; “Adrok is attracting significant global attention from the mining and energy industries because it offers a scanner that locates underground resources without the need for exploratory drilling. We think there’s a tremendous scope for exploration across the North American continent from its base here and I look forward to seeing the jobs and opportunities that materialise as Adrok consolidates its business here.
“The expansion into Canada opens up a whole new market place for Adrok’s technology and is a very exciting proposition for both the company and the province of Prince Edward Island.”
Adrok conducted its first commercial exploration in 2007 in Morocco and has since used its patented technology to assist energy and mineral exploration in the North Sea, Europe Australia and Asia.
Adrok was founded by Dr Colin Stove, the inventor of the technology, and his son Gordon in 1997. Since then, in addition to government funding, Adrok has invested over £3 million to advance and commercialise the technology. Adrok launched its first commercial services offering, called “Predrilling Virtual Logging”, in the summer of 2007.
