core logging Archives - International Mining

Major Drilling Group International Inc has announced a new partnership with downhole technology company DGI Geoscience Inc (DGI) and its affiliate company, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered core logging tech innovator, KORE GeoSystems Inc, that, it says, positions Major Drilling at the forefront of AI advancements in the drilling industry.

The combination of Major Drilling’s fleet, skilled drilling teams and its TrailBlazer Rock5 technology, with KORE’s digital rock analysis platform, provides the opportunity to deliver valuable data to customers, Major Drilling says. This is complemented by the borehole data acquisition services offered by DGI to provide a unique service offering in the industry today, it added.

Denis Larocque, President and CEO of Major Drilling, said: “This alliance is a continuation of Major Drilling’s progression in drilling innovation, and also part of our growth strategy as we invest in the future of mining.”

Marc Landry, newly appointed Chief Technology Officer, added: “As our traditional drilling services evolve, the full complement of DGI/KORE products and services alongside Major Drilling’s developing technologies will see our service offering transform and help our customers during this mining upcycle. For example, KORE uses AI to automate processing of core logging, greatly reducing time and improving consistency, enabling our customers to get real-time, remote access to results across the globe.”

Under the agreement, Major Drilling will acquire an approximate 40% interest in DGI/KORE for a C$15 million ($10.8 million) cash consideration. As part of this investment, Canadian Shield Capital, a Toronto-based growth equity firm, is selling its interest in DGI/KORE.

The value of this transaction for Major Drilling resides in adding geological solutions to its specialised drilling, providing a unique service offering that encompasses the latest advanced technology, it says. This investment supports the company’s efforts to position itself as the contractor of choice to the drilling industry by providing solutions to help accelerate customers’ projects with timely and quality data contributing to their geological model.

Vince Gerrie, President and CEO of KORE, said: “We are thrilled to support Major Drilling with KORE’s cutting-edge SPECTOR integrated technology suite. Our transformative AI powered digital core logging platform significantly increases productivity, consistency and enhances data insights for our customers.”

Chris Drielsma, President and CEO of DGI, said: “Through our powerful new partnership with Major Drilling, the mining sector can access turnkey geological, geophysical and geotechnical drillside orebody intelligence solutions. We are very excited to be part of this evolution of drill performance, helping maximise the value from drilling through our geoscience solutions.”

LKAB has become the first iron ore miner in the world to implement the continuous XRF scanner Minalyzer CS, starting the process of automating and digitalising its drill core logging workflow.

By collecting data in an automated system, LKAB is aiming to improve the consistency and efficiency of its core logging process, Minalyze said.

LKAB and Minalyze initiated the collaboration in March 2020 when the first scanner was installed at the Kiruna iron ore mine for a test. It was then expanded to Malmberget where data from the Minalyzer CS was used to help geological logging of the drill core. The focus for the tests was to assess the datasets: geochemistry, high resolution images, RQD and specific gravity generated by the scanner and to determine how these datasets can assist in the core logging process.

Following these developments, the two companies plus Sentian, in May 2021, said an artificial intelligence application developed by the trio would be trialled to make drill core analysis faster, with the time to evaluate a drill core reduced from weeks to minutes, with increased accuracy.

LKAB Senior Vice President Exploration, Strategy and Business Development, Pierre Heeroma, said: “The tests with the Minalyzer in Kiruna and the more complex Malmberget geology confirmed that this Swedish technology is disrupting the core logging process – now we have fast access to rich data as guidance when classifying the rocks. Our core logging is now consistent and efficient.”

Annelie Lundström, CEO Minalyze AB, said: “The rest of the iron ore industry should closely follow the transformation LKAB is undergoing. With the Minalyzer they have one of the more automated and digitalised core logging workflows in the world. And they are setting a new world standard for sustainable mining with the fossil-free iron ore and steel making.

“We are very proud to be part of LKAB’s transition into the future.”

Major Drilling eyes unique AI-powered offering with DGI/KORE partnership

LKAB starts core logging automation, digitalisation process with Minalyzer CS