New technologies and innovations in exploration have been examined by international experts attending the annual Xploration Technology Symposium in Vancouver, Canada.

The sell-out event, presented by leading global mining-tech company IMDEX, covered multi-element data, artificial intelligence for mineral exploration and exploration instrumentation along with a series of case studies.

The fifth annual symposium, held this year on Friday, January 17, hosted 16 speakers and 160 attendees. The focus was on improving and driving innovation in the mining industry and providing a platform to share big ideas, new technologies and new processes in exploration.

International consulting practice SRK had Principal Structural Geologist Wayne Barnett presenting on virtual-mixed reality, where he discussed augmented visual powers to automatically measure surface orientations and how this technology is changing best practices in data collection and analysis.

Professor Bern Klein of the University of British Columbia discussed industry research to optimise value and ensure worker safety in deep underground mass mining operations.

The use of machine learning for mineral exploration in greenfield areas was discussed by GoldSpot Discoveries Corp chief operating officer Vincent Dube-Bourgeois during the session on artificial intelligence.  

The exploration case studies included Rogue Geoscience president Chris Gallagher who has been instrumental in developing several exploration technologies and geological data management systems used in the industry today. 

Nick Payne, Global Product Manager Structural Geology at IMDEX, in his presentation A New Wave of Drilling Optimisation, discussed new technologies IMDEX Corevibe and IMDEX Xtracta – which offer substantial improvements in safety and productivity.

IMDEX has a suite of drilling optimisation products to improve the process of identifying and extracting mineral resources globally, allowing contractors and miners to drill faster and smarter and know their rocks in real-time.

The tech-based symposium was in the lead up to the annual AME Roundup, and with the high calibre of attendees provided an ideal opportunity to hear about the latest technologies, tools and innovative approaches to fast-track discovery.