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5 MIN. READ

Unlocking Saudi Arabia’s mineral wealth: Arabian Smart Mapping Company and Ma’aden set to redefine exploration standards

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  • Arabian Smart Mapping Company, the Saudi subsidiary of Xcalibur Smart Mapping, has been contracted to map 200,000 linear km of airborne geophysical data in collaboration with Ma’aden, a key player in the mining industry.
  • Electromagnetic technology triumph: TEMPEST and Helitem to revolutionize data acquisition in the region.
  • Enhanced logistic efficiency and a reduction on community impact due to the advanced fixed wing system.

Through its recently created Saudi subsidiary, Xcalibur Smart Mapping, the world’s leading geophysical exploration company, will contract with Ma’aden, one of the Middle East’s largest multi-commodity mining and metals companies, to complete its most significant private-sector project to date. Focused on leveraging Xcalibur’s cutting-edge TEMPTEST system, the project will involve mapping an impressive 120,000 linear kilometers using the fixed-wing system and an additional 80,000 linear kilometers with the helicopter-borne Helitem system, totaling over 200,000 linear kilometers.

This monumental agreement marks a historic achievement for Xcalibur Smart Mapping. representing its largest contract with a private client to date.  In addition, this is a groundbreaking endeavor in terms of scale and total kilometers covered. As the leading fixed wing airborne electromagnetic system, TEMPEST is purpose built for regional geological and groundwater mapping, and discrete mineral target mapping.

Dario Castellanos, CEO of Arabian Smart Mapping Company, emphasized the significance of this partnership for Xcalibur, stating: “Working with Ma’aden is a milestone for our company. We anticipate that having a fully operational subsidiary in Saudi Arabia will enable Xcalibur to extend this alliance to other projects within and beyond the Kingdom, with success resonating beyond its borders.

This deployment of the TEMPEST system will ensure the efficient and timely completion of the project, while reducing operational risks, minimizing impact on local communities and significantly lowering project costs.

There are significant advantages of opting for the fixed-wing Tempest system where terrain allows, over a helicopter system, including:

  • Logistical Efficiency: The use of a fixed-wing solution significantly enhances completion timeframes compared to relying solely on helicopter-borne solutions.
  • Reduced Community Impact: Fixed-wing systems considerably lessen the impact on local communities.
  • Additional Gravity Data Acquisition: TEMPEST fixed-wing technology enables the acquisition of the iCORUS-X scalar gravity system, providing a supplementary dataset that complements existing datasets.
  • Commercial Considerations: The utilization of the TEMPEST system substantially reduces the commercial cost of the survey without compromising technical benefits.

Ma’aden is the largest multi-commodity mining and metals company in the Middle East and among the fastest-growing mining companies in the world. It is developing the mining industry into the third pillar of the Saudi economy in line with Vision 2030 and aims to be a role model in responsible and sustainable operations. Ma’aden operates 17 mines and sites, has 6,000+ direct employees and exports products to over 30 countries. Ma’aden is embarking on massive growth over the next 18 years across phosphate, aluminum, gold, copper and new minerals.

 

As Xcalibur Smart Mapping continues to pioneer advancements in geophysical exploration, this collaboration underscores its commitment to reshaping the future of mining and resource discovery.

For media inquiries

Related to Xcalibur Smart Mapping please contact María Fernández, +34 666745049, maria.fernandez@xcaliburmp.com

 

About Xcalibur Smart Mapping

Xcalibur Smart Mapping is the global leader in the airborne and mapping geophysics industry, providing comprehensive and sustainable solutions for mapping and assessing natural capital, renewable and non-renewable resources with +100 years of accumulated experience.

With over 1,400 executed projects and an astonishing total of more than 50 million linear kilometers flown, we have become global leaders across six continents. Our worldwide presence is underpinned by a fleet of more than 40 specialized aircraft owned by the group, all equipped with state-of-the-art geophysical systems. Our workforce, consisting of over 250 highly qualified employees, serves as the driving force behind our continuous innovation and industry success.

Our mission is to apply technology and smart data to discover natural capital responsibly, help stakeholders create opportuni ties for growth and integration, and protect biodiversity. All this with the firm purpose of accelerating a just energy transition for a more sustainable economy, making us the partner of reference in natural capital mapping.

To learn more visit www.xcaliburmp.com

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5 MIN. READ

Raw Materials Summit 2024: Xcalibur Smart Mapping joins EIT RawMaterials

Raw Materials Summit 2024

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By becoming a partner of the EIT RawMaterials consortium, a crucial actor gathering all relevant stakeholders in the raw materials value chain, Xcalibur Smart Mapping reinforces its representation within this influential EU partner organization. 

As an Associate Partner, Xcalibur will proactively participate in the development and implementation of important policies and projects related critical raw materials (CRM), both in Europe and beyond. Xcalibur’s responsible and innovative mapping of critical raw materials serves as a central enabler of a sustainable global economy as well as a fair and balanced energy transition. This is particularly relevant in the context of the new CRM Act and the EU’s efforts to engage in sustainable strategic partnerships with CRM-rich countries worldwide.

Brussels, Belgium 15 May 2024Xcalibur Smart Mapping, the worldwide leader in airborne geophysics, has joined EIT RawMaterials, a key raw materials actor focused on advancing Europe’s transition into a sustainable economy.

This cooperation comes at a crucial time both for European industry and policymakers: With the EU’s groundbreaking new Critical Raw Materials Act entering into force later this month, the question about how to diversify Europe’s supply of critical raw materials, which Is crucial for a successful digital and green twin transition, is beginning to take center stage.

As a member of EIT RawMaterials, Xcalibur Smart Mapping will be ideally placed to ensure that its responsible, innovative, and data-driven mapping of critical raw materials plays a key part in bringing mining back to Europe in a responsible and sustainable way and enabling a truly fair and balanced energy transition.

Victor González, CEO Europe and North Africa at Xcalibur Smart Mapping, highlighted that “Xcalibur Smart Mapping and EIT RawMaterials working together makes perfect sense. We share the same objective to secure a sustainable raw materials supply for Europe by driving innovation, education, and entrepreneurship across European industrial ecosystems. We are looking very much forward to contributing our expertise and insights and making the implementation of the EU’s groundbreaking new Critical Raw Materials Act a success.”

Andrés Blanco, CEO of Xcalibur Smart Mapping, added that “just as EIT RawMaterials we at Xcalibur are as well deeply committed to supporting a just transition towards a sustainable, clean and just economy whilst strengthening Europe’s global competitiveness and securing employment.”

Bernd Schafer, CEO and Managing Director, EIT RawMaterials added, “We are delighted to welcome Xcalibur as a partner of the largest and most dynamic knowledge and innovation network in the raw materials sector. As we look ahead to turning the Critical Raw Materials Act into action, innovative organisations like Xcalibur with their pioneering smart mapping technologies are essential to developing Europe’s raw material potential into a strategic strength.”

For media inquiries

Related to Xcalibur Smart Mapping please contact María Fernández, +34 666745049, maria.fernandez@xcaliburmp.com

 

For media inquiries related to EIT RawMaterials, please contact Elisabeth Ippel, Communications Manager, elisabeth.ippel@eitrawmaterials.eu

For updates on the Raw Materials Summit, follow us on LinkedIn and watch the live stream on 16 May at

9.15 – 10 AM; 4.45 PM – 5.30 PM at http://www.eitrmsummit.com

About Xcalibur Smart Mapping

Xcalibur Smart Mapping is the global leader in the airborne and mapping geophysics industry, providing comprehensive and sustainable solutions for mapping and assessing natural capital, renewable and non-renewable resources with +100 years of accumulated experience.

With over 1,400 executed projects and an astonishing total of more than 50 million linear kilometers flown, we have become global leaders across six continents. Our worldwide presence is underpinned by a fleet of more than 40 specialized aircraft owned by the group, all equipped with state-of-the-art geophysical systems. Our workforce, consisting of over 250 highly qualified employees, serves as the driving force behind our continuous innovation and industry success.

Our mission is to apply technology and smart data to discover natural capital responsibly, help stakeholders create opportuni ties for growth and integration, and protect biodiversity. All this with the firm purpose of accelerating a just energy transition for a more sustainable economy, making us the partner of reference in natural capital mapping.

To learn more visit www.xcaliburmp.com

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3 MIN. READ

Xcalibur Multiphysics participation at AEGC 2023

Xcalibur Multiphysics participation at AEGC 2023

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Xcalibur Multiphysics was present as Gold Sponsors in the Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference (AEGC) from 13-18 March in Brisbane

The AEGC is the premier global technical conference for exploration geophysics over a wide breadth of applications in all sectors. It is well attended by company geophysicists, consultant geophysicists and groups, and government geophysicists from Australia and globally.

The event took place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre where we had an exhibition stand and a large team of delegates from our Xcalibur Asia-Pacific, America, Africa-Middle East and Europe teams who were present throughout the show.

We have been able to present seven papers during the conference covering a wide range of technologies and application. All presentations were very well received, with several panels being present each day including: FALCON vs FTG by Chris van Galder, Country Scale Airborne Geophysics Angola by John Bell, RESOLVE AEM for tailings facilities in Brazil by Darren Burrows, Broadband TEMPEST Upgrades by Eric Steele, HELIFALCON and HELITEM for Geothermal by Craig Annison and Nickel exploration with low frequency HELITEM and Uranium exploration using FALCON AGG, both presented by Darren Burrows.

In addition, our colleague Darren Burrows, was awarded during the awards ceremony with the prize for the Best Oral Presentation:

• Craig Annison presenting HELIFALCON and HELITEM for Geothermal
• Darren Burrows receiving the Best Oral Presentation prize

Our Xcalibur Client Welcome Party was held the evening prior to the conference, with 100 invited guests, where we were able to share and discuss the latest developments in geophysics and our ongoing airborne surveys.

Xcalibur Client Welcome Party, it has been a great conference where we have been able to monitor, share and discuss the latest geophysical developments.

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3 MIN. READ

Xcalibur Multiphysics participation at PDAC 2023

Xcalibur Multiphysics participation at PDAC 2023

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Xcalibur Multiphysics was present, once again at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2023, held during the 5th and 8th of March in Toronto, Canada

For Xcalibur, this conference is a great gateway that connects us with the world of mineral exploration at an international level and helps us to build links with other companies and governments. A large representation of our global team has been present at our stand during all days of the event, welcoming all the attendees who have come to greet us and network.

On Monday 6th the party for clients and friends of Xcalibur Multiphysics took place, where many friends and clients from the sector were able to attend and chat with us.

Xcalibur Multiphysics client’s party

We had the opportunity to be guest speakers at the Kazakhstan day, where our CEO, Andres Blanco presented an overview of Kazakhstan’s opportunities in exploration services and how Xcalibur Multiphysics and our airborne geophysics services can help find them. In addition, Darren Burrows, Business Development director, gave a talk on our Falcon AGG system and its benefits for critical mineral exploration.

Kazakhstan Day in PDAC

In addition, we were invited to the Nigeria Day, where our Director of Xcalibur MPH Spain, Victor Gonzalez, presented to the Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, a brief explanation of the system we are currently flying in Nigeria for airborne survey.

Victor Gonzalez, Xcalibur MPH Director at Nigerian’s Day
We would like to thank everyone who visited our stand during the days of the event to learn more about Xcalibur Multiphysics and our airborne surveys, especially Mr. Jambal Ganbaatar, Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry of Mongolia for his presence.

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3 MIN. READ

Xcalibur Multiphysics participation at Africa Mining Indaba 2023

Xcalibur Multiphysics participation at Africa Mining Indaba 2023

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Xcalibur Multiphysics, was present, once again, at the Africa Mining Indaba, held during the 6th and 9th of February 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa

Africa Mining Indaba is a significant event on the continent as it is an excellent opportunity for the meeting companies involved in the African mining sector.

Xcalibur Multiphysics attended once again, to establish new and strengthen existing relationships on the continent with the aim of developing new projects.

With active projects in Nigeria and Uganda, among others, we believe that responsible mapping of natural resources is critical for a more sustainable global economy, therefore the services we provide empower governments to be a part of the clean energy revolution and accelerate their sustainable economic growth to build an inclusive economy.

In partnership with Invest Africa, as part of their 10th Annual Mining Series, our Director from Xcalibur MPH Spain, Victor González, took part in the panel Safeguarding the Future: Critical Minerals and Rare-Earth Elements, where he discussed Africa’s role in critical minerals supply chains, as well as deep sea mining and other unconventional sources of critical raw materials.

Mr. Paul Kabuswe, Zambian Minister Furthermore, on Tuesday the 7th Xcalibur Multiphysics signed a partnership agreement with Africa Finance Corporation, to provide large scale geophysical mapping and co-financing of natural capital projects that will spur minerals and critical raw materials beneficiation in Africa.

This partnership will prioritise projects that locate and identify minerals of interest, resulting in African countries gaining access to better geological data and ultimately to support them in their just energy transition.

AFC Partnership with Xcalibur Multiphysics At the end of the day, we hosted casual drinks at the Xcalibur Multiphysics stand, where many of our customers, new and existing, were able to come and chat with us.

Xcalibur Multiphysics get-together. In addition to being able to engage in conversations with great references from the industry, Xcalibur was able to share its vision and ideas with Mr. Felix Tshiseked, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mr. Paul Kabuswe, Minister of Mines & Minerals Development, Republic of Zambia, representatives of MinDiver Nigeria and the Government of Uganda, we are very grateful for your visit to our stand.

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