The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News - July 21, 2025
Left to right: DGI Geoscience President Chris Drielsma, Major Drilling CTO Marc Landry, and KORE GeoSystems CEO Vince Gerrie.
Major Drilling's drill-side imaging unit at G Mining Ventures Corp.'s Tocantinzinho gold project in Brazil.
One year after forming a strategic alliance, Major Drilling, KORE GeoSystems, and DGI Geoscience have launched a real-time drill core imaging and logging solution that integrates advanced AI and Starlink-enabled connectivity to streamline geological decision-making at the drill site.
"High-resolution core images are remotely accessible from anywhere in the world within seconds of being captured at the drill rig," said KORE GeoSystems CEO Vince Gerrie.
AI tools automatically structure, depth-reference, and segment the images to provide quick logs instantly. In addition to orebody information vital to mineral exploration, the core imaging tech can provide rock quality designation (RQD) data from the drill rig, which will assist in future mine design.
Capturing RQD data before the core is moved provides the most accurate picture of the rock quality, and the implementation of AI software delivers consistent, repeatable, auditable results.
Major and KORE incorporated DGI Geoscience's high-resolution geoscientific logging and interpretation expertise into an integrated drill-imaging prototype.
Major Drilling's drill-side imaging unit at G Mining Ventures Corp.'s Tocantinzinho gold project in Brazil.
"Our shared vision was to transform drilling into a real-time source of geological intelligence – layering downhole measurements onto drill results to give clients immediate, actionable insight," said DGI Geoscience President Chris Drielsma.
This end-to-end solution, developed collaboratively by the three partners, was field-tested at G Mining Ventures Corp.'s Tocantinzinho gold project in Brazil, where it delivered actionable data directly from the drill rig.
"It's exciting to finally see meaningful innovation coming from a drilling company with Major Drilling leading the way," said Julie-Anaïs Debreil, vice president of geology and resources at G Mining Ventures. "Their unique integration of drilling and imaging services, along with KORE's logging automation, is putting real-time core photos in our hands and allowing us to run a more responsive and efficient drill program at the Tocantinzinho gold project."
The real-time core photos transmitted directly from the drill rig are accessible anywhere in the world, allowing the G Mining team to decide whether to end a hole or continue drilling based on the rock encountered in comparison to their geological model.
"Bringing digital innovation to the drill site is a natural evolution – and through this collaboration, we're offering a seamless, future-ready experience," said Major Drilling Chief Technology Officer Marc Landry.
As the partnership enters its second year, the companies are focused on producing the first commercial future-ready core imaging units, and delivering meaningful gains in speed, data quality, and operational integration across the mining value chain.
"There's more to come – this first success has proven the model, and now we're ready to ramp up," said Gerrie.
With more than 17 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration, and technology metals.
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