Fleet Space Technologies, Australia’s premier space exploration company, announced the deployment of its mineral exploration solution, ExoSphere, to advance Barrick Gold’s copper exploration efforts at the Reko Diq project in Pakistan.
Leveraging cutting-edge space technology, AI, and 3D multiphysics, ExoSphere will generate detailed 3D subsurface maps of local groundwater systems and copper porphyry complexes across multiple zones of interest, the company said in a news release.
“Barrick Gold and Fleet Space are united in our use of cutting-edge technologies to enhance mineral discovery and unlock sustainability benefits across the exploration journey,” said Flavia Tata Nardini, co-founder & CEO of Fleet Space Technologies.
She continued, “By applying the latest innovations in space, AI, and 3D multiphysics to copper exploration, we demonstrate a more sustainable, scalable path to achieve the copper supply needed for our clean energy future, in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are proud to deploy ExoSphere to advance Barrick Gold’s ESG objectives and support the development of a world-class operation at Reko Diq.”
Reko Diq is a strategic part of Barrick Gold’s copper portfolio and represents one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold projects in the world.
Located in the Chagai mountain range, part of the Tethyan Magmatic Arc, Reko Diq is known for its significant copper-gold ore deposits.
With production planned to commence in 2028, Fleet Space said the project is expected to be a major contributor to Pakistan’s economy, creating employment opportunities, driving investment in development programs, and promoting regional economic growth in Balochistan in line with Barrick Gold’s sustainability pillars.
Utilising Fleet Space’s satellite network in low Earth orbit, smart seismic sensors with edge computing, and rapid data processing, ExoSphere delivers 3D mapping of mineral systems and AI-powered drill targeting with near-zero environmental impact.
The sustainability benefits and innovative capabilities of ExoSphere were recently recognised at the Banksia Foundation’s 35th National Sustainability Awards, where it won the Climate Technology Impact Award for 2024.
ExoSphere’s rapid global adoption has propelled Fleet Space’s exponential growth over the past year, including a A$50 million Series C funding round, a doubling of its valuation to A$350 million, plans to send a variant of ExoSphere to the Moon in 2026, and recognition as Australia’s fastest growing company.
