How Abitibi Geophysics and Axceta transformed subsurface exploration with real-time, wireless geophysical surveys.
Based on an interview between Nadine Veillette, CEO of Abitibi Geophysics and Hélène Gey, Axceta’s CMO.
For decades, mineral exploration relied on patience, precision, and plenty of wires. However, as the demand for critical minerals grows and deposits become increasingly challenging to find, exploration methods must evolve. That’s why Abitibi Geophysics, a leader in geophysics with over 40 years of expertise, set out to build a next-generation solution that delivers deeper insights faster.
Why DAS Vision Pro? A New Era for Mineral Exploration
The DAS Vision Pro project was born out of a pressing need in the mineral exploration industry: how to locate increasingly more profound and more complex mineral deposits faster and with better precision.
For over 40 years, induced polarization (IP), a method that sends electrical currents into the ground to detect sulphide minerals like pyrite, has been a core tool in exploration. The process measures how minerals “hold” and release electric charge, a property known as chargeability.
In gold exploration, this method is beneficial because gold is often found in disseminated systems, thin, widely spread veins that other methods can easily miss.
Twenty years ago, IP surveys could only probe depths of about 75 meters. Today, thanks to advancements in instrumentation and 3D modelling, that reach extends to 300–400 meters, uncovering what was previously invisible.
DAS Vision Pro takes this even further with its distributed array system. Unlike traditional line-based IP setups, DAS Vision Pro uses independent, wireless receivers that don’t require perfect alignment or cables. This flexibility means operators can easily adapt to field conditions, navigating around lakes, hills, or rough terrain, without compromising data quality.
Just as importantly, the distributed system enables 3D sensitivity in both X and Y axes, allowing better detection of mineralization patterns regardless of their orientation underground.
From Delay to Instant Insights
In traditional surveys, data collected in the field would be transferred to a field computer, then to a geophysicist, and would only be analyzed days or weeks later. Final 3D models, critical to guiding exploration, arrived too late to adapt plans on-site.
With DAS Vision Pro, Abitibi Geophysics reimagined the workflow: a network of distributed, wireless receivers automatically sends field data to a central console, enabling near-instant geological modelling.
- Survey data is now sent automatically to a central console.
- Operators can visualize 3D models within minutes of current injections.
- Connected receivers enter low-power mode between uses, massively extending battery life.
The result? Field teams can now spot anomalies within minutes and decide in real-time whether to extend surveys or shift their focus, saving both time and cost.
The Role of Axceta
To take this technological leap, Abitibi Geophysics partnered with Axceta for its strong expertise in IoT systems and real-time data transmission, skills that were highly complementary to the geophysicists’ domain knowledge. This collaboration made it possible to build a system that was both robust and agile.
Axceta was responsible for designing the mesh network that allows each receiver to communicate autonomously, without relying on wired infrastructure. The system enables seamless data transfer from one sensor to another, all the way back to the central console, even in challenging field conditions.
The collaboration also involved Catalys, which worked on the mechanical design of the receivers. Together, the teams tackled the dual challenge of developing a compact, field-resistant device while ensuring fast and reliable data acquisition.
Despite tight deadlines and technical challenges, the team successfully brought the project from concept to a functional system in just 16 months, a strong example of what agile, cross-disciplinary collaboration can achieve in complex fields like geophysics. Field deployment is planned in the coming months.
Efficiency Gains and Future Potential
The impact is measurable:
- Battery life improved by up to 4x due to smart power modes.
- Survey speed increased, resulting in reduced operational costs.
- No rigid grids needed, offering flexibility in the field.
- Preliminary models in minutes vs. weeks.
For Abitibi Geophysics, the DAS Vision Pro is just the beginning. The same mesh-enabled architecture will soon support additional geophysical methods and new mineral targets.
“Working with Axceta helped us innovate faster and smarter,” says Nadine Veillette, CEO of Abitibi Geophysics. “We’re already exploring how to expand this platform further.”
