Fleet Space Technologies, Australia’s largest aerospace company, has announced the deployment of its mineral exploration solution, ExoSphere, to advance Barrick Gold’s copper exploration at the Reko Diq project in Pakistan.

By leveraging advanced space technology, AI and 3D multiphysics, ExoSphere will generate detailed 3D subsurface maps of local groundwater systems and copper porphyry complexes across multiple areas of interest, the company said. said in a press release.

“Barrick Gold and Fleet Space are united in our use of advanced technologies to enhance mineral discovery and unlock sustainability benefits throughout the exploration journey,” said Flavia Tata Nardini, co-founder and CEO of Fleet Space Technologies.

She continued: “By applying the latest innovations in space, AI and 3D multiphysics to copper exploration, we are demonstrating a more sustainable, scalable path to achieving the copper supply required for our clean energy future, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are proud to leverage 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.

Reko Diq is located in the Chagai Mountains, part of the Tethyan Magmatic Arc, and is known for its significant copper and gold ore deposits.

Fleet Space expects the project, which is scheduled to start production in 2028, to be a significant contributor to the Pakistani economy by creating employment opportunities, stimulating investment in development programs and promoting regional economic growth in Balochistan, in line with Barrick Gold’s sustainability pillars.

ExoSphere leverages Fleet Space’s network of low-Earth orbit satellites, smart seismic sensors with edge computing and high-speed data processing to deliver 3D mapping of mineral systems and AI-driven drill targets with virtually zero environmental impact.

ExoSphere’s sustainability benefits and innovative capabilities were recently recognised at the Banksia Foundation’s 35th National Sustainability Awards, where it won the Climate Technology Impact Award for 2024.

The rapid global adoption of ExoSphere has fueled Fleet Space’s exponential growth over the past year, including a $50 million Series C funding round, a doubling of its valuation to $350 million, plans to send a variant of ExoSphere to the moon in 2026, and recognition as Australia’s fastest growing company.