MUSCAT: French-based multinational geoscience technology services firm Viridien has been selected by Minerals Development Oman (MDO), the country’s leading mining investment company, to help crunch data necessary to identify mineral resources in its sprawling mineral concessions.
Paris-headquartered Viridien (previously known as CGS) announced on Thursday that it has secured a contract from MDO – part of Oman Investment Authority (OIA) – to undertake a comprehensive remote sensing programme to identify, map and rank mineralisation prospectivity across seven mineral concessions covering a total area of 16,000 km2.
Viridien said it will leverage its technological expertise in reviewing data from a series of remote sensing programmes commissioned by MDO in support of its mineral exploration activities.
To this end, it plans to use machine learning, high-performance computing, advanced processing algorithms and archives of satellite imagery to create high-resolution 3D models that will help MDO prioritise exploration targets.
These models – based on proprietary Base Earth Plus technology – will be integrated with structural, airborne geophysical, and gamma-ray spectrometry data, to support MDO in identifying the mineral potential in the Samail and Masirah Ophiolites, Viridien noted.
The latest contract award follows the successful conclusion of an Airborne Geophysical Survey project aimed at identifying metallic minerals for eventual development and commercialisation.
During the two-year long exercise, undertaken in phases, the survey covered a total area of around 21,500 km2 broadly covering the surface area of MDO’s extensive mineral portfolio.
Welcoming Viridien’s support for its mineral exploration efforts, MDO’s CEO, Nasser al Maqbali, stated: “We are pleased to partner with Viridien for this remote sensing programme. This collaboration underscores our commitment to harnessing the power of AI tools and cutting-edge solutions and integrating them into our exploration and mining operations. We look forward to a fruitful partnership supporting our vision of expanding our mineral resources in the Sultanate.”
Peter Whiting, EVP, Geoscience, Viridien, commented, "Following our fifty-year track record supporting mineral exploration projects, Viridien is pleased to assist MDO with our advanced remote sensing, AI and integrated Minerals & Mining solutions. Our aim is to support more efficient and accurate decision-making for mine operators throughout the mining lifecycle. We look forward to building a long-term partnership with MDO as they achieve their strategic vision of delivering a sustainable future for Oman."
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