Xcalibur Smart Mapping will carry out the project for Uzbek Geological Exploration JSC, covering approximately 20% of Uzbekistan’s territory and expanding geological knowledge to support exploration and informed investment.

The project is envisaged as a first step towards the broader objective of covering Uzbekistan with modern, high-resolution airborne geophysical data.

Scheduled to launch in December 2026 under the National Airborne Geophysics Programme, the initiative will combine airborne geophysics, remote sensing, AI-assisted analysis and knowledge transfer.

2 November 2026 – Xcalibur Smart Mapping will undertake a major airborne geophysical mapping programme in Uzbekistan for Uzbek Geological Exploration JSC. The initiative will strengthen the country’s geological knowledge and support the development of its mineral sector.

Through an integrated Earth intelligence approach, the project will turn geoscientific data into information that helps public institutions and prospective investors assess exploration opportunities, prioritise further investigation and make better-informed decisions.

The programme will focus on the Central Kyzylkum study area, covering approximately 80,000 square kilometres, or about 20% of the country’s territory. It will bring together new measurements and existing geological information to improve understanding of the region’s mineral potential.

A large-scale geophysical survey for Central Asia

Operations are already under way. Eight aircraft are currently mobilised in the DRC, with up to 12 expected to be in operation at peak activity.

The geophysical data acquisition campaign will combine several methods, including magnetic, radiometric, gravity and electromagnetic surveys. The data collected will provide a more detailed understanding of subsurface geological structures and help identify areas with mineral potential.

The data will be processed and interpreted using advanced digital technologies, including XENAI, Xcalibur’s platform for integrating and analysing geoscientific data with the support of artificial intelligence tools.

A programme of strategic importance

The project will be the first of its kind in Central Asia, marking an important milestone in the region’s geoscientific exploration and representing a significant investment in modern geoscientific mapping in Uzbekistan.

The programme will combine magnetic, radiometric and iCORUS-iX scalar gravity surveys with TEMPEST™ fixed-wing and HeliTEM™ helicopter-borne time-domain electromagnetic surveys, as well as FALCON™ airborne gravity gradiometry.

The resulting datasets will support geological interpretation and help identify prospective areas for further mineral exploration. Some of these technologies will be applied for the first time in a regional airborne mapping programme in Central Asia.

Xcalibur Smart Mapping has used these technologies in projects for governments in the United States, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Spain and Türkiye, among others.

The scope extends beyond data acquisition. It includes digital data infrastructure, the acquisition and analysis of remote sensing data, and the integration of legacy datasets. Processing, inversion, interpretation and modelling will be complemented by AI-assisted analysis, helping turn the information collected into insights that can guide exploration and resource planning.

AI-based regional prospectivity models, using modern, high-resolution airborne geophysical data as their foundation, will also be applied for the first time in Central Asia.

Airborne field operations are planned throughout the year, with the survey programme adapted to seasonal weather conditions. For the exploration industry, the information generated will support the assessment of prospective areas and the prioritisation of follow-up work. For public institutions, it will provide a stronger evidence base for resource planning, presenting opportunities to potential investors and evaluating development proposals.

Training and final knowledge transfer will form an integral part of the programme, supporting the effective use of the data, analytical outputs and digital infrastructure delivered through the project.

The project will be supported by Xcalibur’s Central Asian team, combining regional knowledge with international experience in airborne geophysics and mineral exploration. Working alongside specialists from across the Xcalibur Group, the team will support project delivery and knowledge transfer in coordination with Uzbek Geological Exploration JSC.

The project aims to strengthen Uzbekistan’s geoscientific knowledge base and support responsible, long-term investment in its mineral sector.

Alimov Shamsiddin Paxritdinovich, Chairman of the Board:

“One of the Ministry of Mining and Geology’s key priorities is to accelerate the strengthening, assessment and development of our country’s mineral resource potential in line with international standards and through the application of modern technologies.

Our cooperation with Xcalibur Smart Mapping is an important step in this direction. The agreement provides a foundation for applying advanced airborne geophysical technologies, identifying new prospective areas and planning geological exploration with greater confidence.

We are confident that combining the expertise of our highly qualified geologists with our partner’s technological capabilities will lay a solid foundation for future investment projects.”