Xcalibur Smart Mapping and Dronamics partner to advance natural resources exploration

Announced at the Silicon Valley Minerals Forum

Xcalibur Smart Mapping and Dronamics announce a partnership to develop an unmanned aerial geophysics solution for natural resource exploration over land and oceans.

The resulting drone-enabled solution will integrate Xcalibur’s airborne geophysical acquisition system for magnetometry and gravity with Dronamics’ Black Swan unmanned aircraft platform.

The partnership recognizes the transformative potential of Dronamics’ drone technology to provide higher operational efficiency and advance Xcalibur’s aerial geophysics missions.

 

The collaboration is aimed at expanding access to safer, high-quality airborne geophysics by enabling survey operations in areas currently inaccessible or deemed high-risk for conventional crewed aircraft, while maintaining the data integrity required for exploration decision-making.

The global geophysical services market, estimated at approximately USD 14.6 billion in 2026, continues to grow driven by rising demand for critical minerals, energy security, infrastructure development and responsible resource management. Within this sector, the airborne geophysical services market is estimated at approximately USD 1.35 billion in 2026, reflecting increasing demand for advanced exploration technologies capable of delivering high-quality subsurface data efficiently and safely.

 

The industry empowers nations and local communities to identify and secure their own reserves of natural resources, minerals, rare earths, freshwater, as well as maritime exploration, supporting energy security, economic development, and resource sovereignty. Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s technology delivers state-of-the-art surface and subsurface exploration to map natural resources in a responsible way, with the Black Swan’s fuel efficiency further reducing the carbon footprint. Xcalibur’s airborne acquisition system integrates survey planning, instrument control, positioning and timing, and quality-control workflows to support consistent data capture. Airborne magnetic and gravity surveys are essential tools, enabling cost-effective mapping of subsurface geology and helping to pinpoint areas of resource potential from the air.

Dronamics’ UAV technology has the potential to improve operational performance by reducing risk to crews and increasing efficiency through lower operating costs, reduced environmental footprint, and greater mission flexibility. Its long-range drone platform, the Black Swan, further enhances these advantages through its superior payload capabilities, enabling it to carry the industry-leading sensor payloads and data acquisition systems developed by Xcalibur Smart Mapping.

Xcalibur and Dronamics are planning a demonstration of their joint unmanned airborne geophysics solution, showcasing system performance, data quality, and operational efficiency for mineral exploration and regional geoscience applications.

The demo will combine Xcalibur’s survey and sensor integration expertise with Dronamics’ long-range, heavy-payload drone capabilities.

The companies are scoping projects in several regions worldwide, enabling higher-quality, safer, and faster surveying and mapping in the global airborne geophysics market and expanding it to currently inaccessible and remote regions.

“Unmanned aerial vehicles are rapidly increasing in sophistication and capability, and Xcalibur Smart Mapping is well positioned to take advantage of these developments. The Black Swan offers an opportunity to completely eliminate the risk to our aircrew in survey areas currently considered too hazardous for manned operations such as offshore surveying or extremely mountainous areas, ” says Teo Hage, VP of Operations at Xcalibur Smart Mapping.

 

 

“Our Black Swan aircraft is a multi-role platform that fits the need of the airborne geophysics market for long-range, heavy-payload drones. Xcalibur is the preeminent leader in geophysical exploration and our partnership builds on the strengths of each company to create atransformational solution for a market that is crucial for national sovereignty and resilience.

Nations with a clear understanding of their natural resource base hold a decisive advantage insecuring their future. Together with Xcalibur Smart Mapping, we deliver the solutions that make this possible” says Svilen Rangelov, Co-Founder and CEO at Dronamics.

Xcalibur Smart Mapping today announced it is trialling its airborne geophysical acquisition system for magnetometry and gravity using Dronamics’ Black Swan unmanned aircraft platform.
  Jorge Urios, Corporate IT director & Teo Hage, VP of Operations, at Xcalibur Smart Mapping

 

Next steps

Xcalibur Smart Mapping and Dronamics will run an initial trial program, expected in late 2026,

with results to inform future commercial deployment options for selected regions and survey

types.

Organisations interested in participating in follow-on evaluations or discussing project requirements can contact Laura.delafuente@xcaliburmp.com
Market size sourth of truth : Jan.2026. The business research company

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Xcalibur Smart Mapping and the Geological Survey of Brazil Sign Agreement to Resume Airborne Geophysical Surveys

  • The partnership enables the acquisition of up to one million linear kilometers of high-resolution geophysical data.
  • This milestone supports Brazil’s energy transition and strengthens the country’s role as a global geoscience leader.

The Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB) and Xcalibur Smart Mapping (through Lasa Prospecções) have signed a price registration agreement to resume large-scale airborne geophysical surveys across Brazil. The contract allows for the acquisition of up to one million linear kilometers of high-resolution data, with an initial term of one year and the possibility of extension.

The signing ceremony took place the 26th of March at SGB headquarters in Brasília and marked a decisive step in the country’s strategy to modernize its geoscientific infrastructure and unlock new insights into Brazil’s mineral potential.

“With this signing, we are taking a decisive step toward expanding geological knowledge in Brazil. These high-quality airborne geophysical surveys will strengthen our database, boost the mineral sector, and create an even more attractive environment for investment,” said Inácio Melo, President of the Geological Survey of Brazil.


The agreement also served as the backdrop for the launch of two strategic national programs:

  • The Ten-Year Geological Mapping Plan (PlanGeo 2025–2034), which outlines Brazil’s long-term geological mapping strategy.
  • The Deep Brazil Program, focused on exploring the deep geological structure of the territory using advanced geophysical methods.

“This is not just a technical project — it is a commitment to Brazil’s future, to sustainable development, and to preserving sovereignty over our natural wealth,” emphasized Valdir Silveira, Director of Geology and Mineral Resources at SGB.

Xcalibur Smart Mapping reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Brazilian government in generating strategic data to support responsible mineral exploration and the energy transition.

“This partnership with SGB reflects our shared vision: that science, technology, and sustainability must go hand in hand. We are honored to contribute to strengthening Brazil’s geoscientific capabilities and boosting the country’s competitiveness on the global stage,” stated Andrés Blanco, CEO of Xcalibur Smart Mapping.

Since the 1970s, SGB has led major airborne geophysical campaigns across Brazil. Between 2004 and 2014, the institution invested more than USD 183 million in gamma spectrometry and magnetometry surveys, covering 86% of Brazil’s crystalline basement.

“This marks the beginning of a new phase for airborne geophysics in Brazil. Our entire team is committed to delivering the highest standards in data acquisition and supporting the country’s long-term development goals,” added Henrique Duarte, Managing director of Xcalibur Smart Mapping in Brazil.

With this new agreement, Brazil reaffirms its leadership in applying geoscience to sustainability, innovation, and energy transformation.

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Xcalibur Smart Mapping has been awarded in the Resources and Energy category at this year’s Australian Export Awards.

We have been awarded in the Resources and Energy category at this year’s Australian Export Awards and very grateful especially in a record-breaking year with 105 entries from 48 different companies.

This recognition highlights the vital role Xcalibur Smart Mapping plays in supporting countries through airborne exploration for data-driven decisions for the energy transition, which is essential for sustainable national development.

At Xcalibur Smart Mapping, we provide cutting-edge Airborne geophysical data acquisition technologies that enable countries and industries to make informed decisions about their energy future. Our technology allows us to gather critical data from vast areas, which is then analyzed and managed to provide clear insights for optimizing resource use and planning energy strategies.

In a world that is rapidly transitioning towards renewable energy, making decisions based on high-quality data is essential. Our airborne data acquisition, followed by rigorous analysis, ensures that governments, energy providers, and industries have access to the information they need to effectively manage resources and plan for sustainable energy solutions. This award acknowledges the importance of the work we do in enabling this crucial transition.

A Milestone in a Record Year

Receiving this recognition in a year with the highest number of applications in the history of the Australian Export Awards makes this achievement particularly significant. As global demand for sustainable energy solutions continues to grow, Xcalibur’s ability to provide actionable insights through advanced data acquisition and analysis is more crucial than ever.

Our airborne technologies** not only help identify critical minerals essential for renewable energy technologies like electric vehicle batteries and solar panels, but they also assist in efficiently managing resources, contributing to more sustainable development. This award reflects the essential role we play in this global challenge, and we are thankful for the recognition.

Next Stop: National Title and Exporter of the Year

As we celebrate this achievement, we are looking ahead to the next step in our journey. Our next stop is the Western Australian Export Awards 2024 Gala Dinner and then onto Canberra this November, where we will compete for the National Title in our category as well as the prestigious Australian Exporter of the Year Award.

western australia awards

Empowering Global Energy Solutions

At Xcalibur Smart Mapping, with a strong ESG commitment, we contribute to the global transition towards more sustainable energy solutions. Our technology supports countries in their efforts to manage resources more effectively, paving the way for a cleaner, data-driven future. This award reaffirms the importance of our work and the key role that airborne data acquisition, analysis, and management, plays in ensuring successful energy transitions.

We believe that the future of energy is deeply rooted in innovation and strategic, data-driven planning. By equipping countries and businesses with the insights they need to make informed decisions, we are helping them take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future.

Once again, we are grateful for the recognition from the Australian Export Awards, and we look forward to continuing our journey of innovation, sustainability, and global impact.

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The strategic importance of natural capital and mineral exploration in the context of the energy transition

We invite you to explore the white paper, which extensively covers key areas including:

1. Understanding natural capital and its role in sustainable development is crucial.

2. Mineral exploration plays a critical role in facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

3. Mapping natural capital holds great importance in informing decision-making processes and mitigating environmental impacts.

4. Explore case studies and best practices that highlight successful initiatives in natural capital mapping and mineral exploration.

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Xcalibur Smart Mapping and Stanford University Initiate a pioneer AI and machine learning Project for the Energy Transition

Xcalibur Smart Mapping, Stanford University in collaboration with Mineral-X, are launching a pioneering project to revolutionize the mapping of natural capital using cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning. This initiative addresses critical challenges in large-scale natural capital mapping and will play a key role in the global energy transition.

Both AI and machine learning algorithms will enable Xcalibur to offer its clients higher-value-added products for utilizing their natural resources, with a focus on efficiency, sustainability, and environmental respect.

The AI Lab that both research teams are developing aims to transform the mapping of natural capital on a global scale. This pioneering project will address key challenges of country mapping in integrating geophysical and borehole data, and in quantitively geological interpretation using advanced artificial intelligence techniques. Additionally, the lab will focus on automating the generation of labeled data and creating accurate economic models as part of the Smart Regional Interpretation Solution for the sustainable management of natural resources, thus supporting the global energy transition.

The project will tackle several major challenges, including integrating geophysical and borehole data into actionable formats like 3D geological and prospectivity maps at large scale, effectively capturing and using qualitative geological interpretations in machine learning applications, and Large Dataset Management with advanced software and computational infrastructure.

To address these challenges, this collaboration will develop Innovative Spatial Information Methods including Automated Spatial Domaining and Interactive Training Label Generation. We will further advance 3D Multiphysics Inversion and 3D Mineral Prospectivity Mapping and develop Economic Models for Natural Resources and Smart Regional Interpretation. All research developments will be transformed into Xcalibur Smart Mapping systems with Advanced Software and Infrastructures.

“This collaboration between Stanford and Xcalibur Smart Mapping not only represents a significant advancement in the Smart Country Mapping Solution.  The application of artificial intelligence in aerial geophysics also underscores our shared commitment to preserving and understanding our planet’s natural capital. Through the synergy of scientific knowledge and innovative technology, we are charting a path towards a future where the study of natural capital is not only more accurate, but also more sustainable, enabling us to protect and harness our resources more effectively for future generations” has stated Jorge Urios. Innovation Director at Xcalibur Smart Mapping.

Teo Hage, Head of Technology at Xcalibur Smart Mapping, commented: this collaboration with Stanford is, on one hand, a significant boost to our Smart Country Mapping solution; on the other, the combination of our new sensor technologies and machine learning solutions is charting the path towards a future where the surveying of natural capital, at scale, is quick and accurate  

“Mineral-X is delighted to contribute Xcalibur’s mission to map country-scale natural resources. In this project, we will collaborate to develop new technology based on 3D modeling, artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate and facilitate the expedient processing of geophysical data directly into a three-dimensional view of a country’s subsurface resources”, has added Jef Caers, Director and Professor at Mineral-X, Stanford University are the project leaders.

“We have established our own AI Lab to develop innovative services for our clients, and the agreement with Stanford will undoubtedly enhance our capabilities by leveraging cutting-edge research. This collaboration will enable us to offer higher value-added products for the optimal utilization of natural resources, focusing on efficiency, sustainability, and environmental stewardship”, expressed Andrés Blanco, CEO at Xcalibur Smart Mapping.

 

About Stanford University

Stanford was founded almost 150 years ago on a bedrock of societal purpose. Our mission is to contribute to the world by educating students for lives of leadership and contribution with integrity; advancing fundamental knowledge and cultivating creativity; and accelerating solutions and amplifying their impact.

 

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