Announcements
4 MIN. READ

Xcalibur Smart Mapping and Baiterek Holding Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Geophysical Exploration in Kazakhstan

  • A groundbreaking partnership for Kazakhstan’s future.
  • Pioneering airborne geophysics in Central Asia.
  • Investment in cutting-edge technology and local expertise.

Xcalibur Smart Mapping has taken a significant step in its commitment with Kazakhstan development by signing a strategic agreement with Baiterek Holding, a state-owned entity in Kazakhstan. This collaboration establishes a regional centre for airborne geophysics and geospatial mapping, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s role in natural resource management, industrial growth, and sustainable development.

The agreement was formalised at the 18th of march, Kazakhstan-Spain Business Council Meeting, where top government officials and industry leaders convened to discuss investment opportunities and economic cooperation.

Xcalibur Smart Mapping and Baiterek Holding are now set to transform Kazakhstan into a leading hub for airborne geophysical exploration in Central Asia. Under the Framework for Cooperation (FoC) outlined in the agreement, Xcalibur Kazakhstan will spearhead large-scale airborne geophysical surveys, mapping key natural resources such as critical, base, and precious metals, oil and gas, geothermal energy, and groundwater. The initiative will bolster Kazakhstan’s industrial expansion and strengthen its competitiveness in global resource exploration.

To ensure the success of these operations, Xcalibur will oversee a fleet of specialised aircraft, optimising operational efficiency and enhancing geophysical survey coverage. In parallel, Central Asia GreenField Assets will explore opportunities for a joint venture in early-stage mineral and energy resource development, aligning Kazakhstan’s exploration strategy with the global transition to sustainable energy.

Baiterek Holding has committed to supporting Xcalibur Kazakhstan’s growth, focusing on expanding operational bases in Astana and Almaty, fostering a highly trained local workforce, and advancing airborne geophysical technologies. “This partnership marks a turning point for airborne geophysical exploration in Kazakhstan. By leveraging advanced mapping technologies and local expertise, we are not only strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as a leader in mineral exploration but also fostering long-term economic resilience,” stated Said Sultanov, Managing Director of Xcalibur Kazakhstan.

Baiterek MoU With Xcalibur

Beyond workforce development, Xcalibur Smart Mapping is driving innovation through investment in next-generation airborne survey technologies and data-driven geophysical intelligence. A key aspect of this initiative is the establishment of a Smart Country Mapping framework, designed to enhance geo-data, for national resource inventory efforts and attract foreign investment into Kazakhstan’s mining and energy sectors.

Xcalibur Smart Mapping and Baiterek Holding have reaffirmed their commitment to technological advancement and sustainability. As part of this initiative, both entities will collaborate with Kazakhstani academic institutions to establish specialist training programmes, equipping the country with a new generation of geophysical experts. In addition, the agreement promotes public-private partnerships aimed at strengthening geospatial intelligence infrastructure, a crucial element in the sustainable management of Kazakhstan’s natural resources.

“Our agreement with Baiterek Holding is a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainability in geophysical exploration. By establishing a regional hub in Kazakhstan, we aim to drive technological advancements that will support national and international mining and energy industries,” commented Andrés Blanco, CEO of Xcalibur Smart Mapping.

The Kazakhstan-Spain Business Council Meeting provided an ideal platform to reinforce economic collaboration between the two nations. In addition to the Xcalibur-Baiterek agreement, several other strategic deals were signed at the event, underscoring the growing investment potential in Kazakhstan’s industrial and energy sectors. Timur Onzhanov, Deputy Chairman of Baiterek Holding, highlighted the significance of these developments: “We are on the verge of a new era of cooperation in key sectors such as investment, innovation, infrastructure, and sustainable energy development. Spanish businesses have a unique opportunity to contribute their expertise and investment in geospatial mapping, mineral exploration, and advanced geophysical technologies to support Kazakhstan’s strategic economic goals.”

With the framework now in place, Xcalibur Smart Mapping and Baiterek Holding are preparing to launch Kazakhstan’s first high-resolution airborne geophysical surveys under this partnership. The initiative is expected to attract increased foreign investment, consolidating Kazakhstan’s status as a central player in the global mining and energy landscape. As this ambitious project unfolds, both organisations remain dedicated to advancing innovation, economic growth, and responsible resource management.

 

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Announcements
3 MIN. READ

Xcalibur Smart Mapping Expands Capabilities with Acquisition of PGW’s Interpretation Division

Madrid, 3rd March 2025 – Xcalibur Smart Mapping, the global leader in airborne geophysics and remote sensing for natural capital mapping, is excited to announce the acquisition of the interpretation division of Paterson, Grant & Watson Limited (PGW), a Canada-based firm. This reinforces the growth strategy, significantly enhancing its geophysical interpretation services and expertise.

Xcalibur integrates PGW’s elite interpretation team, boosting its ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions for clients. The addition of these skilled professionals, led by Stephen Reford and his team, will provide crucial leadership in geophysical interpretation, reinforcing Xcalibur’s position as an industry leader. This step also supports the ongoing development of Xcalibur’s AI capabilities, improving process efficiency, optimizing deliverables, and driving continued innovation in interpretation services.

PGW will continue as an independent geophysical consultant under the stewardship of Edna Mueller-Markham, providing survey management, quality control and consulting services to its client base. PGW remains unaffiliated with Xcalibur Smart Mapping.

Andrés Blanco, CEO of Xcalibur Smart Mapping, stated: “We welcome PGW’s exceptional interpretation team into the Xcalibur Smart Mapping family. This acquisition strengthens our leadership in regional interpretation and solidifies our commitment to delivering superior value to our clients, in special to governments. By integrating PGW’s expertise, we are not only expanding our service offerings but also enhancing our AI-driven regional interpretation solutions, which are vital to our long-term strategy of value-added data solutions for our clients.”

The acquisition brings Stephen Reford, former Chief Commercial Officer at PGW, into the Xcalibur team. He will assume the position of Senior Geophysicist, Head of Smart Geophysical Interpretation. “We are very pleased to bring the PGW geophysical pedigree to bear across the spectrum of Xcalibur Smart Mapping projects. Peter Tschirhart, Skyler Mallozzi and I look forward to integrating with the Xcalibur interpretation team, to further enhance its quality and efficiency in meeting the clients’ needs. There are numerous opportunities to incorporate emerging technologies in the interpretation workflow, to differentiate Xcalibur Smart Mapping. A good interpretation starts with high quality data. This is a well-established strength of Xcalibur and provides an excellent foundation for next level interpretation”

With this alliance Xcalibur enhances its ability to provide world-class geophysics interpretation services and solutions. Clients can expect a seamless transition with continued excellence in quality, project scope, and development, backed by a team of experts committed to delivering outstanding results.

 

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Announcements
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Xcalibur Smart Mapping, backed by Kartesia Asset Finance and Miralta Credit Opportunities, secures €40 million in funding to expand its aircraft fleet

Madrid, 14 January 2025

  • The funds will be allocated to expanding the aircraft fleet, which includes both airplanes and specialized helicopters.
  • The company’s current fleet of 43 aircraft and its use of advanced technology have been instrumental in driving economic development in various regions, solidifying its position as an industry leader in the sector.

Kartesia Asset Finance (managed by Flexam), and Miralta Credit Opportunities, a company participated by Miraltabank, will provide up to €40 million in funding to Xcalibur Smart Mapping. This investment will enable the Spanish company to strengthen its position as a global leader in natural resource mapping.

The funds will be used to expand the aircraft fleet, including both airplanes and helicopters. This new fleet will increase Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s operational and technological capabilities, ensuring more efficient services in the exploration and assessment of key resources such as critical minerals, hydrogen and geothermal energy, essential elements for a global and fair energy transition.

This funding not only ensures the optimisation of our current operations but also strengthens our ability to take on new global projects more efficiently. It is a decisive step in achieving our strategic goals and reaffirming our leadership in the international market” said Joaquín López, CEO of Xcalibur Aviation, the company responsible, within Xcalibur Smart Mapping group, for managing the acquisition and availability of aircraft for its subsidiaries.

Flexam is honoured to support the global expansion of Xcalibur Smart Mapping group. This transaction fully matches our investment philosophy which aims at supporting the development of sustainable solutions in energy transition. We look forward to increasing our collaboration with Xcalibur Smart Mapping and our activity in Spain” said Florian de Sigy, Managing Partner at Flexam.

Our objective is to support the growth of Spanish companies through alternative financing. Xcalibur Smart Mapping is a global leader in airborne geophysics, with a competitive technological advantage that allows them to locate and map essential natural resources for the energy transition while minimising environmental impact,” explains Mariano Echeguren, Managing Partner of Miralta Credit Opportunities.

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Announcements
3 MIN. READ

Xcalibur Multiphysics role in Africa Debate 2023: Empowering Change and Collaboration

Xcalibur Multiphysics role in Africa Debate 2023: Empowering Change and Collaboration

On the 10th and 11th of May, Xcalibur Multiphysics participated in the Africa Debate organized by Invest Africa, held at Guildhall in London

Together with its main partners, The Africa Finance Corporation, this event aims to catalyze the commercial potential of the African continent, being London’s premier investment summit focused on the continent.

The Africa Debate brings together 500 influential leaders from various sectors, including trade, investment, infrastructure, development finance institutions, financial services, government and key industries in Africa, among others, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, was also present at this edition.

Energy Transition round table:

On the 10th, our CEO, Andres Blanco, participated in the Energy Transition roundtable held at The Law Society, along with other keynote speakers. During this private lunch, the speakers discussed the possibilities and opportunities for financing the continent’s energy transition. The discussion focused on key issues such as the financing gap of the energy transition in Africa, what actions the private sector should take to play a more active role in financing the transition, and how to ensure that the energy transition integrates and benefits all segments of society, particularly the most vulnerable ones.

Leveraging Critical Minerals to Advance African Trade Panel:
On the 11th, Andres Blanco also participated in the panel Leveraging Critical Minerals to Advance African Trade, along side other speakers such as Tavraj Banga, Partner & Co-Head of Helios Investment Partners, Simon Gardner-Bond, Chief Technical Officer of TechMet, and Amb. J. Peter Pham, Distinguished Fellow of Atlantic Council. During the panel, our CEO presented the need for responsible mapping of critical minerals and quality data for the development of African countries. Specifically, he highlighted how the acquisition of quality data on natural resources can help facilitate investment and the development of sustainable mining practices.

Xcalibur Multiphysics seized the opportunity at this exceptional international event to present and share the profound value of airborne geophysics for the progress of the African continent.

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Events
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Xcalibur Group at 1st Angola Mining Conference (AMC 2019)

Xcalibur Group at 1st Angola Mining Conference (AMC 2019)

On November 20-21, 2019, it was held the 1st Angola Mining Conference & Exhibition at Talatona Convention Center in Luanda with the presence of Xcalibur Group among other entities.

The event was held under the theme “Enhance the National Mining Sector Potential through Investment and Diversification and saw the participation of 600 participants, 80 speakers, and more than 350 delegates from 25 countries, including Government officials, industry stakeholders and key decision makers in the mining industry.

Xcalibur Group’s CEO Mr. Andrés Blanco talks to the President of the Republic of Angola Mr. João Loureno.

During two days, conferences, presentations and panel discussions took place to give an overview of Mining Policies, Legal Framework, Corporate Environmental and Social responsibility, and other relevant subjects. Important Mining Investment Agreements were announced and signed between MIREMPET, National and International companies, showing Angola’s potential in attracting investment in this key sector for the national economy.

Mr. Loureno during his visit to Xcalibur Group’s stand at AMC talks to company directives.
Xcalibur Group’s Billy Steenkamp during a presentation.

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