CopperTech deploys space technology to ramp up exploration at Konkola mine
Posté : jeu. 12 févr. 2026 11:13
CopperTech Metals has entered a strategic partnership with Axiom Group, VBKOM and Fleet Space Technologies to deploy next-generation geoscience technologies at its Konkola copper mine in Zambia.
CopperTech, a US-domiciled company launched by India’s Vedanta Resources last November, holds a majority stake in the asset through its subsidiary Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).
Considered one of the highest-grade copper-producing assets in the world, Konkola features ore grades of 2.9% to 3.3% and has combined reserves/resources of roughly 16 million tonnes of copper.
The new company said it intends to further develop this resource by leveraging advanced mining and AI-driven technologies. This collaboration will accelerate subsurface insights, improve decision velocity and strengthen CopperTech’s resource development capabilities, it said in Wednesday’s release.
The partnership brings together Axiom’s geoscience and VBKOM’s mining systems expertise and Fleet Space’s ExoSphere platform, a space-enabled, AI-powered data and analytics system, to enhance how near-mine exploration and resource definition are undertaken.
“CopperTech is deploying innovative technologies at KCM to strengthen our vertically integrated mining operations from exploration to metal production,” CopperTech CEO Deshnee Naidoo said in a news release.
“This strategic partnership with Axiom, VBKOM and Fleet brings together world-class partners to integrate advanced geoscience technology and earth-based applications to enhance exploration accuracy, target definition and resource confidence.”
Through this partnership, Axiom will embed Fleet’s ExoSphere and conduct a high-resolution 3-D seismic survey covering the orebody and proximal areas at KCM, generating high-resolution 3-D OBK (ore body knowledge) models, AI-driven drill targeting insights, and integrated geoscience intelligence that supports data-rich drill campaign design and execution.
This approach enables faster learning cycles, reduces exploration uncertainty and enhances the efficiency of resource delineation in complex geological settings, the Saskatchewan-based company said.
“Our work with CopperTech, VBKOM and Fleet Space represents a new model for how mining companies deploy innovation, not just to accelerate geological understanding and drill confidence, but to build long-term capability and competitiveness,” Axion CEO Doug Engdahl stated.
“By combining our global technical experience and leadership with Fleet’s real-time data systems, we are driving a change in speed, precision and confidence in exploration decision-making.”
CopperTech, a US-domiciled company launched by India’s Vedanta Resources last November, holds a majority stake in the asset through its subsidiary Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).
Considered one of the highest-grade copper-producing assets in the world, Konkola features ore grades of 2.9% to 3.3% and has combined reserves/resources of roughly 16 million tonnes of copper.
The new company said it intends to further develop this resource by leveraging advanced mining and AI-driven technologies. This collaboration will accelerate subsurface insights, improve decision velocity and strengthen CopperTech’s resource development capabilities, it said in Wednesday’s release.
The partnership brings together Axiom’s geoscience and VBKOM’s mining systems expertise and Fleet Space’s ExoSphere platform, a space-enabled, AI-powered data and analytics system, to enhance how near-mine exploration and resource definition are undertaken.
“CopperTech is deploying innovative technologies at KCM to strengthen our vertically integrated mining operations from exploration to metal production,” CopperTech CEO Deshnee Naidoo said in a news release.
“This strategic partnership with Axiom, VBKOM and Fleet brings together world-class partners to integrate advanced geoscience technology and earth-based applications to enhance exploration accuracy, target definition and resource confidence.”
Through this partnership, Axiom will embed Fleet’s ExoSphere and conduct a high-resolution 3-D seismic survey covering the orebody and proximal areas at KCM, generating high-resolution 3-D OBK (ore body knowledge) models, AI-driven drill targeting insights, and integrated geoscience intelligence that supports data-rich drill campaign design and execution.
This approach enables faster learning cycles, reduces exploration uncertainty and enhances the efficiency of resource delineation in complex geological settings, the Saskatchewan-based company said.
“Our work with CopperTech, VBKOM and Fleet Space represents a new model for how mining companies deploy innovation, not just to accelerate geological understanding and drill confidence, but to build long-term capability and competitiveness,” Axion CEO Doug Engdahl stated.
“By combining our global technical experience and leadership with Fleet’s real-time data systems, we are driving a change in speed, precision and confidence in exploration decision-making.”