Reducing Mineral Exploration Time with Geophysics: A Key Challenge in Securing the Supply of Raw Materials

Reducing the time from prospectivity studies to mine production is essential to secure strategic and critical raw materials (SCRM). Currently, this process takes 10 to 20 years—too slow to meet industrial and energy transition demands. Brownfield exploration helps but is insufficient. Copper, crucial for electrification, faces supply constraints as demand is set to double by 2050, yet major mines are ageing, and new discoveries remain costly and slow.

Key challenges include complex geology, regulatory hurdles, and economic fluctuations. Many remaining copper resources lie deeper, requiring advanced geophysical techniques for efficient exploration. AI enhances data analysis, improves targeting, and optimizes risk management, but also increases raw material and energy consumption.

Geophysical innovations are critical. Improved airborne surveys, passive seismic with electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and induced polarization (IP), as well as magnetotelluric (MT) and seismic imaging, enhance deep deposit characterization while reducing environmental impact. Accelerating exploration is no longer optional—it is a necessity. By integrating advanced technologies, optimizing workflows, and aligning efforts with industry needs, we can significantly shorten discovery-to-production timelines while ensuring responsible resource extraction.