Inmarsat to provide connectivity for IMDEX drilling intelligence solution

Satellite connectivity will allow IMDEXHUB-IQ users to upload field data in real-time anywhere in Australasia

Inmarsat (LSE: ISAT.L), the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications and IMDEX, a leading mining equipment, technology and services (METS) provider to the global minerals industry, are working together to enhance IMDEX’s drilling intelligence solution, IMDEXHUB-IQ, with satellite connectivity. The solution now combines IMDEXHUB-IQ and Inmarsat’s reliable L-band satellite connectivity as standard, removing the need for mining and drilling companies to provide their own connectivity.  This gives them the ability to analyse and upload field data in real-time from the most isolated locations around Australasia.

IMDEX has developed an innovative, cloud-based solution, IMDEXHUB-IQ™, which aggregates and transmits vital field data collected from a range of subsurface instrumentation and mobile units. IMDEX’s instruments and systems can connect to IMDEXHUB-IQ™, to instantly upload real-time field data to headquarters, where it can be quickly analysed so results can be fed back to operational teams to make any necessary operational improvements or modifications.

 Michelle Carey, General Manager - IMDEX Product Development, spoke about the details of the relationship: “For mining and exploration operations to be successful, accurate subsurface data needs to be quickly collected and analysed to provide teams on the ground with intelligence to maximise the value of their decisions. This collaboration will allow our IMDEXHUB-IQ™ solution to connect to the cloud via Inmarsat’s highly secure and reliable network, meaning that the data obtained can be uploaded for analysis in real-time, even in areas with no terrestrial coverage.

“In the first instance we expect to take the solution to market on a regional basis to mining organisations across Australia and New Zealand, with worldwide distribution following closely behind,” Michelle continued. Joe Carr, Director of Mining Innovation at Inmarsat, added: “Inmarsat is committed to enabling the connected mine. We are working closely together with IMDEX to power its IMDEXHUB-IQ™ drilling intelligence solution, making it accessible to resource and drilling companies across Australasia by providing access to our L-band network. By building our global mobile satellite connectivity into the solution as standard, end-users do not have to spend time and considerable effort to reduce the complexity of procuring their own network providers on a project by project basis.

“Once implemented, IMDEXHUB-IQ™ will improve efficiencies to mining and exploration operations across the continent and we look forward to working together with IMDEX in the future to bring this innovative solution to a global market,” Carr concluded.