Remote Sensing Analysis Accelerates Copper-Silver Exploration at AX Project

TerraEye recently completed a rapid, comprehensive remote sensing analysis for the AX copper-silver project in northern British Columbia, demonstrating how our automated processing capabilities and expert team can deliver actionable exploration insights within weeks.

The Challenge

Consulting geologist Christopher Baldys, P.Eng. approached TerraEye seeking to enhance geological understanding of the AX project, located 50 km northeast of Cassiar. The project area presented several challenges typical for exploration in British Columbia:

  • Dense vegetation cover limiting bedrock exposure
  • Complex geological setting with multiple mineralization styles
  • Recent forest fire activity changing surface conditions
  • Need for rapid, cost-effective targeting before the field season

Our Approach

TerraEye deployed its automated processing pipeline to rapidly analyze multiple satellite datasets:

  • High-resolution PlanetScope imagery (3-4m resolution)
  • Sentinel-2 multispectral data
  • EnMAP hyperspectral data
  • Copernicus digital elevation model

What sets our approach apart is the combination of automated processing with expert geological interpretation. Within two weeks of receiving the request, our team:

  1. Generated Bare Earth Composites using Sentinel-2 data to see through vegetation
  2. Applied machine learning algorithms to detect rock outcrops using PlanetScope data
  3. Created multiple spectral indices for mineral mapping
  4. Identified geological structures using DEM analysis
  5. Integrated all results into an easily accessible online platform

The Results

Our analysis delivered several key insights:

Automated Outcrop Detection: Using machine learning trained on expert-labeled examples, we mapped exposed bedrock across the property with high accuracy, even using medium-resolution satellite data. This provided crucial geological context that would have taken weeks to map on the ground.

[Figure 1 showing outcrop detection results]

Mineral Alteration Mapping: Through automated spectral analysis, we identified multiple styles of alteration including:

  • Clay minerals (montmorillonite, kaolinite)
  • Iron oxides and hydroxides
  • Carbonate minerals
  • Potential silicification zones
Clay minerals indices. Blue - Montmorillonite HSI Index, Red - Kaolinite HSI Index, Yellow - Clay Minerals HSI Index

Fe-rich minerals indices. Blue - Gossan MSI Index, Green – Fe-silcates MSI Index, Orange – Iron Oxide HSI Index.

Gypsum and calcite indices. Orange – Calcite HSI Index, overlapping with Red - Gypsum HSI Index.

Geological Structure Analysis: Our DEM analysis highlighted key structural controls on mineralization, helping to refine the exploration model.

Showing topographic analysis


Data Integration & Targeting: Most importantly, we reduced the complexity of multiple data layers into clear exploration targets, ranked by priority.

EnMap- derived AI clusters – this example shows 20 clusters per AOI. The color assignation is random. The white-border polygon presents AC Claims’ mineral claim

EnMap- derived AI clusters – this example shows 20 clusters per AOI. The color assignation is random. The white-border polygon presents AC Claims’ mineral claim.


Value Delivered

The TerraEye platform provided several key advantages:

Speed: Complete analysis delivered within 2 weeks of project initiation Cost-effectiveness: Automated processing reduced manual analysis time Integration: All results accessible through a single online platform Actionable Results: Clear targets identified for ground follow-up Ongoing Support: Regular platform updates and new analytics as they become available

"TerraEye's rapid turnaround and comprehensive analysis helped us quickly focus our exploration efforts," said Chris Baldys. "The combination of automated processing and expert interpretation delivered insights that would have taken months to generate through traditional methods."

Next Steps

The results are already guiding the next phase of exploration at AX. As new satellite data becomes available, our automated systems will continue to update the analysis, providing ongoing support for the exploration program.

Looking Forward

This project exemplifies TerraEye's commitment to accelerating mineral exploration through advanced technology. Our combination of automated processing, machine learning, and geological expertise helps explorers:

  • Rapidly evaluate properties
  • Focus field programs on the highest-priority targets
  • Reduce exploration costs
  • Make better-informed decisions

For exploration companies seeking to leverage the latest in remote sensing technology, TerraEye offers a proven solution that delivers results in weeks rather than months.

Contact us today to learn how TerraEye can support your exploration program.



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