TECHNOLOGY

GeologicAI raises C$20M to fund robot geologist fleet

Calgary-based GeologicAI secured the next-stage seed money from Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV), an innovation accelerator.

GeologicAI secured the next-stage seed money from Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Photo:  watchara_tongnoi

GeologicAI secured the next-stage seed money from Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Photo: watchara_tongnoi

The Canadian rock analytics firm plans to use the money to advance the development and global scaling of its fleet of AI-powered robot geologists.

The mechanical mineralogists were designed "to accelerate resource exploration and extraction to meet our planet's increasing demand for critical minerals," the company said.

GeologicAI's core scanning robot utilises a combination of high-resolution imaging, XRF and hyperspectral data to analyse rock samples.

Additionally, the company's digital rock viewing and analysis software offers geologists unfettered instant access to high-resolution, AI-enhanced digital rock twins.

"Without sufficient quantities of key minerals like copper, nickel, cobalt, and lithium, the transition to a clean energy economy simply cannot happen," said Carmichael Roberts, business lead at Breakthrough Energy Ventures. "GeologicAI's multi-sensor core scanning robots and AI-assisted analysis are a powerful combination, and we believe their technology will significantly accelerate key mineral discovery and recovery."

Grant Sanden, chief executive at GeologicAI, also offered his thoughts on the cash infusion.

"GeologicAI is already working with some of the world's leading mining and exploration companies and is excited to leverage the funding to rapidly establish a global footprint," he said. "Our customers recognise the value of our AI-enhanced geological data, which optimises both discovery and development. We're delighted to have BEV onboard as we globalise this revolutionary technology."

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