What are the key factors and criteria for selecting a suitable mineral exploration software and platform?

Making sure your software can handle different data types and formats is key to a successful mineral exploration project. You need a platform that can easily work with the data you gather—whether it’s from geophysical, geochemical, or remote sensing methods—and manage formats like CSV, Excel, or Shapefiles without any hassle. It’s also important that the software integrates well with the other tools you rely on, like GIS or 3D modelling software, so that everything flows smoothly from data collection to analysis and visualisation. This makes the whole process more efficient and accurate.

A lot of software vendors say they can do this but I’ve first hand seen they really can’t. This is mostly across the board from custom systems built by consultants or even surprising commercially available software!! Most software say they’ve got APIs or integrations but they do not. This interoperability not only simplifies data management and seamless flow of data between the hands of your geoscience teams, drilling teams and management. This enables collaboration, and expedites the decision-making process. Make sure you are able to see all the export capabilities and view their api model. Most software vendors have this available as documentation or will be able to guide you through the process.

Never underestimate the real value of human-centred design in the software. Good UI/UX is a key catalyst to successful adoption

Selecting suitable mineral exploration software is crucial for successful projects. Key factors include: 1. Ability to handle various data types (drilling, geophysical, geochemical, geological). 2. Intuitive interface and ease of use. 3. Comprehensive tools for modeling, visualization, and analysis. 4. Works well with other software and hardware. 5. Can handle large datasets and complex projects. 6. Availability of technical support and training resources. 7. Consideration of budget, including initial cost and ongoing fees. 8. Proven track record and positive user feedback.

- Ensure the software supports various data formats such as GIS, geological, and geophysical data for comprehensive analysis and integration. - Look for seamless integration capabilities with existing databases and systems to enhance data interoperability.

When selecting software for a mineral exploration project, it's important to make sure it can handle everything you need, from data quality control and mapping to geostatistics and resource estimation. At the same time, it should be easy to use, with good documentation, tutorials, and support to help you along the way. You also want to check that it works well with your hardware and operating system, and that it runs smoothly without slowing you down. In the end, it’s about finding a tool that’s both powerful and easy to work with.

I hear this all the time, the demos were good but then when we put it into the hands of our teams it didn’t work. The ideal software should strike a balance between robust functionality and ease of use. A platform that requires minimal training to navigate will encourage user adoption and ultimately lead to better utilisation of the software's capabilities - and make the work better for your teams! So how do you do you make sure you ticked this box? Make sure you do multiple demos with all the different user types in your organisation. Ultimately it is the ops teams (and contractors) that are going to be using it day to day and their input is going to be key to avoid a disastrous implementation.

- Prioritize software with advanced features like 3D modeling, drill hole planning, and geochemical analysis for comprehensive exploration. - User-friendly interfaces and intuitive workflows are essential to improve operational efficiency and reduce the learning curve for the exploration team.

When choosing software for your mineral exploration project, it's crucial to think about how well it can be customised and scaled. You need a platform that can be tailored to fit your specific workflow and preferences, but also one that can grow or shrink as your project evolves. This flexibility ensures the software stays relevant, whether your project expands or contracts, and can adapt to new technologies in the field. Ultimately, scalability and customisation make sure your tools keep pace with both your needs and the industry's advancements.

Be aware of software vendors that promise customisation but in reality it’s actually custom development. If the software you’re investigating seems like it needs custom development dig deeper. If it’s in their near term product roadmap request to see if they might give you a sneak peek. Most of the problems with mining software is that vendors have fallen into the trap of custom development for each and every customer instead of looking at a solution industry wide. Whilst it might be tempting to go down the path of custom dev it might be a slippery slope that eventually lead to the features being built don’t scale with your org, or the industry.

Most modern software these days have user permission models that let you tighten security but also allow SSO. This in addition to any security accreditation is something to look for along with an understanding of how and where they store the data. Ask for their different levels of SLAs for reliability and gurantees

The total cost of ownership extends beyond the subscription fee. You’re obviously choosing to take the plunge into a commercial software instead of building your own because you see the value It encompasses the value derived from enhanced efficiency, accuracy in data analysis, and the ability to deploy now instead of year later. It’s important to note the ongoing maintenance of the platform, their customer support capabilities, onboarding and implementation training programs, professional services and ongoing development. And then most importantly time to full implementation! That and Transparent pricing, coupled with flexible usage based licensing options, ensures that your investment aligns with fluctuating seasonal project needs.

In the mineral exploration field, several software and information-service providers often liberally employ the term "AI" to add allure to their products. However, it's crucial for these companies to clearly articulate how AI is specifically employed to improve their solutions, simplifying the explanation for users within the industry. For instance, within RadiXplore, AI facilitates the automation of repetitive tasks, such as reading, analysis and understanding exploration reports, thereby saving time and resources for mineral exploration teams. This streamlining of operations through AI-driven tools enhances the efficiency and accuracy of exploration efforts, ultimately leading to more informed decision-making in the minerals industry.