Teck Cominco improves data flow and optimizes performance with exploration information management solution

"Having worked with Geosoft for over 15 years, we had confidence in their ability to deliver a global solution. The interoperability of all our exploration software platforms is absolutely critical, and ESRI’s ArcGIS system together with Geosoft’s DAP data server technology, Target and Oasis montaj applications, gives us everything we need within one solution."
Bob Holroyd, Director, Global Exploration Technology Group, Teck Cominco

Customer:	Teck Cominco Limited Vancouver, Canada Mining Exploration
Country:
Industry:
Solution:	Exploration Information Management Solution
Technology:	Geosoft DAP Server, ESRI ArcGIS, Geosoft Oasis montaj, Target and Target for ArcGIS earth mapping software, Custom Metadata Management Toolset

Summary

Within mining exploration, millions of dollars are spent on geophysical surveys, field mapping and drilling to support expanding projects. Much of this critical data, however, is still being used for short-term projects only, leaving its true value as a corporate resource unexplored. As a growing, world-leading mining and metals company, Teck Cominco saw an opportunity to increase data value and optimize performance through a new, global solution for exploration technology and information management.

Business Need:
Teck Cominco had vast amounts of data resources and was experiencing significant growth in both the number and size of exploration projects, with more drills than the company had ever had before on any one project. However, the company had no strategy or centralized system to efficiently share exploration data with all its offices and geoscientists worldwide. Teck Cominco needed an exploration information management solution that would improve data flow to their global teams of geoscientists, and provide faster, better ways to process immediate prospects and develop opportunities for the future.

Geosoft Solution:
Teck Cominco worked with Geosoft Global Solutions Group to develop an Exploration IT Strategy which included the design and implementation of an Exploration Information Management Solution. As part of their solution, Teck Cominco deployed a standard exploration technology platform that provides the ability to capture, archive, deliver, and ensure effective use of data across the entire organization. The platform is comprised of Geosoft’s DAP Server technology, for data archiving and delivery, a custom metadata management solution and an integrated family of earth mapping applications that includes ESRI ArcGIS, Geosoft Oasis montaj, Target and Target for ArcGIS software.

Results:
In the short term, Teck Cominco has achieved significant efficiencies and time savings in sourcing exploration data. Their geoscientists are already saving hours, even days, by going directly to the Geosoft DAP Server – instead of several different sources – to retrieve data. Efficiencies and opportunities stem from having trusted data at everyone’s fingertips.

In the longer term, the company has no doubt that this global solution will have an impact on their business. The potential benefits of having a global solution that allows data to flow seamlessly throughout the company’s regional offices are limitless. Decisions about whether to invest more in a project or leave it to rest will come much more easily. Projects in one corner of the world will benefit from tapping into data collected on comparable projects elsewhere. Geopolitical boundaries – once an obstacle to file sharing in geologically similar terrains like Chile and Argentina – will dissolve. The greater their ability to quickly and efficiently find and integrate that data, the better their potential for discovery success.

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