Velmont will use cutting-edge space technology from Fleet Space Technologies to further strengthen its gold exploration efforts in South Africa. The company recently began applying advanced technologies to its gold projects in South Africa to improve exploration efficiency and accelerate resource discovery.
This project has been a multi-year effort, and Velmont plans to enhance exploration by deploying 3D underground imaging technology. The main goal of the project is to use Fleet Space's ExoSphere solution to explore new undiscovered resources near gold mines.
Fleet Space Technologies co-founder and CEO Flavia Tata Nardini said ExoSphere’s integration of satellite connectivity, 3D multiphysics and artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to significantly improve exploration efficiency and bring more sustainable results to the mining industry.
She said: “We are very proud to deploy ExoSphere technology in South Africa to help Velmont further its data-driven exploration and achieve more sustainable goals.”
The mines in South Africa have complex terrain, large altitude changes, extreme seasonal climate, and ecological and environmental challenges, which make exploration extremely difficult. To meet these challenges, Velmont chose to use ExoSphere technology, which has been successful in many global mining areas.
Since March 2025, Velmont has begun to apply the ExoSphere system in its South African gold mine project, using its smart seismic sensors (Geodes) to provide low-impact and fast 3D underground imaging technology. ExoSphere provides exploration teams with immediate actionable insights, significantly improves work efficiency, and reduces the negative impact of traditional exploration methods on the environment.
In addition, Velmont's South African mine has also actively adopted other innovative technologies, including tailings filtration technology, which recycles more than 86% of water resources and replaces traditional tailings storage facilities, improving the safety and environmental friendliness of the mine.
Velmont also plans to build a solar power plant at the mine, which is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 10,000 tons per year, which not only helps sustainable development, but also provides a more environmentally friendly production model for future mining.