SmartCloud, introduced in 2021, centralizes, encrypts and syncs data recorded by Stockholm Precision Tools to deliver traceability and facilitate collaboration across teams.SUPPLIED
Precision is critical in drilling technology, where the exact placement, depth and angle of mining downholes plays a significant role in safety, operational efficiency and profitability. It’s something that Stockholm Precision Tools (SPT) is known for as the industry leader in accurate and reliable directional survey instruments for 30 years.
Safeguarding the data that results is equally important, ensuring it can’t be mishandled or tampered with. This is also a specialty of SPT, with its SmartCloud digital platform for centralizing and managing geological information. The technology provides a secure data chain of custody and traceability throughout the mineral exploration process.
“It’s no longer just about collecting precise data but about delivering it untouched and audit-ready to decision-makers,” says Eric Estrada, SPT’s global marketing director.
SPT is now taking its technology one step further by moving toward an open ecosystem for its platform, he says, which the company plans to announce at the Prospector & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) annual meeting in Toronto as part of the celebration of its 30th anniversary.
“This is the end of data silos,” Mr. Estrada says.
He says allowing data to be synchronized is a key need for the mining industry and a critical concern for customers of SPT, which was founded in northern Sweden and today is headquartered in Spain, with a presence in more than 50 countries including Canada.
Drilling data kept in editable files stored on local drives, in emails or on USB drives breaks the chain of custody, he explains, allowing for changes and complicating traceability. “When data is not centralized or secured, control is lost, analysis becomes harder, tasks are duplicated and decisions are made based on information that may be incomplete or altered.”
SmartCloud, introduced in 2021, centralizes, encrypts and syncs data recorded by SPT tools, logging every action and securing each data point. It delivers full traceability and instant collaboration across teams, Mr. Estrada points out. “You can view and manage your data from anywhere, at any time.”
Eric Estrada“ When data is not centralized or secured, control is lost, analysis becomes harder, tasks are duplicated and decisions are made based on information that may be incomplete or altered.
Global Marketing Director, Stockholm Precision Tools
The company is now working to make its platform accessible to organizations with different sizes and budgets. “This is not just for the bigger mining companies in the world, but junior exploration firms can reach out and use this technology,” he says.
At PDAC the company plans to showcase its evolving ecosystem as “the most interoperable solution out there, so it’s very easy to get in and very easy to get out,” he says. This is through a new Application Programming Interface (API) integration “that will allow any company to connect with whatever platform they want to manage their data,” he says. “We can all be compatible, instead of just making one rigid solution.”
This gives drillers or geologists access to their data on the SPT platform from any sort of platform that is API compatible, he says. “We are providing the industry with a bridge, so they can adopt all of these new solutions sooner.”
The SmartCloud API integration will allow for connections with platforms like CorePlan and other partners, he says, allowing exploration companies to automate their workflows, eliminate manual errors and accelerate exploration decisions.
SPT also has a new digital core-orientation system, SmartCore, that introduces new functionality to simplify and speed up the core-marking process. “It tells you the story of what is happening in the ground,” Mr. Estrada says, which helps reduce the time that geologists spend marking the core while preserving critical structural information for the core-logging team.
The move toward such tools and an open ecosystem combines SPT’s rugged reliability with modern digital connectivity, he says. This demonstrates that the company is not just an instrument manufacturer but a strategic partner for mining companies looking to de-risk their exploration efforts through auditable, high-quality data.
“We are delivering this open-door,” Mr. Estrada adds. “If you’ve got an open API and you’re focused on exploration, we can absolutely integrate our solutions with your platform.”
Advertising feature produced by Randall Anthony Communications with the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.