W. R. (‘Bil’) Thuma
President
AGT Systems NA
Graduate geophysical engineer focused on mining exploration and the development of new slimline borehole logging systems, magnetosphere monitors and the use of induced polarization (IP) to identify metal sulphides in porphyry systems at depth. Transitioned to specialize in international marketing of geophysical and other remote sensing technologies in over 80 countries giving presentations on airborne survey methods in 11 countries including Russia, India, USA, China, and Iran. Participated on expeditions to locate lost historical aircraft and to date has been involved in successfully finding 10 using various ground and marine geophysical methods including most recently the use of autonomous underwater vehicles.
Brief Notes on: The Economics and Benefits of Mid-sized Airborne Geophysical Survey Contractors and the Operation of and Advances in Using Geophysical Drones.
There is no doubt that one of the first and most important steps in exploration for new mineral resources should be to conduct airborne geophysical surveys which aid in geological mapping of the subsurface and even detection of potential economic mineral deposits. But what is the most economical and beneficial approach, contractors or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles AKA drones? This talk will discuss some of the critical points of both approaches from real-world experience.