Quality Data Begins With In-Field Collection: Zonge International

Q: How would you describe Zonge International’s core value proposition? 

A: For over 50 years, Zonge International has manufactured geophysical exploration equipment for the mining industry, among other sectors like groundwater, engineering, and, in some cases, oil and gas in the United States. We not only manufacture equipment, but we also offer geophysical exploration services for our clients.

Our comprehensive service includes everything from equipment manufacturing and software design for data acquisition to data processing, and we also execute field projects. Our experience allows us to customize our equipment and arrangements to meet the client's needs.

For example, if a client needs a non-conventional exploration method, we can adapt to that study. We can make adjustments in data acquisition and processing, as well as in the design of the equipment itself. We believe that this is the strength of our company and what has kept us in the market for so long.

Q: What is the tangible benefit for a mining company that uses your technology?
A: The continuous advancement of our technology is fundamental for staying competitive, especially as the challenges increase. These challenges require faster data acquisition, smaller equipment, and higher data quality. The quality of the information we generate is a significant part of our success.

Data quality, starting from its in-field capture, is fundamental for maintaining operations and continuing as a company in this market. If we offer quality data, that quality will transform into client reliability, which will in turn lead to a long-term relationship. We believe this is what keeps us in the market.

The company is already well-known. I am sometimes surprised when I travel to places like Peru or Chile and realize that we do not have to introduce our name to the mining industry because people already know us. This is very satisfying and is thanks to our focus on quality.

Quality is fundamental, and it begins in the field. If you do not capture data correctly, you cannot fix it later with a computer. The data must be correct from its origin, and that is our philosophy. Quality data is important even amid technological evolution, such as artificial intelligence (AI) applications. If you do not have a qualified person to capture high-quality data, then no matter how much AI you use, it will not function properly, at least not in this industry. I agree that technology is fundamental for development, and it is important to find a balance; both complement each other.

Q: Beyond traditional mining, in which emerging sectors or applications are you seeing new demand for your services?

A: We have worked on oil and gas projects in the United States. While we have been invited to participate in bids in Mexico, we have found it complicated to enter the market. The oil and gas industry is cyclical, much like the mining sector, with periods of high demand followed by quieter periods. While many companies offer services similar to ours for PEMEX, the services are diversified, and our expertise is primarily in terrestrial, not marine, geochemistry.

We are now beginning to enter the market in Mexico by adapting to current trends. We are providing services with drones to perform measurements that were previously done on foot. We are also developing new drone-based devices and sensors to meet the industry's evolving needs.

Q: How is Zonge International's dual business model of building advanced instruments and providing field services a competitive differentiator in the market? 

A: Having an extensive range of products and services, including equipment manufacturing, software development, and exploration services, allows us to have cross-department feedback. This gives us the advantage that, if a challenge arises during a project, we can immediately communicate with our manufacturing department. This allows us to resolve the vast majority of problems in the field without the need to send equipment back to the office for review.

We also believe in the importance of collaborating with external professionals, researchers, and large companies. With some of these companies, we work on research-style projects where we apply our technology. If we need to make modifications to our equipment or software, we do so. This is how we improve our technology, field practices, and procedures. We exchange suggestions and methodologies with these partners, which is fundamental for our company.

The future of our technology is focused on acquiring even higher-quality data and a greater number of samples in less time. We are also working on making our equipment lighter. For example, our portable equipment used to weigh 20kg to 30kg, but it has now been reduced to 10kg to 15kg. As technology and our suppliers advance, we must also advance with them to remain competitive in the market.

Q: With the new administration's moratorium on new mining concessions, what is the role of advanced geophysical technology in helping companies make the most of their existing concessions?
A: Due to recent legal changes, concession periods for new projects are shorter. This means that exploration periods must also be reduced. A project that may have taken 10 years to develop into a mine now has to be evaluated in half the time. This change affects all evaluation tools, including drilling and geochemistry.

Geophysics, however, provides a key advantage. It is a tool for the rapid regional evaluation of a project. With geophysics, you can completely cover a large project in a short period and immediately define specific, high-potential zones on which to focus. This is how geophysics can help companies operate more effectively under the new legal regulations.

When integrated with geology and geochemistry, geophysics can help optimize resources. You can plan your drilling with greater information and more certainty. This is especially useful for new concessions where there is little initial information, as geophysics provides a quick way to evaluate the area and define specific zones for further exploration.

Q: What are the main long-term trends and technological shifts that you see shaping the future of mineral exploration in Mexico?

A: Technology, as in all sectors, advances quickly in the mining industry. This means that Zonge must constantly advance its technology to avoid obsolescence, especially since the technology of our electronic suppliers is also advancing. We also have to improve our services to ensure that our clients continue to work with us.

I see several trends emerging. The first is an improvement in data quality, acquisition, and the number of samples for terrestrial equipment. I also see the greater use of drones, which began in 2020. The trend is for drones to be incorporated into other techniques we manage, such as magnetotellurics and electromagnetic systems. Drones facilitate the work and are more efficient than humans, especially in difficult topographical or weather conditions. Another trend is the advancement of data inversion for magnetotellurics and induced polarization.

Q: What are Zonge International’s plans to participate in these technological trends?

A: Our long-term projects have always focused on technology, including the development of new, more efficient equipment, sensors, and transmitters. For our software, our goal is to handle more information and to develop more precise data inversion software that can manage a greater quantity of data.

In business development, we collaborate with different companies, researchers, and consultants. We also have expansion plans and have been visiting South America to expand our operations there. We have already completed several projects outside of the United States, Mexico, and Canada, in Colombia, Nicaragua, Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa. Our primary goals are to continue advancing our technology and to expand our company to other countries.

 

Zonge International is a geophysical company founded in 1972. It manufactures advanced geophysical equipment and provides field services and consulting. Primarily known for its work in mineral exploration, the company also serves the geothermal and environmental sectors.