HySpex to supply State of Alaska with Core Logging System

HySpex is partnering with Telops, a manufacturer of FTIR hyperspectral cameras, to deliver a novel hyperspectral geologic core scanning system for the State of Alaska’s Geological Materials Center (GMC). HySpex is a brand of Norsk Elektro Optikk, AS, providing top-of-the-line hyperspectral imaging cameras for commercial, government, and research institutions. The core scanner will facilitate GMC’s objective to curate its collection of more than 500,000 ft of unique, contiguous rock cores and a wide array of additional samples, broaden access to materials to vitalize exploration and development of Alaska’s resources, and increase knowledge of Alaska’s geologic systems. Cataloging and digitalizing these samples is imperative for preserving the information they contain. Given the vastness of the collection, rapid, non-destructive documentation of samples is necessary.

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Selected for providing unrivalled datasets with high spectral quality, fidelity, and precision, HySpex Classic VNIR-1800 and SWIR-640 cameras will be integrated with HyperCam Mini MWIR and LWIR cameras from Telops, yielding data cubes with a combined spectral range of 400-12,500nm. A 3D profiler for surface modeling will allow for precise spatial co-registration between all sensors on the platform and a high resolution RGB camera will enable high precision, even in fine-grained core. The new hyperspectral core scanner covers an even greater wavelength range than the classical HySpex core scanner, facilitating the identification of a large suite of minerals, active across wavelength ranges from the VNIR and eSWIR, to the less common MWIR and LWIR. The Breeze Geo software from Prediktera was chosen for proficiency in efficient data acquisition, logging, and analysis. Mineralogic output is based on an expert system from the US Geological Survey, but Breeze Geo affords users the additional ability to adjust and adapt with new incoming knowledge from geochemistry, for example, and can evaluate in real-time if and where sampling for validation and interpretation purposes is advised.

The resulting mineralogic interpretation and logs can be exported in common formats to include in other modelling software such as IoGas, Imago, or Leapfrog, which makes it easy to integrate into existing workflows.

“At HySpex, delivering the best possible hyperspectral imagers has been our core mission since day one. This commitment was further strengthened in 2018 when Prediktera joined the NEO family, expanding our reach and expertise to deliver even more comprehensive solutions,” said CEO, Trond Løke. “Being selected for this contract allows us to further develop our existing core scanning platform with other high-quality instrument manufacturers, like Telops, to provide invaluable documentation of natural resources.”

The core scanning platform is optimized to handle tens-of-thousands of single to multi-row cores in plastic, cardboard, or wooden boxes, but can also handle drill chip boxes, loose samples, and rock mass. The HSI will generate high-resolution RGB sample images, high-density mineralogic spectral data cubes, and 3D laser profile datasets. All data storage will be locally hosted on GMC data clusters and all quality assurance and pre- and post-processing, including preliminary mineral and alteration maps, will occur in-house at the GMC. A significant portion of GMC’s project is dedicated to building an automated IT architecture to process, store, visualize, and make data publicly available. The data from HySpex’s core scanning system will be used by GMC to utilize emerging digitalization processes, which merge augmented and virtual reality with machine learning to provide collaborative multi-user visualization environments with immersive analytics. HySpex and Prediktera are members of the research consortium CASERM that integrates the hyperspectral technology and software and provides active interactions and developments with feedback from major mining companies on the handling and usability of both the software and the hardware. Making a system that is accessible, allows for non-expert user interaction and provides guidance to further the client’s goals is integral to the development. Contact us for more details on the full range core scanner, contact Norsk Elektro Optikk or HySpex Inc in the USA.

About Alaska Geological Materials Center

The Alaska Geologic Materials Center (GMC) connects the state's largest geologic collections to research, industry and education communities for the purposes of greater geologic understanding, increased awareness of economic opportunities, and to stimulate public interest and understanding in Alaska's geologic history. Their mission is to permanently archive, index, protect, and make available for public inspection, accessible geologic materials and related data to help advance exploration and knowledge of Alaska's natural resources. Visit to learn more about the GMC and their publicly available resources. You can also follow them on X or Facebook.

About Telops

Founded in 2000 and located in Quebec City, Canada, Telops designs and manufactures high-performance hyperspectral imaging systems and infrared cameras for defense, industrial, and academic research applications. Telops also offers R&D services for optical systems technology development in order to respond to the specific needs of its customers. To learn more about Telops and their products, visit https://www.telops.com/. Feel free to join them on social media on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or X pages.