Based in Sudbury Ontario, Novaminex is focused on improving the pace of mineral deposit discovery and definition through the development of new hardware and software technologies.  The group was formed in 2014 to develop geophysical exploration systems and processing methods.  It has conceived, prototyped and tested complex geophysical systems for the detection and delineation of mineral deposits from boreholes, from the surface and from airborne platforms.   Innovations have been made in areas of sensor stabilization, airborne electromagnetic technology, borehole sensing systems, signal detection optimization and electrical safety resulting in 8 patents.   

Novaminex   in developing new hardware tools for electromagnetic detection of mineral deposits that can be deployed in boreholes, on the surface and, from the air via a drone-towed bird.  Our software products include the Provus EM modelling software which is capable of handling complex shapes and the AEM Workshop, a one-stop solution for the interpretation of AEM data for the purposes of identification, analysis and modelling of discrete conductors.

Through our geophysical consulting services mining and exploration companies can tap our experience in geophysical survey design, geophysical data processing, data interpretation and EM modelling.

Ben Polzer – President and Chief Scientist (PGO)

Ben obtained his MSc in 1986 at the University of Toronto under Gordon West.  In the 35 years working in the exploration industry Ben has worked both as an exploration geophysicist (Inco-Vale 1997 – 2007) and in the development of exploration technology.  Ben is the author or co-author of 8 patents covering innovations in sensor isolation systems, airborne antenna systems, borehole sensing systems and electrical safety.  He has experience in development of firmware, application software, data visualization, signal processing and geophysical exploration.  He is a specialist in borehole, surface and airborne electromagnetic sensing technologies and their applications to mining exploration.   He has been programming in C++ for 18 years.  He is a member of the APGO.

Rob Eso – Senior Research Geophysicist

Rob Eso worked under Doug Oldenburg for 5 years at the UBC on problems relating to the inversion of geophysical data.  He is an expert in inversion theory with experience in the inversion of potential field, IP/Resistivity and MT data sets.  Since 2014 he has been working for Novaminex on IP/Resistivity and MT systems and processing methods.  He is an experienced C++ and Matlab programmer.

John Golightly – Research Scientist

John Golightly graduated with an MSc. in Physics in 2008 and has worked as a research scientist since then.  Since 2014 he has been with Novaminex working on a variety of problems relating to instrumentation and geophysical data processing including design of sensor orientation and stabilization systems, mechanical simulation of airborne systems and natural field (AFMAG) data processing.  He programs in C++ and Matlab.

Yongxing Li – Research Geophysicist

Yongxing Li obtained his PhD in geophysics working on the modelling  and inversion of Radio Imaging data using COMSOL MultiPhysics.  He has six years of professional experience working both as an geophysicist for the China Aero Geophysical Survey & Remote Sensing Centre and for the last four years as a research geophysicist with Novaminex on problems including MT data processing and interpretation, EM data modelling, magnetic data visualization, and AFMAG data processing and modelling.  He programs in C++.

Thomas Bagley – Research Scientist

Thomas Bagley has a BSc in Geology and an MSc in Geophysics and is also an experienced C++ programmer.  He worked with Richard Smith at Laurentian University developing techniques for inverting airborne on-time resistive limit data using GPUs including the use of neural network approaches.  He is the lead programmer on the team developing the Provus EM modelling software. 

Sylvain Moreau – Technician

Sylvain is responsible for fabrication, calibration, testing and troubleshooting of geophysical instrumentation as well as providing logistical support for field surveys and Health and Safety.

Carl Laamanen – Technician

Carl is a geological technician with over 30 years of experience.  His responsibilities include testing of geophysical instrumentation, mechanical design and machining.