Spectrem Air | 2025 End-of-Year Message
From Louis Polome, CEO
There’s an Aesop fable I’ve always appreciated – the one about the boar sharpening its tusks on a calm and lazy summer afternoon. When questioned, the boar simply said, “When the moment comes, it will be too late to prepare.”
In many ways, 2025 has been that kind of year for Spectrem Air. The industry slowed, markets hesitated, and the global environment felt uncertain. But that breathing room created an unexpected opportunity: time to modernise, time to catch up, and time to sharpen our tools for what comes next. And that work has already begun to pay off.
A YEAR OF MODERNISATION
Much of our energy this year went into upgrading the technology and systems that sit at the heart of our work. These aren’t changes you see at first glance, but they’re the kind that fundamentally strengthen a business.
We have moved to more modern data-processing systems, improved the way we stack and process our data and, together with hardware upgrades, allow us to provide our clients with additional and improved data parameters useful to derive their own interpretations. With this additional data, and improved noise levels, our inhouse inversion models are now producing improved detail.
It’s not just about hardware anymore. It’s about being able to offer deeper insights through high-quality geological information that helps clients make better decisions. This year allowed us to build that foundation properly.
On the hardware side, we also strengthened our acquisition capabilities, reducing noise, improving our signal-to-noise ratios, and ensuring our aircraft remains in excellent condition. The combination of modern systems and upgraded equipment means we can now offer a stronger, clearer product than ever before.
A MAJOR CONTRACT IN SAUDI ARABIA
One of the most exciting developments this year was being awarded a three-season survey in Saudi Arabia with Ma’aden Minerals, one of the top mining companies in the world and a key player in the region’s growing focus on mineral exploration.
For the next three years, we’ll fly during their winter seasons, from October to April of the following year, and we’ll have Spectrem Air staff on site to handle all data processing within the country.
One of the benefits of this seasonal contract is that it will still allow Spectrem to service our existing client base.
We’ll be partnering with Saudi Geophysical, as well as Bell Geospace, who collect complementary datasets. It’s a strong collaboration and one that secures a substantial portion of our workload for the foreseeable future.
Saudi Arabia’s mineral potential has been overshadowed by oil and gas for decades. Now, with their push toward diversification, this is the moment of discovery—and an exciting time for us to be involved in its Vision 2030 Strategy.
UNDERSTANDING THE MARKET
The broader market, however, continues to face headwinds. Geopolitical instability, tariff pressures, and economic uncertainty have made many companies more cautious.
We’re seeing a shift toward safer jurisdictions like Canada and Australia, and the expected rush into East and West Africa hasn’t materialised despite high gold prices.
But there is still strong demand in places like Zambia, Angola, and the DRC. These countries remain important for Spectrem Air because of the commodities they offer and the commitment from our blue-chip clients who continue to explore there. Over the next decade, supply constraints are expected across many minerals, so the work will continue – though politics will undoubtedly influence the pace.
STRENGTHENING THE TEAM
As part of preparing for the work ahead, we expanded our team this year. We welcomed Aldo Vos into our research and development unit, and Malaika Motsoai, who joined us as a geophysicist.
Both bring valuable expertise, and their presence will be critical as we take on more complex processing and on-site delivery needs, especially in Saudi Arabia.
LOOKING AHEAD
If I look back at 2025, I see a year of preparation. Quiet, steady, and necessary. We sharpened our tools, strengthened our systems, and positioned ourselves for growth at a time when many in the industry were forced to pause.
As we move into 2026, we do so with a modernised technical foundation, an important multi-year international contract, a growing team, and a clear sense of direction.
Thank you to our clients, partners, and everyone at Spectrem Air for your contribution during a demanding year. The work we’ve done has put us in a strong position, and I’m confident that the year ahead will give us the opportunity to put all of it to work.
I wish you all a happy holiday season and all the best for 2026!
Louis Polome
CEO, Spectrem Air