Blair Walker wins contract for Largest Helicopter-Borne Magnetometer Survey

GENERAL EXPLORATION

In view of the number of geophysical survey aircraft accidents that persisted in 1995 and 1996, High-Sense Geophysics introduced the SARNAV (Search And Rescue / Navigation) system. SARNAV is a GPS equipped navigation computer that is maintained at the base of operations. Prior to take off, the SARNAV system is updated with the proposed flight plan for the survey area; should the survey aircraft not return to the base of operations at its scheduled time, the SARNAV system in minutes can be "buttoned" into a search and rescue aircraft, and automatically guide the rescue team to the survey area; upon arriving at the survey area, the survey lines can be re-traced in search of missing aircraft . In the event of an accident, SARNAV will dramatically reduce the time required to locate the accident site.

SARNAV is now a component in each of High-Sense's twelve (12) airborne geophysical systems and can be operated from any fixed or rotary wing search and rescue aircraft.

In addition to augmenting all High-Sense field systems with the SARNAV system , High-Sense has implemented one of the most comprehensive Search and Rescue Emergency Response and Health, Environment and Safety plans, in the airborne geophysical survey industry. This compliments the company's safety culture.

High-Sense Geophysics of Toronto reported another year of record growth and activity worldwide. The company has added to its fleet of fixed-wing aircraft, the twin turbine powered Piper Cheyenne, an additional Piper Navajo, and a Cessna 207 aircraft, bringing the total number of fixed-wing platforms operated by the company to seven (7). Three (3) of the seven (7) fixed-wing airborne magnetic / radiometric survey systems can be immediately converted into rotary-wing systems. The company also operates an additional two (2) dedicated rotary-wing magnetic / radiometric survey platforms, and three (3) HEM systems.

CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS

Throughout 1996, High-Sense undertook survey projects throughout southern and central Africa, Europe and North and South America. By the end of 1996, it High-Sense will have flown over 500,000 line kilometres of combined magnetic, radiometric and electromagnetic surveys during the twelve month period.

To better serve High-Sense's clients in the Mercosur countries, the company has recently opened High-Sense Geofísica S.A., in Rio de Janeiro.

Also in 1996, the company announced the development of an international strategic alliance with Val d’Or SAGAX Inc. Together, these companies offer a full range of airborne and ground geophysical surveys and services to the mining, petroleum, groundwater and geotechnical markets throughout the world. This alliance offers natural resource exploration groups direct access to technical and commercial support from over 14 offices throughout the world including Rio de Janeiro, Harare, Lima, La Paz, Marrakech, Bamako, Accra, Ouagadougou, Accra and Sofia, as well as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Val d’Or in Canada.

AIRBORNE SURVEYING

Data Acquisition and Processing

Aeromagnetic

In 1996, High-Sense completed perhaps the largest ever, high definition helicopter borne magnetic survey of its kind, in the Canadian northwest territories. An area of nearly 4,000 square kilometres was surveyed utilizing two rotary-wing platforms in July and August, with a traverse line spacing of only 75 metres; the High-Sense real-time DGPS navigation system provided navigation control for the survey.

Also, in 1996, High-Sense undertook a number of projects that attended to petroleum exploration targets, culminating with a regional airborne magnetic project in the Sultanate of Oman.

Airborne Electromagnetic

High-Sense Geophysics introduced in 1996 EM data processing software allowing their in field personnel to generate processed EM profile maps, at the base of operations. Second and third HEM systems were added to High-Sense's flying capacity in 1996.

Airborne Radiometric

In response to the continuing demand for radiometric surveys worldwide, High-Sense completed a program to upgrade all of their airborne geophysical survey systems, to include the KS16 2048 channel spectrometer system, developed by High-Sense. The KS16 spectrometer incorporates a number of features not found in traditional systems, including an automatic startup, the retention of the latest stabilization peak locations through power down and power up, no conventional dead time, and 2048 channel display and recording.

Like the popular MiniMag^® airborne magnetometer and data acquisition system developed by High-Sense, the KS-16 is also a self monitoring system and does not require an additional in aircraft operator, reducing the overall payload required for airborne radiometric prospecting, which by design, must improve the overall safety of the operation.

The company also reported the sale of a complete airborne dual magnetometer system to M.I.M Exploration Pty. Ltd. of Australia, featuring the MiniMag^® airborne magnetometer and data acquisition system.

High-Sense also completed in 1996 a airborne radiometric reprocessing project for the Geological of Namibia. The data for the project were compiled from many airborne surveys flown following the late 1960's.

Using the back-calibration technique developed by High-Sense, the radiometric data from surveys of different specifications and contractors were standardized, yielding a single data set with increased usability for mineral exploration and geological interpretation.