Unpredictable staffing needs, limited facilities, and irregular project schedules are constant challenges in the mining and exploration industry. Whether in early-stage exploration projects or operating mines, managers are under pressure to deliver high-quality data quickly, efficiently—and without exceeding a complex budget.
One of the biggest challenges lies in understanding the true cost of geological work and sample processing. Professionals struggle to calculate the real cost per meter, as it’s difficult to factor in everything: geologists, logistics, forklift use, energy, supervision, storage, etc., the list is long. Budgeting becomes uncertain.
Seasonal spikes add further pressure. When activity ramps up, companies need short-term capacity, but hiring staff temporarily can be costly and inefficient. And once the rush is over, what happens to the extra people?
At the same time, investing in dedicated facilities for logging and storage is a major commitment. What’s the return? And how fast can it be recouped? Even something as basic as monthly pallet storage often lacks cost visibility.
PalsaCenters Adapt to a Variety of Needs
Finland-based geoservices company Palsatech offers a solution: The company’s PalsaCenters provide comprehensive services for the transportation, preparation, and storage of geological samples.
“In our PalsaCenters, the customer only pays for a unit price for sample preparation (€/m) and a unit price for sample storage (€/pallet/mo.). This way they can calculate an exact price for the project without worrying about the risks regarding the budget and fluctuating staff needs”, Palsatech Global CEO Riku Aho says.
PalsaCenters serve both major international mining companies with high sample volumes and smaller exploration teams with evolving needs. Services are delivered with solid geological expertise and flexibility. The staff can handle both specialised tasks and large sample volumes—making the model efficient and cost-effective.
“And PalsaCenter customers pay only for the services they need, and only for as long as they need them”, Aho says.
Customers can also rent modern research and sample processing facilities for their own teams. Four centres in Finland, Sweden and Serbia provide efficient service across Northern Europe and the Balkans.
Time is the most valuable resource in the industry. In PalsaCenters, customer samples are processed promptly, eliminating the risk of project delays. The quality assurance and control of the services is systematic and meets international standards.
“We understand how critical our work is to the customer’s process, and we are fully committed to delivering it with excellence”, Aho says.
In drill core management, Palsatech’s model is still relatively new, but according to Aho, it can significantly reduce costs and timelines, while also removing uncertainties and schedule-related risks.
“It’s a forward-looking way to manage projects more efficiently”, Aho says.
Flexible Help during Seasonal Spikes
The mining project Sokli is searching for rare earth elements in Savukoski, Eastern Lapland. There, the company manages one of the largest carbonatite deposits in the world.
The company has utilized the sample processing and storage services of the PalsaCenter in Sodankylä during peak periods, when there has been more work than their own staff could handle. Thanks to Palsatech, data collection hasn’t been delayed even during the seasonal spikes.
According to Chief Geologist Mikko Numminen, Palsatech’s fixed pricing makes project planning easier and reduces stress: it is completely clear what the outsourced service will cost, and the implementation can be confidently left to Palsatech.
Palsatech’s per-metre pricing has also given Numminen a clearer insight into the overall costs of logging and prompted him to reflect on the efficiency of their own processes.
Numminen appreciates that Sokli has been able to work with the same Palsatech staff repeatedly. He finds communication with Palsatech smooth, the services flexible, and the operations responsible.
“Palsatech has been in this business for a long time. Their processes are well refined, and they have a staff of skilled professionals”, Numminen says.
A Reliable Partner in Exploration
The mining and exploration company First Quantum Minerals (FQM) have used Palsatech’s services for five years already. The company has run early-stage nickel and copper exploration projects in Eastern Lapland and Northern Finland.
According to District Geologist Chris Hunter, FQM has a small team of experts in the area. Over the years, they have used Palsatech’s field crews, geological support and the PalsaCenter facilities and staff in Sodankylä.
Hunter says that the PalsaCenter’s private hubs and storage facilities have met their needs perfectly. With the help of Palsatech’s technicians, FQM’s own geologists can focus on the actual geology and exploration.
“Setting up your own warehouse and hiring your own team for what might only be a twelve to eighteen-month program is really time consuming and potentially expensive”, Hunter says.
He stresses that the content of Palsatech’s services is very clear upfront, and problems are always fixed. He admires Palsatech’s ability to respond to changing needs.
In Hunter’s view, it is important that Palsatech shares the same company values as FQM, such as high standards of health and safety. He thinks that Palsatech helps FQM to make a positive difference locally in an industry, where it is very hard to plan for the long term.
“We have used the same Palsatech people on several jobs over several seasons. They have almost become extended members of our own team”, Hunter says.
