On a mission to deliver excellence in drilling with zero harm to people and the environment, GEOPS provides leading solutions for mine sites across Europe. Vasil Andreev, Chairman, Founder, and COO, discusses the company’s dedication to safety, sustainability, and continuous innovation.
DRILLING TO THE CORE
Having undergone significant transformation in recent years, the European mining landscape has witnessed the demand for critical minerals and metals grow, which has led to increased interest in exploration and exploitation opportunities in the region.
However, challenges such as strict regulatory frameworks, concerns surrounding the environment, and lengthy permitting processes have presented considerable obstacles that companies operating in the space must overcome.
Labour shortages have also emerged, with younger generations lacking interest in a mining career – particularly when it comes to drilling.
GEOPS, a leading provider of advanced drilling solutions for the mining, exploration, and geological industries, is therefore actively working to empower the European mining environment and train future drillers and experts in the field.
“We believe that our people are a key factor in the sustainable development of both the company and the industry as a whole,” introduces Vasil Andreev, Chairman, Founder, and COO.
The advent of digitalisation and automation, meanwhile, together with an increased awareness of sustainability, have seen innovations for recycling mine waste and reducing carbon emissions become key to maintaining a competitive edge.
“In this context, GEOPS takes a proactive role in implementing advanced drilling technologies and improving the efficiency of our mining operations,” he prides.
STATE-OF-THE-ART SOLUTIONS
Headquartered in Asenovgrad, Bulgaria, GEOPS provides first-class exploration and production drilling services across Europe.
“Our expertise spans core, directional, percussive, and rotary drilling, covering the full spectrum from early-stage exploration to resource definition and production support,” Andreev informs.
Operating in both surface and underground environments, the company’s state-of-the-art solutions ensure adaptability to diverse geological and extreme weather conditions.
Beyond drilling, a key pillar of GEOPS is the in-house production of drilling machinery, as well as various other tools necessary for efficient and safe drilling operations.
“We are very proud of our engineering team, who consistently demonstrate their strong creativity when it comes to the production of drilling equipment,” he smiles.
With a diverse client base that includes major global mining corporations, junior exploration companies, and industrial partners, each in search of reliable and high-quality solutions, GEOPS cultivates a dedicated approach and seeks to consistently deliver on its promises.
“We are extremely committed to maintaining strategic partnerships with our long-term clients and suppliers, which enables us to grow steadily and continue our business,” Andreev outlines.
Long-standing relationships with customers and suppliers, some of which have lasted more than 20 years, are key to GEOPS’ ongoing stability and have cultivated a high level of mutual trust.
Proud to be part of an international community of suppliers, GEOPS leverages this network to adapt to different markets, react efficiently, and promptly address the daily operational needs of clients across Europe.
“Partnerships allow us to quickly implement new technologies and maintain a high level of service,” he adds.
BALKAN BORN AND BRED
Originating in the Balkans, GEOPS has celebrated some of its greatest business achievements in the region.
“We have been active in the Balkans for 20 years, and we can proudly say that GEOPS has made a significant contribution to the discovery of some of the world’s top mineral and metal deposits here,” Andreev shares.
The Čukaru Peki project in Bor, Serbia, for example, houses an incredible copper and gold deposit that the company is proud to be a part of, having successfully led the drilling programme since the site was discovered in 2012.
With over 180,000 metres drilled so far, it is hoped that the completion of the project might return the region to its former mining glory.
Elsewhere, GEOPS has been a key player in the development of the Jadar lithium project in Northwest Serbia, where a unique deposit of jadarite – a new lithium sodium borosilicate mineral – was recently discovered.
With lithium being a key component in the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, Jadar has become crucial to European battery manufacturing and the global transition to green energy.
Along with its many years of industry experience in the region, GEOPS’ strength lies in both its people and its ability to innovate – which it considers to be its strongest assets.
“Compared to other companies, GEOPS stands out for its innovative technology and constant investment in advanced drilling equipment and automation,” he divulges.
Flexibility, meanwhile, is another stand-out characteristic for GEOPS, whose ability to rapidly adapt to various markets, specific client needs, and dynamic industry changes is significant.
Furthermore, the company’s zero accident rate across its projects is notable, emphasising a robust approach to occupational health and safety.
Similarly, despite being a major mining and drilling company, GEOPS’ activities have caused minimal impact to the environment.
“GEOPS stands out for its innovative technology and constant investment in advanced drilling equipment and automation”
Vasil Andreev, Chairman, Founder, and COO, GEOPS
INNOVATION, INSTALLATION, AND IMPLEMENTAITON
Elsewhere in Europe, there are numerous projects in which GEOPS is currently active, including the Copper-Silver Shale (Kupferschiefer) project in Poland, which has involved deep drilling and coring along with directional drilling.
Due to the risk of gas influx, GEOPS has implemented a blowout preventer (BOP) at the site, custom-built by its in-house manufacturing department, as well as various other pieces of equipment.
Recently, a unique challenge the company faced and subsequently overcame on this project was the production and installation of a HQ-size packer.
“Namely, after we exited the main well into a new one with the downhole motor, a unique HQ-size packer designed and manufactured by GEOPS was installed at a depth of 860m,” Andreev informs us.
The successful installation of the packer enabled hydrogeological tests requested by the client to be implemented.
“We are also actively working on projects in other parts of Europe, where the demand for base metals is increasing,” he confirms.
Looking to the future, GEOPS plans to further strengthen its drilling fleet for upcoming projects by both purchasing new rigs and refreshing its existing machines.
“The latter is particularly important as we rely heavily on our engineering and mechanical teams,” Andreev reveals.
The company will focus particularly on strengthening the automation of its pipe handling system as part of the improvements.
It is hoped this will reduce the physical effort required by workers on site and increase overall safety as a result.
“We are also in the process of implementing a mud recirculation system, which will greatly improve our daily operations and reduce water consumption and environmental impact,” he adds.
MILESTONES AND NEW MARKETS
Having recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, Andreev reflects on two decades of work that have laid solid foundations for GEOPS.
“The mutual trust between management and staff, as well as between GEOPS and its numerous partner companies, paints the best picture of what our company is today after two decades in existence,” he prides.
The milestone provided GEOPS with an opportunity to reflect on its exponential growth from a local player to an international leader in exploratory drilling.
By way of gala dinners and various other events, the company ensured it celebrated the event in style with its employees and partners.
A particularly emotional moment for Andreev was awarding medals to several employees who have been part of the GEOPS team since the very beginning.
“I took the opportunity to personally thank everyone for their hard work and conveyed my deep appreciation for the commitment they have demonstrated,” he shares.
Going forwards, the company’s priorities include expanding its presence into new markets, with a special focus on Europe.
“I am extremely proud of the fact that GEOPS has been officially recognised as the continent’s most successful exploration drilling company several years in a row,” Andreev discloses.
Awarded by Coring Magazine, this accolade is based on the number of metres drilled per year, where GEOPS is the leader in Europe and stands at 13th worldwide.
“GEOPS looks to the future with confidence and ambition as we seek to remain a leader in innovative and responsible exploration drilling,” he passionately concludes.
GEOPS PARTNERS
