Deep blue geophysics, LLC - new award control #3593-1504 DE-FOA-0003593 (rocks sbir/sttr) title: V6EM: UAV-based controlled-source electromagnetics for rapid ORE characterization deep blue geophysics,…

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded a $2.181 million Cooperative Agreement to Deep Blue Geophysics, LLC on July 24, 2026, under the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy program (CFDA 81.135) to develop and validate V6EM, a UAV-based controlled-source electromagnetic system for rapid subsurface mineral characterization.

V6EM deploys coordinated drone fleets equipped with sensors to map subsurface geology at depths up to 1,000 meters by transmitting broadband electromagnetic signals from ground-based sources and measuring electric and magnetic field responses at thousands of locations. Cloud-based processing converts field measurements into detailed three-dimensional images of subsurface rock properties within 24 hours. The system addresses conventional ground survey constraints—permitting delays, vegetation clearing, electrode installation, sparse coverage, and terrain access limitations—by surveying equivalent areas in days rather than months while achieving denser spatial sampling and operating in steep slopes, active mine perimeters, forests, and environmentally sensitive lands.

Deep Blue Geophysics will validate the technology at three U.S. sites representing critical mineral deposit types: rare earth carbonatites in Wyoming, ion-adsorption rare earth element clays in South Carolina, and copper porphyry systems in Arizona. Following successful demonstration, the company will commercialize V6EM as a survey service for U.S. mining companies. All hardware manufacturing and software development remain U.S.-based.

Work is performed in Los Angeles, California. The period of performance runs from July 24, 2026 to July 23, 2029.

Deep blue geophysics, LLC - new award control #3593-1504 DE-FOA-0003593 (rocks sbir/sttr) title: V6EM: UAV-based controlled-source electromagnetics for rapid ORE characterization deep blue geophysics, LLC is developing V6EM, a next-generation mineral exploration system that deploys coordinated drone fleets to map subsurface geology at depths up to 1,000 meters. The technology adapts controlled-source electromagnetic methods, widely used and validated in offshore energy exploration, to the challenge of locating critical minerals on land. The system works by transmitting broadband electromagnetic signals from ground-based sources while sensor-equipped drones fly overhead, measuring electric and magnetic field responses at thousands of locations. Cloud-based processing converts these measurements into detailed 3D images of subsurface rock properties within 24 hours, fast enough to guide the next day's flight plan. V6EM addresses a major bottleneck in U.S. Mineral development: conventional ground surveys require weeks of permitting, vegetation clearing, and electrode installation, yet often provide only sparse coverage with significant uncertainty. V6EM surveys the same area in days rather than months, achieves much denser spatial sampling, and can operate in terrain difficult for ground crews, including steep slopes, active mine perimeters, forests, and environmentally sensitive lands. The system will be validated at three U.S. Sites representing key critical mineral deposit types: rare earth carbonatites in wyoming, ION-adsorption REE clays in south carolina, and copper porphyry systems in arizona. After successful demonstration, deep blue geophysics will offer V6EM as a commercial survey service for U.S. Mining companies. All hardware manufacturing and software development will remain U.S.-based, supporting domestic capability in advanced exploration technologies.