This project marks the first substantial Noranda revenue contract for ESSI and planning is presently under way for the implementation of a Canadian program. Contract terms of the extensive project were not released at the client's request.

"The Mexico program demonstrated that collections in excess of 2,000 miles per day can be achieved providing rapid, large-scale mapping capabilities," Vance said. "The hyperspectral data collected allows specialists access to geologic information and identifies key minerals associated with economic mineral deposits."

Vance founded Earth Search 15 years ago on the idea that an advancement of existing satellite imaging technology could be developed for use in an airplane to make more affordable and flexible the process of scanning of the earth for minerals and other specific targets of interest.

Probe-1 was brought to market in 1997, and in the second half of the year conducted successful missions with U.S. government agencies over Kazakhstan and for private clients over targets in the United States. In the first half of 1998, the company has been at work over target areas in Australia, Mexico and the U.S.

Earth Search officials believe Probe-1's low-cost capabilities extend across the mineral, environmental, defense, forestry, agriculture and many other industries. The company is committed to become for its clients the technological differentiator that drives informed decision-making and reduces significantly the costs of exploration of properties for development or other treatment.