Our Story

1974 Pre-IMDEX

Before IMDEX was officially founded, Claes Ericsson worked with Industry AB REFLEX. He pioneered the non-magnetic instrument market around the world by developing the Fotobor borehole-survey tool. 

1980 The IMDEX story officially begins

Australian company Pilbara Gold NL incorporated.

1985 Our name change: Imdex Limited

Pilbara Gold NL changed name to Imdex Limited.

1986 REFLEX and Chardec combine

They further develop the Fotobor, working on similar principals but using a solid-state image sensor and electronic image processing to replace the film and motorised camera mechanism.

1987 Imdex Limited listed on the ASX

Listing on the ASX was momentous and a major milestone in our journey as a leading, global Mining-Tech company, delivering sustainable earnings growth for shareholders. Our ASX Code is IMD.

1988 Viktor Tokle started Devico in 1988

He launched the directional core-drilling system that was eventually dubbed DeviDrill.

1988 Formation of Australian Mud Company (AMC)

Quickly establishing itself as one of the world’s leading brands for drilling fluids and equipment – developing, manufacturing, and supplying a range of specialised and innovative products to the mining industry.

1989 Downhole Surveys starts up in Kalgoorlie WA

Founded to solve problems experienced with drillhole deviation at site in Kalgoorlie, WA.

1990 Channel Tunnel Project

Initial MAXIBOR unit is used to align the British and French drives of the Channel Tunnel. The Senior Tunnel Surveyor, Eric Radcliffe, expresses his confidence in the accuracy of the MAXIBOR by saying, “as far as I know there is no other tool that can survey a hole like this to such a degree of accuracy”. Achieved within 10cm accuracy in the last 100m of the tunnel.

2000 Bernie Ridgeway appointed Managing Director

2005 AMC Global expansion

Acquisition of African-based company, Samchem.

2006 ioGAS™ Released

Optimal exploratory data-analysis software released for the detection of patterns, anomalies and relationships in geochemical and geometallurgical data. Continues to be used today by customers and institutions globally.

2006 IMDEX acquires REFLEX and Chardec

Acquisition of Swedish-based REFLEX and United-Kingdom based company, Chardec.

These acquisitions further enhanced IMDEX’s strategy of establishing a global presence in its core business of drilling products and services. This included access to new markets (Canada, Chile, and South Africa) and technologies.

2010 Chilean Mine Rescue, REFLEX minor involvement

REFLEX Down-Hole Motors and survey instruments used to locate Chilean miners trapped underground after ground collapses at a mine.

2012 IMDEX acquire ioGlobal

The acquisition of ioGlobal, provider of innovative, cloud-based data management solutions for the mining, mineral exploration and oil and gas industries. The acquisition enhances the value of the REFLEX instrument range with data management and analysis, and advanced geochemical consulting services.

2013 REFLEX HUB™ launched

A cloud-based data-management and analysis solution providing access to information in near real time, anywhere in the world – a step change to mining processes on an international scale.
 

2014 TN14™ released to market

The REFLEX TN14 GYROCOMPASS is developed to dramatically improve productivity by quickly and accurately aligning drill rigs in surface and underground operations.

2016 REFLEX IQ-LOGGER™ launched

Industry excited about release of the new core-logging solution after demos at PDAC and 35IGC. The waiting list grows with the first 25 prototypes in high demand. First commercial release in October of the same year

2016 Anthony Wooles appointed as Director and Chairman

2019 Paul House became CEO of IMDEX

2020 Strategic acquisition of AusSpec

IMDEX enhances real-time, rock-knowledge offering with strategic acquisition of AusSpec and its aiSIRIS product.

2021 Acquired MinePortal

The acquisition of MinePortal software accelerated IMDEX’s presence in mining production.

2021 IMDEX leading partner: Datarock

Interest in Datarock resulting in an acqusition. Datarock is a cloud-based platform that applies AI and ML to automate the extraction of geological and geotechnical information. This partnership accelerates IMDEX’s growth plans, including market development and market expansion.

2022 Smarter, faster mining decisions

IMDEX BLASTDOG™ entered commercial prototype and commenced first commercial trials.

2023 IMDEX acquired Devico

Making the business not only the leading provider of rock-knowledge sensors, but also establishing IMDEX as the number one directional drilling company worldwide.

2023 Leading Partner: Krux Analytics

Acquired an interest in Krux Analytics, with full acquisition over a three-year period. This investment supports the digitisation of IMDEX’s Drilling Optimisation business and provides pathways for IMDEX Mobile customers to transfer to a more advanced platform.

2023 We unveiled ACTx, our groundbreaking, digital core orientation system at PDAC

ACTx is the first to capture QA information that can be used by the geologist to help determine the reliability of the reading and mark which in turn helps to assign confidence ratings to the core run