Minelab
Minelab designs and manufactures metal detection devices for consumer treasure hunting, gold prospecting, defense, and industrial safety applications. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Adelaide, Australia, it operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Codan Limited (ASX:CDA).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersAdelaide, Australia
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Minelab does
Minelab Electronics Pty Limited, founded in 1985 and headquartered in Adelaide, Australia, designs and manufactures metal detection devices for three end-markets: consumer treasure hunting, gold prospecting, and professional/defense applications. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Codan Limited (ASX:CDA) and operates regional entities in the UK (Minelab Electronics UK Limited) and India (Minelab India Private Limited). Its product portfolio is organized into distinct families spanning entry-level through professional price points: GO-FIND (~$99), X-TERRA, VANQUISH, EQUINOX, GOLD MONSTER ($1,999), MANTICORE ($1,499), GPZ, GPX ($6,999+), CTX 3030, SDC 2300, and EXCALIBUR II, supplemented by the PRO-FIND pinpointer series, wireless audio, coils, and other accessories. Core technologies are proprietary and patented, including Multi-IQ and Multi-IQ+ simultaneous multi-frequency operation, Zero Voltage Transmission (ZVT) for extreme depth in mineralized ground, GeoSense-PI pulse induction for gold prospecting, and a 2D ID Map on the MANTICORE that visualizes targets by conductivity and ferrous properties.
Minelab's business model is hardware-driven: it sells one-time/perpetual-license detector units direct-to-consumer via seven regional e-commerce storefronts (USA, UK, Germany, Brazil, India, Mexico, EU) and through a global authorized dealer network, with accessories, replacement coils, pinpointers, and software (XChange 2, Realm app) forming secondary recurring streams. Go-to-market combines direct e-commerce, multi-tier channel partners, and event-driven community engagement through competitions like Goldfields of Fortune (prize pools up to $25,000) and the Detectival community event. The customer base spans hobbyist detectorists (entry-to-advanced), gold prospectors and artisanal miners (driven by record gold prices), defense forces worldwide, and a growing industrial/commercial safety operator segment.
Commercially, Minelab benefits from strong category tailwinds: Codan's share price doubled in one year on robust detector sales across Australia, Africa, and the Americas, while record gold prices above $4,500 per troy ounce and surging Victorian miner permits (~16,000) are driving prospecting demand. The company is expanding its addressable market with an April 2026 launch of industrial safety detectors targeting mining, agriculture, forestry, and infrastructure. Compliance registrations (WEEE, EPR) across France, Italy, Germany, UK, and India, combined with localized regional storefronts, support its global distribution footprint. Marketed as the "#1 in metal detection globally" with 35+ years of heritage, Minelab's competitive position rests on proprietary signal-processing IP, a broad product ladder, and a tightly integrated accessory and community ecosystem.
Minelab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Minelab
- Legal name
- Minelab Electronics Pty Limited
- Website
- https://minelab.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Minelab designs and manufactures metal detection devices for consumer treasure hunting, gold prospecting, defense, and industrial safety applications. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Adelaide, Australia, it operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Codan Limited (ASX:CDA).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Minelab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Metal Detection Equipment
- NAICS
- Mining Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333131)
- SIC
- Mining Machinery & Equip (No Oil & Gas Field Mach & Equip) (3532)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Inspection, Checkweighing & Detection Systems (Vision, Metal, X-ray) (IMALAOAH)
Keywords
Where Minelab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Adelaide
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices9 records
Markets served
Minelab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Metal Detector Hardware Sales: Minelab generates primary revenue from selling metal detectors across multiple product families ranging from beginner entry-level ($99.99) to professional-grade ($6,999+) units. Products are sold directly through e-commerce and through authorized dealer networks globally.
- Accessories and Consumables: Secondary revenue stream from accessories including pinpointers (PRO-FIND series), coils, audio equipment, batteries, chargers, bags, gold pans, shafts, and other detector accessories and replacement parts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level detectors for beginners and casual hobbyists |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Mid-range detectors for intermediate users |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Advanced/professional detectors for serious hobbyists and gold prospectors |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Pinpointer accessories |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | UK regional pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Minelab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Minelab designs and manufactures handheld metal detection devices for consumer treasure hunting, gold prospecting, humanitarian demining, and military applications. The company sells a tiered portfolio of detectors ranging from beginner entry-level units (GO-FIND at $99.99) to professional-grade gold prospecting systems (GPX 6000 at $6,999+), alongside accessories, pinpointers, and digital community platforms.
Product overview
Minelab is a global leader in metal detection technology, operating as a subsidiary of Codan Limited (ASX:CDA). The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of metal detectors spanning entry-level hobbyist devices to professional-grade exploration equipment. The product lineup is organized into distinct families: GO-FIND (entry-level), X-TERRA (beginner to intermediate), VANQUISH (beginner to intermediate with Multi-IQ), EQUINOX (intermediate to advanced), GOLD MONSTER (dedicated gold prospecting), MANTICORE (advanced flagship with Multi-IQ+), GPZ/GPX (professional gold detection with ZVT/GeoSense-PI), CTX 3030 (advanced treasure hunting with GPS), and SDC 2300 (compact waterproof gold prospecting). Core technologies include Multi-IQ multi-frequency simultaneous operation, Multi-IQ+ (next-generation with lower EMI), ZVT (extreme depth in mineralized ground), GeoSense-PI (ground signal analysis), and 2D ID mapping (visual target classification). Supporting accessories include PRO-FIND pinpointers, wireless audio modules, specialized coils, and the Realm digital community platform. The company also provides XChange 2 desktop software for data management on select detectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Realm: A platform/app built for detectorists and gold prospectors to log and track finds, connect with a global community, learn through videos and courses, and get advice from experts.
- Detexperts
Products and services
- GO-FIND Series Entry-level metal detectors for beginners and casual hobbyists featuring waterproof coils, target ID display, and simple controls.
- X-TERRA Series Versatile detectors for beginner to intermediate users with Multi-IQ technology, waterproof design up to 5m, and configurable settings.
- VANQUISH Series Beginner to intermediate multi-frequency detectors using Multi-IQ technology for all-terrain performance, available in VANQUISH 60 Series (360, 460, 560, PRO-PACK) and original 340, 440, 540 models.
- EQUINOX Series Intermediate to advanced multi-frequency detectors with Multi-IQ technology, IP68 waterproof rating, carbon-fiber shafts, and 50-119 target ID range depending on model.
- GOLD MONSTER Series Dedicated gold prospecting detectors with automatic ground balance and high sensitivity to small nuggets, including GOLD MONSTER 2000 ($1,999) and GOLD MONSTER 1000 with GM05 coil.
- MANTICORE Advanced flagship multi-frequency detector featuring Multi-IQ+ technology for superior depth and 2D Target ID Map with conductivity and ferrous property visualization, priced at $1,499.
- GPZ Series Professional gold detectors using Zero Voltage Transmission (ZVT) technology for extreme depth detection in mineralized ground, including GPZ 8000 and GPZ 7000 with Super-D coils.
- GPX Series Professional gold prospecting detectors including GPX 6000 with GeoSense-PI technology for variable ground conditions and legacy GPX 5000/4800/4500 models.
- CTX 3030 Advanced treasure and coin detector with FBS multi-frequency technology, GPS tracking, waterproof design, and Combined Audio, priced at $1,999.
- SDC 2300 Compact waterproof gold prospecting detector using MPF Pulse Induction technology, waterproof to 3m including control box, designed for sensitive small-to-medium nugget detection in mineralized ground.
- EXCALIBUR II Professional beach and deep-water metal detector designed for extreme saltwater and mineralized sand conditions with 20+ year production history.
- PRO-FIND Series Pinpointers Handheld pinpointer detectors for precise target location available in PRO-FIND 15, 35, and 40 models with varying waterproof ratings and sensitivity settings.
- Realm App Digital community platform and mobile app for detectorists and gold prospectors to log finds, track discoveries, connect with the global community, and access learning content.
- XChange 2 Desktop Software Desktop software for CTX 3030 and GPZ 7000/8000 detectors enabling mode sharing, data management, and GPS data extraction via SQLite database.
- Minelab Accessories Comprehensive range of detector accessories including pinpointers, wireless audio modules, headphones, coils, batteries, chargers, gold pans, bags, covers, and shafts.
- New Generation Safety Series Metal Detectors New generation of metal detectors designed for safety and operational efficiency in mining, agriculture, forestry, and infrastructure industries, with up to 1.5m depth detection and integration with satellite-based mineral detection platforms.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 30% faster detection speeds compared to previous models
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Minelab
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Minelab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability7 records
Feature6 records
Minelab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Codan LimitedcoreCodan Limited is the Adelaide-headquartered parent company of Minelab. Codan is described as the world's largest maker of handheld metal detectors. The partnership represents a parent-subsidiary relationship with Minelab operating as a division of Codan.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Minelab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks2 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Minelab social profiles
Digital presenceMinelab compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Minelab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Minelab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Minelab subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Minelab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Minelab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Minelab
What does Minelab do?
Minelab designs and manufactures handheld metal detection devices for consumer treasure hunting, gold prospecting, humanitarian demining, and military applications. The company sells a tiered portfolio of detectors ranging from beginner entry-level units (GO-FIND at $99.99) to professional-grade gold prospecting systems (GPX 6000 at $6,999+), alongside accessories, pinpointers, and digital community platforms.
Is Minelab a public or private company?
Minelab is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Minelab founded?
Minelab was founded in 1985. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Minelab based?
Minelab is headquartered in Adelaide, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Minelab make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Metal Detector Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are accessories and Consumables.
Does Minelab have an API?
No public API is recorded for Minelab.
What industry is Minelab in?
Minelab's product category is Metal Detection Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAOAH, Inspection, Checkweighing & Detection Systems (Vision, Metal, X-ray). Its NAICS code is 333131 and its SIC code is 3532.