What IGS (International Geoscience Services) Ltd does

IGS (International Geoscience Services) Ltd is a UK-based private geoscience consultancy founded in 2012 (initially as BGS International, rebranded in 2017) and headquartered in Bingham, Nottinghamshire. The company provides specialist technical and organisational support to national governments, ministries of mines, geological survey organisations and development agencies for the collection, compilation, value-adding, interpretation and serving of geoscientific data intended to incentivise mineral exploration investment. Its primary clients are sovereign geological surveys and multilateral funders including the Saudi Geological Survey, World Bank, UK FCDO, and geological surveys of Pakistan, Tanzania, Cameroon, Mozambique, India, Nigeria and Suriname. Operations span 17+ countries across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and South America.

The company's core offering is a suite of professional services spanning the full geodata value chain: GIS and remote sensing, QA/QC of geochemical and geophysical surveys, 3D geological modelling in Leapfrog Geo, national mapping programmes, project design and management, capacity building, institutional reform, mineral promotion, and target generation. The principal flagship contract is the IGS-GTK consortium's role as Technical Partner to the Saudi Geological Survey's 600,000+ km² Regional Geoscience Programme, which encompasses 88,000+ stream sediment samples, 700,000+ line km of airborne geophysics, and 271 geological map sheets, with a mapping phase extending to 2032. In June 2024 IGS added a technology layer through a partnership with Planetary AI on the Xplore Mineral Prospectivity Platform, an AI-enabled mineral targeting product covering 50+ deposit types. The firm also maintains the IDPeX joint venture in India with Datacode International and Paterson Grant & Watson to support mineral block auctions.

IGS generates revenue primarily through project-based professional services contracts secured via competitive tenders funded by governments and development agencies. Pricing is bespoke and project-specific, with no standardised public tiers. Multi-year anchor contracts—particularly the Saudi RGP Technical Partner role and a portfolio of World Bank and FCDO-funded programmes—form the revenue backbone, supplemented by consortium partnerships with GTK, PGW, Geotech Arabia, BRGM and others that allow IGS to bid on larger integrated mandates than its own headcount would support. The company is privately held with no parent or external investor of scale beyond ~$480K of disclosed funding across three small rounds, consistent with a self-funded, contract-driven consultancy model.

Name

IGS (International Geoscience Services) Ltd

Legal name

IGS (International Geoscience Services) Ltd

Website

https://igsint.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

IGS (International Geoscience Services) Ltd is a UK-based specialist geoscience consultancy providing QA/QC, project design, capacity building and AI-enabled mineral prospectivity services to national geological surveys, mining ministries and development agencies (including the Saudi Geological Survey and World Bank) across 17+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geoscience Consulting Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Support Activities for Mining (213)

SIC

Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382)

akta.pro primary industry

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mine Surveying & Geospatial Services (Survey, Drone/LiDAR, GIS, Grade Control) (IMAKAKAK)

Keywords

• Geoscience consultancy services
• Mineral exploration consulting
• Geological survey management
• Geophysical QA/QC services
• National mapping programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Nottingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Consultancy Services: IGS provides technical consultancy services to national governments, development agencies and the World Bank. Services include large, complex and strategic-level studies as well as competitively priced quality services to industry. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts secured via competitive tender processes.
2. Technical Partnership Services: As Technical Partner to geological surveys (e.g., Saudi Geological Survey), IGS provides quality control of contractor data, technical advisory services, and supervision of geodata acquisition programmes. These long-term contracts span multiple years and represent significant recurring revenue streams.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

IGS is a specialist geoscience consultancy providing objective technical and organisational support to national governments, ministries of mines/minerals, and geological survey organisations for the collection, compilation, value-adding, interpretation and serving of geodata to incentivise and support mineral exploration. Services span the full geodata value chain including project design and management, geological mapping, airborne and ground geophysical surveys, geochemical surveys, QA/QC, 3D geological modelling, geodata management, capacity building, institutional reform, and mineral promotion. The company also offers the Xplore Mineral Prospectivity Platform, an AI-powered mineral targeting software developed with Planetary AI.

Product overview

IGS (International Geoscience Services) Ltd is a specialist consultancy providing a comprehensive suite of geoscience services focused on collection, compilation, value-adding, interpretation and serving of geodata to support mineral exploration. The company operates as a service-based consultancy rather than a software product company, offering multiple specialized services including GIS and Remote Sensing, Groundwater, QA/QC Geochemistry and Geophysics, Geophysics, National Mapping Programmes, Institutional Reform, Capacity Building, Mineral Promotion, Geodata Management, Field Mapping, Project Design and Management, and Target Generation. Additionally, IGS has partnered with Planetary AI to offer the Xplore Mineral Prospectivity Platform—an AI-powered platform for mineral targeting that represents the company's primary technology-enabled offering. IGS works with national governments, development agencies, World Bank, and industry clients worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GIS and Remote Sensing Services Advanced image processing (PCA, band combinations, mineralogical band ratios) for geological mapping; multispectral and hyperspectral data analysis; GIS data management, database structuring, metadata documentation, and high-quality client-specific map production using standardised workflows. Offered to governments, geological surveys and exploration companies in collaboration with GeoOptimist.
• Groundwater Services Geological expertise supporting hydrologists and hydrogeologists including regional and local field investigations, 3D geological modelling in Leapfrog Geo, airborne and ground electromagnetic geophysical surveys, remote sensing, and core logging for aquifer characterisation and groundwater management.
• QA/QC Geochemistry Work Expert QA/QC for geochemical surveys including review of project deliverables, verification of sampling site maps and chemical analysis results, statistical analyses and geochemical anomaly maps, field inspections, and preparation of training materials for capacity building.
• QA/QC Geophysics Work Comprehensive QA/QC workflow for airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys, EM systems (TDEM, FDEM, passive EM), and gravity/gravity gradiometry systems, including pre-survey evaluation, production data QC, deliverables validation, calibration reviews and aircraft inspections.
• Geophysics Services Expert consultancy across airborne (including UAV/drone) geophysical methods including magnetics, radiometrics, gravity, gravity gradiometry, time and frequency domain electromagnetics, magnetotellurics and lidar. Includes technical specification development, survey design, and interpretation services.
• National Mapping Programmes Large-scale acquisition and interpretation of baseline geodata including geological, geochemical and geophysical data for national mapping programmes, working with development agencies, international organisations, and national geological surveys.
• Institutional Reform Strategic reform of ministries of mines/minerals and geological survey organisations to modernise capabilities and align with exploration company expectations, including operational frameworks and business models.
• Capacity Building Improving capabilities and skills of staff within government institutions including geological surveys and ministries of mines/minerals, drawing on decades of combined experience in World Bank and overseas aid-funded projects.
• Mineral Promotion Production of promotional literature, websites, electronic media and geodata distribution systems such as web portals and WFS/WMS services to attract investor interest in mineral assets.
• Geodata Management Expert management of geological, geophysical and geochemical data including storage, analysis, and delivery within institutions, ensuring careful and responsible data handling to prevent damage, duplication or loss.
• Field Mapping Geological mapping at various scales from regional overviews to prospect-scale mapping, generating fundamental data for understanding subsurface structure and potential for mineral, hydrocarbon, and groundwater resources.
• Project Design and Management Expert design and management of large and small-scale geological, geophysical, and geochemical mapping surveys worldwide, providing complete turnkey solutions including management systems and staffing.
• Target Generation Identification of exploration targets using prospectivity analysis and remote sensing techniques to define areas of interest for attracting investors, working with datasets to identify prospects and mineral potential zones.
• Xplore Mineral Prospectivity Platform AI-powered mineral prospectivity software enabling geographic targeting of mineral resources based on over 50 mineral deposit types dependent on geology, structure, age, mineralogy and spatial geological relationships. Uses artificial intelligence to enable the system to 'Think like a Geologist'. Developed and offered in partnership with Planetary AI.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88,000+ stream sediment samples collected and analysed for the Saudi Arabia geochemical survey
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Planetary AIcoreTechnology or Integration · 3 June 2024Partnership to deliver cutting-edge target generation for mineral exploration via the Xplore Mineral Prospectivity Platform. IGS contributes geological expertise and field-based data acquisition experience while Planetary AI provides AI and software capabilities.
• Geological Survey of Finland (GTK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 October 2020IGS-GTK consortium is Technical Partner to Saudi Geological Survey for the Regional Geoscience Programme covering the Arabian Shield. GTK provides expertise in geochemistry QA/QC and database management alongside IGS.
• GeoOptimistcoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration to advance mineral exploration and geological mapping services. The partnership combines IGS's geology expertise with GeoOptimist's remote sensing and geospatial analysis capabilities for enhanced mineral targeting and resource evaluation.
• Geotech ArabiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaudi Arabia-based geoscientific company and partner in the Technical Partner consortium for Saudi Geological Survey. Provides local expertise and on-ground support for the RGP programme.
• Paterson, Grant & Watson (PGW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian geophysics consultancy providing technical advisory for RGP geophysics programmes. Long-standing consortium partner on multiple projects including Nigeria, India, Uganda, and Saudi Arabia.
• Sander GeophysicsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor for Saudi Arabia RGP Phase 1 geophysics programme, flying Block 1 of the Arabian Shield airborne magnetic and radiometric survey at 300m line spacing.
• Xcalibur MultiphysicsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor for Saudi Arabia RGP Phase 1 geophysics programme, flying Blocks 2 and 3. Also conducts geological mapping and geochemical surveys for various IGS-supervised projects including Uganda Karamoja.
• China Geological Survey (CGS)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor for Saudi Arabia GSAS geochemical survey (100,000+ stream sediment samples) and GMAS geological mapping project (271 map sheets). IGS provides technical supervision and QA/QC as Technical Partner.
• IDPeX Pvt LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndian-registered joint venture comprising IGS Ltd, Datacode International, and Paterson Grant & Watson. Provides exploration-related technical assistance and support for mineral block auctions in India, notably the Odisha Mining Corporation project.
• GAF AG (Germany)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with IGS on the Suriname World Bank project. GAF AG focused on national cadastral system implementation while IGS concentrated on the National Geological Survey components.
• BRGM (French Geological Survey)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner on Cameroon geological data acquisition project alongside IGS, GTK, and others. Part of consortium executing World Bank-funded PRECASEM project phases.
• Council for Geoscience (South Africa)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner on Tanzania GEOMAP project and other projects. Provides geological mapping and geophysical expertise alongside IGS.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SRK Consulting: Global mining and geoscience consultancy providing independent technical advice across exploration, resource estimation, and mining studies. Directly comparable to IGS as a privately held technical advisory firm serving government and mining clients with multidisciplinary geoscience expertise.
• CSA Global: Geoscience and mining consultancy (part of ERM) specialising in mineral resource estimation, exploration geology, and geological services for governments and industry. Closely comparable to IGS in offering technical advisory across geological, geophysical, and geochemical disciplines for mineral exploration programmes.
• AMC Consultants: Mining consultancy providing geological, geotechnical, and mine engineering services globally. Comparable to IGS in serving mineral sector clients with technical consulting across exploration support, resource evaluation, and project advisory engagements.
• Watts, Griffis and McOuat (WGM): Canadian geological and geophysical consultancy with a long track record in mineral exploration advisory and resource estimation. Directly comparable as a senior technical consultancy working with governments and junior miners on exploration programmes.
• GAF AG: German geoscience and remote sensing consultancy providing geological mapping, mineral exploration support, and cadastral system implementation for governments and development agencies. Directly comparable to IGS as evidenced by their joint work on the Suriname World Bank project.
• Paterson, Grant & Watson (PGW): Canadian geophysics consultancy specialising in airborne and ground geophysical survey design, supervision, and interpretation for mineral exploration. Comparable as a long-standing consortium partner of IGS on Nigeria, India, Uganda, and Saudi Arabia programmes.
• Resource Potentials: Geophysics and geoscience consultancy providing geophysical survey design, supervision, processing, and interpretation for mineral exploration. Comparable to IGS in offering specialist technical services across airborne and ground geophysical methods for exploration clients.

Emerging players

• Geological Survey of Finland (GTK): Finnish national geological survey with growing international consulting arm offering geodata acquisition, QA/QC, and capacity-building services to developing-country geological surveys. Comparable to IGS as a core consortium partner on the Saudi RGP and a potential competitor for World Bank-funded tenders.

Broad incumbents

• BRGM (French Geological Survey): French national geological survey with a substantial international services division delivering geological mapping, mineral resource assessment, and institutional capacity-building for governments and development agencies. Comparable as a publicly funded peer competing for similar World Bank-funded geoscience contracts (e.g. Cameroon PRECASEM consortium partner).
• Council for Geoscience (South Africa): South African national geological survey offering geological mapping, geophysics, and international consulting services across Africa. Comparable as a publicly funded peer that competes for mineral exploration geoscience contracts in Africa and serves as a consortium partner on Tanzania and other regional projects.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/igs_limited
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/5107313/admin/feed/posts

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about IGS (International Geoscience Services) Ltd