Kati

What Kati does

Oy KATI Ab is a privately held, family-owned Finnish mineral exploration and drilling contracting company founded in 1984 and headquartered in Rautio, Kalajoki. The firm delivers integrated exploration services to global mining and mineral exploration operators across surface and underground environments, with documented operations ranging from Greenland to the Sahara.

KATI's service portfolio is organized around three pillars: drilling (diamond core drilling with an award-winning closed circulation system that cuts water use by over 95%, KAMU crawler-mounted rock chip sampling, and sonic drilling that is 3–5x faster than conventional methods and produces 70% less waste); surveying (Continuous North-seeking Gyro borehole deviation surveys and hydrological measurements delivered by a six-person team on 24/7 standby); and ancillary services (mechanical route preparation, geophysical surveys, rock mechanics, expert consulting, and field geology). Proprietary technologies include the closed circulation system, KAMU sampling equipment, and the gyro-based measurement suite. The company holds ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certifications and won the Environmental Action of the Year 2013 award.

Commercially, KATI operates a project-based, quote-driven B2B model with no public price list, selling directly to enterprise mining clients via a dedicated sales and marketing function led by family shareholders. Revenue is generated from drilling contracts, measurement services, and bundled add-ons, with subsidiary Geovisor extending the offering into borehole surveying, geophysics, and mining-support services. The customer base includes Boliden, Rio Tinto, Anglo American, Agnico Eagle, KoBold Metals, Yara, Keliber, Rupert Resources, Mawson, and Finnish Minerals, among others, with marketing executed through direct field sales, industry conferences (notably the FEM Conference), and a recently relaunched bilingual corporate website.

Name

Kati

Legal name

Oy KATI Ab

Website

https://oykatiab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

KATI (Oy KATI Ab) is a family-owned Finnish mineral exploration and diamond drilling contractor serving global mining operators with proprietary closed circulation and sonic drilling technology, gyro-based borehole surveying, and integrated geophysics via subsidiary Geovisor.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mineral Exploration Drilling Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114), Support Activities for Mining (213), Support Activities for Mining (2131)

SIC

Metal Mining (1000)

akta.pro primary industry

Exploration & Production Drilling Services (RC, Core, Directional, Sonic, Auger) (IMAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA), Mine Surveying & Geospatial Services (Survey, Drone/LiDAR, GIS, Grade Control) (IMAKAKAK), Exploration & Resource Development (Critical Minerals) (IMAKAFAL)

Keywords

• Diamond drilling services
• Mineral exploration drilling
• Borehole surveying services
• Rock chip sampling
• Geophysical exploration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Rautio

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Drilling Services: Core revenue from diamond drilling, sonic drilling, and rock chip sampling services performed for mining and exploration companies. Revenue is generated on a project/contract basis, with pricing based on drilling depth, sample size, site conditions, and project duration. Services are provided globally across challenging environments including Arctic and desert conditions.
2. Surveying Services: Borehole deviation and azimuth surveys, hydrological measurements, and water loss testing performed during or after drilling. Revenue is generated through dedicated measurement contracts, often bundled with drilling services or as standalone engagements. A six-person measurement team is available 24/7.
3. Additional Services: Mechanical route preparation, geophysical surveys, rock mechanics services, geological field services, expert consulting, and training. Provided both directly and through subsidiary Geovisor. Includes project consulting, borehole surveying, mineral exploration geophysics, and geotechnical services for mining support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

KATI provides specialised mineral exploration contracting services for the global mining industry, anchored by diamond core drilling (surface and underground) with an award-winning closed circulation water-saving system, complemented by KAMU crawler rock chip sampling, sonic drilling, borehole deviation and hydrological surveys, mechanical route preparation, geophysical surveys, rock mechanics, geological field services and expert consulting delivered through its KATI Drilling Intelligence operating model and subsidiary Geovisor.

Product overview

KATI offers a comprehensive integrated suite of intelligent mineral exploration services organized around three core pillars: Drilling Services (Diamond Drilling with award-winning closed circulation system, KAMU rock chip sampling, and Sonic Drilling), Surveying Services (Deviation Surveys using Continuous North-seeking Gyro technology and Hydrological Services), and Additional Support Services (Mechanical Route Preparation, Geophysical Surveys, Rock Mechanics, Expert/Consulting Services, and Geological Field Services). The portfolio is delivered through the 'KATI Drilling Intelligence' operating model, supported by subsidiary Geovisor for borehole and geophysical services. Services range from core drilling to data analytics and consulting, designed for seamless exploration projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KAMU: Crawler-mounted rock chip sampling equipment that can penetrate up to 30 meters of overburden, including large boulders, providing fast and reliable till layer and bedrock information.
• Geovisor
• Drilling Intelligence

Products and services

• Diamond Drilling (Timanttikairaus) Award-winning diamond core drilling services for mineral exploration, offering surface and underground drilling across multiple sample sizes (PQ, KATI-100, HQ, NQ2 and more) using an award-winning closed circulation system that reduces water consumption by over 95%, sold to global mining and mineral exploration companies.
• Rock Chip Sampling – KAMU KAMU crawler-mounted rock chip sampling service using proprietary KATI equipment that penetrates up to 30 metres of overburden including large boulders, providing fast, reliable till-layer and bedrock information from depths up to 40 metres, for mineral exploration firms needing quick mineral potential data.
• Sonic Drilling Sonic drilling service using high-frequency vibration for rapid, nearly undisturbed core sampling in challenging ground conditions, operating 3–5 times faster than traditional methods, producing up to 70% less waste and requiring no water, for mineral exploration, geotechnical and environmental investigations.
• Deviation Surveys (Borehole Deviation and Azimuth) Borehole deviation and azimuth surveys performed during drilling or in existing boreholes, using Continuous North-seeking Gyro technology to ensure accurate positioning of drill core samples and ore deposits for mineral exploration firms and mine planners.
• Hydrological Services Hydrological investigations including water loss measurements to assess bedrock integrity and conductivity, flow modelling and installation of pumping/monitoring wells and piezometers for water pressure monitoring, supporting mine planning and infrastructure development for mining companies.
• Mechanical Route Preparation Access route planning and construction for drilling equipment, including snowmaking solutions to protect ground and maintain schedules, using environmentally considerate methods such as rubber mats, for mining and exploration projects in sensitive or remote terrain.
• Geophysical Surveys Mineral exploration geophysics services using advanced geophysical methods to locate and assess ore deposits, delivered by KATI's subsidiary Geovisor for mining and exploration clients.
• Rock Mechanics Services Geotechnical services for mining requiring comprehensive knowledge of site conditions including geology, hydrology and rock mechanics to support responsible operational planning, delivered by KATI/Geovisor for mining operators.
• Expert Services (Consulting and Training) Consulting and training services for the mining and exploration industry, including project planning assistance, risk identification and customised 1–2-day lecture series on the drilling industry and best practices, for mining firms, exploration companies and educational clients.
• Geological Field Services Field geology services supporting mineral exploration projects with on-site geological expertise and data collection, delivered for mining and exploration companies operating active drill programmes.
• Borehole Injection and Steering Services Borehole cementing or plugging services to support environmental protection and further investigations, including borehole deviation and steering services for accurate underground targeting, supplied to mining and exploration operators.
• Geovisor Subsurface and Geotechnical Services Subsidiary-level services including borehole surveying, mineral exploration geophysics, geotechnical investigations, flow modelling and hydrological monitoring, sold by Geovisor to mining and exploration companies requiring integrated subsurface data.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 95% water savings per 500m drill hole compared to conventional drilling (15 m³ vs 360 m³)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• GeovisorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeovisor is KATI's subsidiary company that provides borehole surveying, mineral exploration geophysics, and geotechnical/mining support services. The subsidiary specialises in borehole measurements providing cost-effective data on ore potential, geology, and hydrology; advanced geophysical surveys for ore deposit location and assessment; and geotechnical services for responsible mining guided by data. Geovisor operates as an integral part of KATI's comprehensive service offering.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Major Drilling Group International: One of the world's largest drilling service contractors for mining exploration, offering diamond drilling, reverse circulation, and specialized drilling to majors and juniors globally. Directly comparable to KATI's core diamond drilling and core sampling services for enterprise mining clients.
• Capital Limited: Provider of drilling services and equipment to the mining industry, particularly in Africa and emerging markets, with diamond and reverse circulation drilling. Comparable as a project-based drilling contractor serving enterprise miners in challenging geographies.
• Boart Longyear: Global drilling services and equipment provider for mineral exploration, including diamond core drilling and downhole surveying tools. Overlaps directly with KATI's core drilling and surveying service lines and serves the same enterprise mining customer base.
• Foraco International: Specialized drilling contractor providing diamond core, reverse circulation, and rotary drilling services to mining and exploration clients worldwide. Directly comparable service mix, project-based delivery model, and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Epiroc: Swedish mining and infrastructure productivity partner offering drilling rigs, equipment, and parts for surface and underground mining. A broad incumbent with overlapping technology and end customers; not a pure services peer but competes for the same wallet.
• SLB (Schlumberger): Global energy technology company with a growing mining services portfolio, including drilling-related services and subsurface data analytics. A broad incumbent leveraging scale and digital capability into mineral exploration adjacent to KATI's service lines.
• Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions: Division of Sandvik AB supplying mining equipment, automation, and parts — and adjacent services — for drilling, loading, and rock processing. Competes with KATI on the equipment and consumables side and increasingly offers integrated drilling services.

Regional players

• AFRY (formerly Pöyry): Nordic-headquartered engineering, design, and consulting firm with a strong mining advisory and processing practice. Comparable regional incumbent for Nordic mining services and engineering consulting that often procures or subcontracts drilling work.
• Viridien (formerly CGG): France-headquartered geophysical science and data company providing subsurface imaging for natural resource exploration. Overlaps with KATI's Geovisor subsidiary in mineral exploration geophysics, though focused on oil & gas and large-scale data acquisition.

Emerging players

• TGS (offshore/subsurface data): Provider of subsurface data and multi-client libraries for exploration, with growing exposure to minerals (e.g., through Magdala and other critical minerals projects). Tangentially comparable to Geovisor's geophysical surveying capability and to the data-services layer of exploration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kati-oy

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kati