News

WSG’s HELMS (Hands-Free Electric Logging Multi-Tool System) represents a groundbreaking shift in how borehole logging is performed. Safer, smarter, and fully automated for the challenges of remote field operations.

What began as a bold internal concept has rapidly evolved into a fully operational automated logging vehicle, now deployed with clients across Western Australia’s Pilbara.

Across industry events, engineering milestones, and the opening of our new home at the AARP (The Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct – https://www.theaarp.com.au/ ), the HELMS story is growing fast.

We’ve pulled together the full journey so far, the breakthroughs, the big moves, and the moments that shaped HELMS. Explore the full HELMS timeline below.

2023–2024: Concept Development & Early Engineering

The foundation of HELMS began with a simple objective: reduce safety exposure, improve efficiency, and modernise the traditional logging processes through automation.

WSG’s engineering and geoscience teams began designing a fully electric, hands-free system capable of operating across complex terrain while delivering high-quality live data.

Internal prototyping, trials, and cross-disciplinary workshops set the stage for what would become WSG’s largest automation initiative to date.

Mid 2025: Field Testing, Team Collaboration & Industry Engagement

The HELMS truck completed a successful six-month trial in the Pilbara, driven by strong client demand and a commitment to improving on-site productivity.

This trial period allowed our team to work closely with our client in real operational conditions, refine system capabilities, and strengthen cross-team collaboration, setting the foundation for broader industry engagement in the months that followed.

September 2025: HELMS Unveiled at WSG’s AEGC Panel Breakfast

At WSG’s Industry Panel Breakfast seminar “The Latest Geoscience Trends: Accelerating the Road from Discovery to Recovery” the HELMS was officially unveiled.

Hosted by Barry Bourne (Terra Resources), the event brought together industry leaders to discuss automation, live data, and innovation in geoscience.

Expert panellists Andrew Fitzpatrick (Paladin Energy), Jared Townsend (BHP), and Jennifer Market (WSG) provided insights into shifting industry capabilities.

Here the panel audience saw a video of the HELMS in action on a client’s Pilbara mine site.

Late 2025: Move to the Australian Automation & Robotics Precinct (AARP)

A major step forward came when WSG’s engineering department officially moved into the Australian Automation & Robotics Precinct, a world-class test hub for robotics, automation, and zero-emissions technology.

In between client projects in the Pilbara, the engineering teams collaborated at the AARP to capture the vehicle in action, documenting test runs, refining workflows, and continually enhancing the automation capability of the six -tool system.

With access to advanced workshops, test beds, and collaborative spaces, the HELMS team have enjoyed the benefits offered by the state-of-the-art facility.

End of 2025: The HELMS Is Off Again!

As the year wraps up, the HELMS unit is heading back out to site, continuing its role in supporting client operations and driving productivity gains. After a successful year of trials, demonstrations, and industry engagement, the return to the field marks another exciting chapter, bringing enhanced capability, valuable insights, and continued momentum into 2026.

Looking Ahead

The HELMS journey is far from over.

The future focus includes continually listening to client feedback to expand deployment across Australia. With ongoing development at the AARP, client deployments, and new auxiliary technologies in the pipeline, HELMS continues to evolve as one of the industries leading automation projects.

WSG is proud to continue our commitment to Western Australia’s sporting community as a Premier Partner of the Claremont Football Club for the 2025 season.

As a WA-grown business, supporting local talent, fostering community connection, and championing strong grassroots pathways are values deeply aligned with who we are. Our partnership with Claremont Football Club (CFC) reflects our dedication to engaging with organisations that inspire excellence on and off the field.

A Season of Connection, Leadership & Community Impact

Season Launch: Celebrating the Year Ahead

2025 kicked off with an exciting start at the Combined Seniors Season Launch, bringing together Claremont’s Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s teams. The evening featured player interviews, sweepstakes, and a first look at the season ahead.
As sponsors, it was a fantastic chance for WSG to meet the athletes, hear their aspirations, and join in the excitement of the year to come.

Tiger Connect Business Forums: Strong Partnerships Beyond the Field

Throughout 2025, WSG proudly participated in CFC’s Tiger Connect Business Forums. A series of high-calibre networking and leadership events designed to bring together WA industry, community leaders, and the Tigers business network.
Our Managing Director, Matthew Mayne, had the opportunity to share WSG’s story, our connection with CFC, and why partnering with community-focused organisations matters to us.

We also had the privilege of hearing insights from respected leaders including Dale Alcock, Martina Crowley, Peter Bell, Trevor Nisbett, Sara Curtin, and Ashley Prescott; each bringing fresh perspectives on leadership, resilience, and community engagement.
These events highlighted what we value most: collaboration, learning, and building strong WA partnerships.

A Proud Presence on the Field

Seeing the WSG logo on the shorts of Claremont’s league players has been a standout moment for our team, symbolising not only sponsorship but genuine pride in supporting athletes who represent determination, teamwork, and community spirit.
We’ve also enjoyed capturing and celebrating some incredible action shots from game days, showcasing the passion and talent that define the Claremont Tigers.

Celebrating the Tigers’ On-Field Success

2025 has been a year of remarkable achievement for Claremont Football Club:

• WAFLW – Back-to-Back Premierships!
  In a thrilling 1-point victory, the Tigers secured consecutive premierships—an incredible testament to the grit and resilience of the side.
• Rogers Cup – Grand Final Debut
  After finishing fourth, the team fought their way to their first ever Grand Final appearance—an inspiring achievement and a sign of a bright future ahead.
• Record-Breaking Colts Success
  With their latest triumph, Claremont now holds 19 colts premierships, continuing to lead the competition and setting a benchmark for excellence.

These accomplishments reflect the club’s strong culture, commitment to youth development, and the power of community support.

Looking Ahead

At WSG, we believe in the power of a healthy mind, healthy body, and strong community. Our partnership with Claremont Football Club reflects these values, and we look forward to supporting the Tigers throughout another big year ahead.
Here’s to continued success, deeper connections, and a strong 2025 season.
Go Tigers!

Realtime Mineralogy Using Drillhole Geophysics

Downhole geophysics data can provide proxies for mineralogy in near real time both in exploration and production environments.
Understanding mineralogy is essential for profitable mining, particularly as projects are exploiting more complex orebodies with lower-grade ore, often located deeper/less accessible and with significant deleterious elements. Battery metals and rare earths especially depend on detailed knowledge of mineralogy, as many projects are exploring what was essentially considered waste only a decade ago.

Conventional methods for mapping mineralogy are heavily focused on lab assays and core analysis. However, the processing queues are often weeks or months, which can dramatically slow both the exploration and production phases of a project.

Downhole geophysics data is widely acquired in exploration environments around the world. Measurements vary by deposit/application, including televiewer images, gamma, conductivity/resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, density, neutron porosity, NMR, sonic, elemental spectroscopy, induced polarisation, radar imaging, calipers, drilling dynamics, directionality, and flow meters.

Drillhole geophysics data is typically acquired: Wireline, Wireline Memory, In-Rod, MWD/LWD and Application. Geophysics measurements do not directly measure mineralogy, but rather measure attributes of the rock which act as proxies for mineralogy. Due t this it is important to consider the trade-off between having precise mineral mapping from lab data but at sparse intervals and lower precision geophysics-based mineralogy at high spatial density.

Geophysical logs can be used to determine mineralogy, shortening the time between exploration and production. It is effective at several levels, from orebody mapping to more precise mineralisation proxies. Modern platforms allow for near-real time data acquisition, which makes it practical to update the 3D mine models “on the fly” near drilling time.