Company: KoBold Metals Company

Patent: Induction loop for mineral exploration

Innovation in Electromagnetic Surveying

This invention fundamentally upgrades how electromagnetic induction is utilized in the field. Traditional mineral exploration tools often struggle with signal interference and limited depth penetration. This new patent solves these issues by employing a first electrically conducting loop made of multiple lengths of specialized composite tubing. Furthermore, it introduces a second electrically conducting loop that remains entirely electrically isolated from the first. When a control module and signal generator vary the current, it produces a highly precise excitation magnetic field. This composite material design paired with isolated looping significantly boosts the signal clarity, allowing geologists to detect critical battery metals like copper, lithium, and cobalt with unprecedented accuracy.

Patent of the Month: July 2026

This induction loop technology has been awarded the Patent of the Month for the mining industry in July 2026 due to its immediate and profound impact on global resource development. As the demand for clean energy materials reaches all-time highs this year, exploration costs and environmental concerns have also surged. By drastically reducing false positives and unnecessary drilling, this hardware breakthrough provides a vital, cost-effective tool for the mining sector. Its ability to integrate seamlessly with modern artificial intelligence data platforms makes it the standout technological achievement in geophysics for the month of July 2026.

Qualifying for the USA R&D Tax Credit

The practical applications of this patent make it a prime candidate for the Research and Development tax credit under Section 41 of the US Internal Revenue Code. For a mining or tech company to qualify, the development and application activities must meet the IRS four-part test. First, applying this induction loop technology to create new subsurface mapping techniques serves a permitted purpose by improving the overall discovery process. Second, the design and field implementation rely heavily on the hard sciences of physics and electromagnetism, satisfying the technological in nature requirement. Third, configuring the isolated composite loops and calibrating the signal generator for different geological terrains involves a rigorous process of experimentation. Finally, this iterative field testing eliminates technical uncertainty regarding the magnetic field capability and soil penetration. Consequently, the labor, supplies, and contractor costs associated with adapting and testing this advanced induction system can make a company highly eligible for lucrative R&D tax incentives in the USA.