On May 13, 2025, Australian startup Earth AI announced the discovery of a significant indium deposit approximately 310 miles northwest of Sydney. Indium, a rare metal essential for manufacturing solar panels, LCD screens, and semiconductors, has been predominantly sourced from China. This find marks a pivotal step toward diversifying the global supply chain for this critical mineral.

Earth AI utilized its proprietary artificial intelligence models to analyze geological patterns, leading to the identification of this deposit. Assay results indicated indium concentrations of up to 117 parts per million. The company plans to commence drilling operations at the Kooranjie Project site to further assess the deposit's potential.

Founded in 2017, Earth AI specializes in AI-driven geological exploration. The company's Mineral Targeting Platform (MTP) analyzes vast geological datasets to predict subsurface conditions favorable for mineralization. This approach has significantly improved discovery success rates, achieving a 75% success rate compared to the industry average of 0.5%. Earth AI's proprietary low-disturbance drilling technology further enhances efficiency and reduces environmental impact.

In January 2025, Earth AI secured $20 million in Series B funding led by Tamarack Global and Cantos Ventures. The funds are intended to enhance AI and drilling technology development and expand the project pipeline to over 50 sites. The company plans to increase drilling capacity to 100,000 meters annually at a cost of approximately $100 per meter.

The discovery of indium in Australia has several implications:

• Environmental: Earth AI's low-disturbance drilling technology minimizes environmental impact, aligning with sustainable mining practices.

• Economic: Diversifying the indium supply chain can stabilize prices and reduce geopolitical risks associated with reliance on a single country.

• Technological: Increased availability of indium supports the growth of industries reliant on this metal, such as renewable energy and electronics.

Earth AI's discovery exemplifies the growing role of AI in mineral exploration. The find has significant implications for technology industries reliant on indium and for global supply chain dynamics.