Ecuador’s Instituto de Investigación Geológico y Energético (IIGE) has selected AGP Geospatial Company, Airbus’s official satellite data reseller in Ecuador, to deliver high-precision WorldDEM™ Neo elevation data as part of a major national geological initiative.
© DLR e.V. (2017-2021), and © Airbus Defence and Space GmbH (2023)
Funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, the project “Acquisition of Satellite Imagery and Digital Elevation Models for the Development of the Geological Research and Mineral Resource Availability Project in Ecuador” aims to enhance understanding of Ecuador’s geological landscape and mineral potential. The WorldDEM Neo data delivery, executed between 8 April and 25 April 2025, covers a significant 45,765 km² of the country’s most strategic regions.
WorldDEM Neo, derived from Airbus’s TanDEM-X radar satellite constellation, provides consistent 5 metre resolution and industry-leading vertical accuracy. This next-generation elevation model delivers vital geospatial intelligence to support detailed geological modeling, mineral occurrence analysis, and the strategic planning of sustainable exploration.
The integration of WorldDEM Neo into IIGE’s research framework marks a milestone in Ecuador’s digital geoscience capabilities. With Airbus Earth observation technology, institutions like IIGE gain powerful tools to evaluate terrain morphology, identify mineral-rich zones, and drive resource assessments with greater precision and confidence.
Delivering Airbus’s most advanced elevation model to IIGE marks a key milestone for both AGP Geospatial and national scientific progress, It reaffirms our role in connecting Ecuador with world-class Earth observation solutions to power knowledge-based decision-making.
Santiago Sghirla
President of AGP Geospatial Company
This initiative demonstrates Airbus’ vital contribution to public sector innovation through Earth observation. As a trusted partner to governments and research institutions worldwide, Airbus enables its customers to make data-driven decisions that strengthen environmental stewardship, resource management and sustainable national development.
