Aug. 26, 2024
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&#;Drilling is the process of penetrating through the ground and extracting rocks from various depths beneath the surface for confirming the geology beneath and/or providing samples for chemical analysis. The tip of the drill is known as a drill-bit, which is attached to the longitudinal drill-rod and penetrates the ground to form boreholes from which rock is collected. Because the rocks produced from drilling can be assigned to specific depths, this method is extremely important for determining the types and structures of the rocks underneath our feet. It is therefore also widely used outside mineral exploration, including investigating the strength of ground prior to the building of infrastructure (geotechnical engineering) and for groundwater studies. Logging is the process whereby the resultant sample is studied and recorded by a geologist to give definitive boundaries between different rock types and develop the picture of the geology below the surface. Assaying is the process of analysing the rock in a laboratory to measure the precise chemical composition of the samples, and is particularly important for investigating the metal contents of potential ore bodies. The dimension of the borehole is usually be 10-30cm in diameter and can range anywhere from 10s of metres to 100s of metres in length. Depending on the purpose and budget of the project, there are several types of drilling methods available, but reverse circulation and diamond are by far the most common for mineral exploration. However, in Ireland, rotary auger drilling in some places can be an additional option, which may also be used for geological mapping purposes.
Drill rig with rotary auger attached.
RC is a quicker and less expensive form of drilling which produces small centimetre-millimetre-sized rock chips. The RC drill bit is known as the down-hole hammer and acts just like one: it is made of a tungsten-steel compound and uses percussive force to create the borehole through breaking-up and crushing the underlying rock. The RC drill rod has a hollow centre and a hole also in the middle of the drill bit, allowing the resulting rock chips to ascend upwards through the rod to the surface where they are collected, logged and &#; if required &#; assayed. The force required to penetrate through hard rock is supplied by very high-pressure air, which is generated within an adjoining cyclone and travels through the wall of the rod. When this air reaches the end of the borehole it also acts to flush the rock chips up through the core of the rod. Because the rock is crushed up, it means the resulting rock chips do not preserve the fabric of any structures within the rock.
In addition to being a relatively cheaper type of drilling, in certain ground conditions RC may be the only viable method as it is relatively insensitive to ground conditions (broken rock, permafrost, glacial till etc.) which may prove problematic for other drill rigs. Additionally, due to the use of high-pressure air, recovery of delicate rock types such as clay is still achieved at a satisfactory level, whereas other drilling methods may be prone to lose some of the quantity of such samples. An extremely useful advantage of RC is that it requires no water, and so it is a more environmentally-sensitive option where local water resources are scarce. However, in Irish mineral exploration, diamond is by far the most popular method (see below), and so much of the RC drilling in Ireland is done to create boreholes for the finding and monitoring of groundwater.
Diamond is the hardest (readily available) naturally occurring substance in the world, and so finds itself an invaluable material in the process of drilling through extremely strong rocks such as granite and basalt. It is the most expensive form of drilling, however unlike RC, is capable of recovering an unaltered cylindrical core of rock, which preserves the structural details of the geology below. The Geological Survey Ireland's core storage facility in Sandyford houses a large proportion of such core that has been extracted from mineral exploration in Ireland over the previous decades.
The drill bit is studded with diamonds and acts a rotary-cutting motion on the rock to produce the borehole, and due to a hollow centre in the drill bit and drill rod, allows a cylindrical core to be preserved. As the drilling continues, a wire/rope is sent down the middle of the rod which then attaches to the resulting core and pulls it up to the surface in segments. These are then stored in trays of approximately 1m length. Core in this form is also extracted during geotechnical studies, which uses these 1m core intervals to measure the density of fractures in the rock, and from this its strength is calculated. However, unlike RC drilling, the rotary action of the drill bit generates enormous friction heat, and so a steady supply of water is required to cool the drill bit, which also acts to flush out any abrasive rock fragments.
Diamond is a very expensive method of drilling, however can be used to determine the nature and angle of the ore body at its margins where it is in contact with the surrounding rock types. Therefore, despite its increased costs, it can provide vital details which RC cannot.
Boxed diamond-drilled core in approximately 1m intervals.
Rotary auger is on the lower end of drilling in terms of cost and set-up, and is effectively a larger, mechanized version of a soil auger attached to a vehicle rig. During the ice ages in Ireland, extensive movement of glaciers across the country has resulted in the accumulation of significant loose rock and boulders known as till. Therefore when this material needs to be dug through or sampled up to a maximum of about 30m, rotary auger drilling offers a quicker, cheaper form suited to handle this less vigorous task where the rock layers are soft or loose. This is useful in mineral exploration for sampling till to find minerals of interest, and following any occurrences back in the opposite direction of glacial movement to try and locate the metals' source. However, it is also useful for reaching the bedrock layer for geological mapping, as well as sampling for environmental and geotechnical purposes.
Due to the costs of drilling, it is usually a late step in the mineral exploration process. If previous work has yielded sufficiently successful results, drilling may eventually be used to physically confirm any mineralisation, and further develop the geological picture. After drilling a sufficient number of holes to satisfy the geologists that there is/isn't an ore body of a certain size and quality (and in the vast majority of cases it is the latter!), the decision may be made to develop a mine in conjunction with legal environmental requirements. Ireland has a long history of lead and zinc mining, in addition to modern strict environmental regulation, requiring the mining company to invest a significant amount of money to satisfy these requirements. Hence only in locations deemed suitably metal-enriched will mine-setup be considered a profitable venture. However, even if the decision to mine goes ahead, the exploration doesn't stop there, and will continue alongside mining to continue to define a more specific geometry of the ore body. For more information, please see the dedicated FAQs page.
Core drilling plays a vital role in mining exploration and resource assessment. It provides valuable insights into the geology and structure of the subsurface, enabling mining companies to make informed decisions and optimize their operations.
Mining and exploration activities require accurate and reliable information about the subsurface geology and mineral resources. Core drilling, a widely used technique in the mining industry, plays a crucial role in obtaining this essential information. It involves the extraction of cylindrical rock samples, or cores, from the earth&#;s crust, providing valuable insights into the composition, structure, and potential mineralization of a given area.
Core drilling is an indispensable tool for mining companies as it helps them make informed decisions and optimize their operations. By analyzing the recovered core samples, geologists and engineers can identify valuable minerals, determine the grade and quality of the ore body, and assess the feasibility and economic viability of mining projects.
With competitive price and timely delivery, coredrillpros. sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
During the planning phase, careful consideration is given to site selection, target depth, and geological knowledge. This phase involves conducting thorough research and analyzing existing data to identify the most promising locations for drilling. Planning helps minimize costs and ensures that drilling efforts are focused on areas with high mineralization potential.
Once the planning phase is complete, the mobilization phase begins. Resources, personnel, and equipment are mobilized to the drilling site. This includes core drilling rigs, drilling tools, safety equipment, and support systems. Proper mobilization ensures that all necessary resources are available for a smooth and efficient drilling operation.
The drilling phase involves using core drilling rigs to penetrate the subsurface and extract core samples. Core drilling rigs are designed for deep drilling and are capable of reaching greater depths compared to other drilling methods. As the drill bit rotates and cuts through the subsurface, cylindrical samples called core are collected.
Once the drilling is complete, the next phase is core recovery. The extracted core samples are carefully collected and preserved to prevent any loss or damage. Specialized equipment and techniques are used to handle the core samples and ensure their integrity. Proper handling and preservation of the core samples are crucial as they provide crucial geological information such as the composition, structure, and potential presence of minerals.
After the core samples are recovered, they undergo geological logging. This phase involves a detailed examination and analysis of the physical properties of the core, including color, texture, and mineralogy. Geologists use their expertise to interpret these properties and gain insights into the geological characteristics of the area. Geological logging helps in understanding the formation conditions, identifying mineralized zones, and determining the potential for further exploration and resource estimation.
To enhance the understanding of the subsurface, the core samples may undergo various analytical tests. These tests can include chemical analysis, mineralogical studies, and geotechnical assessments. Analytical testing provides valuable data on the mineral content, grade, and quality of the deposit. These results are used in resource evaluation and to determine the economic viability of potential mining operations.
Once all the data from the core drilling process and analytical testing is collected, geoscientists interpret the information to gain insights into the mineralization potential, structural features, and other important aspects of the deposit. This data interpretation helps in generating comprehensive reports that include geological interpretations, resource estimates, and recommendations for future exploration or mining activities. These reports serve as essential references for making informed decisions and planning future mining operations.
At Start Your Own Gold Mine, we understand the importance of core drilling in mining operations. We are dedicated to providing high-quality and affordable services to our clients in East Africa.
In East Africa, Start Your Own Gold Mine is a leading provider of core drilling services. With a commitment to excellence, affordability, and safety, we offer the most cost-effective 30-meter deep core drilling services in the region. Our dedicated team of professionals, cutting-edge equipment, and expertise in the field ensure that our clients receive accurate and reliable geological information to make informed mining decisions.
For 30 meter deep core drilling, we offer the most affordable services in all of East Africa, guaranteed. Our expert team, state-of-the-art equipment, and commitment to safety and efficiency make us the ideal choice for your core drilling needs.
To learn more about our services and discuss your specific requirements, please visit our webpage here. Contact us today to start your successful mining journey.
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