Diamond Coring PQ3, HQ3 & NQ3

Diamond Core drilling involves using a hollow drill bit that has been impregnated with an industrial-grade diamond crown to cut a cylindrical core through solid rock. As the drill bit penetrates rock, a core is extracted in a solid cylinder and is winched to the surface through the centre of the drill rod in complete sections. This produces a rock sample that can be analysed for mineral content and also shows the structure of the cored interval.

Diamond Core drilling is used across all stages of the mine lifecycle and is the predominant drilling method used underground for exploration and ore grade identification. The main reasons for this are:

  • The need for lighter equipment suitable for shaft and decline access
  • The capability to set up in confined areas
  • The capability to drill deep holes in all directions
  • To minimise ventilation and power requirements
  • Substantially more detailed geological information can be obtained from a drill core than from sampling rock chips