Diamond/Core Drilling

Diamond drilling is the most common style of exploration drilling.  This method produces a solid cylindrical core of solid rock that is extracted for examination. Core sampling provides the most accurate assessment of the deposit.  Core drilling is slower than reverse circulation or RAB drilling.  The core sample may be split longitudinally if required and half sent for assay while the other half may be stored for re-assaying. The drill bit is mounted onto a drill stem, which is connected to a rotary drill. The bit has holes that allow water to be delivered to the cutting face to lubricate and cool bits and rods as well as remove drill cuttings from the hole. The diamond drill bits are designed for specific rock types and different rock formations require different matrix drill bits.