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Drilling Techniques for Mineral Exploration

This document discusses various drilling techniques used in mineral exploration, including their advantages and disadvantages. It outlines that drilling is an important procedure to delineate subsurface conditions and locate economic mineralization. The three main techniques used in goldfields exploration are RAB (rotary air blast), RC (reverse circulation), and diamond drilling. RAB is the cheapest method that samples to a depth of around 100m but only in weathered rock. RC is more expensive but can reach depths of around 350m and samples fresh rock. Diamond drilling is the most expensive technique but allows the greatest depths of over 1000m and provides whole rock samples and structural data. The appropriate method depends on the exploration stage from early to late.

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Albert Stefen
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222 views17 pages

Drilling Techniques for Mineral Exploration

This document discusses various drilling techniques used in mineral exploration, including their advantages and disadvantages. It outlines that drilling is an important procedure to delineate subsurface conditions and locate economic mineralization. The three main techniques used in goldfields exploration are RAB (rotary air blast), RC (reverse circulation), and diamond drilling. RAB is the cheapest method that samples to a depth of around 100m but only in weathered rock. RC is more expensive but can reach depths of around 350m and samples fresh rock. Diamond drilling is the most expensive technique but allows the greatest depths of over 1000m and provides whole rock samples and structural data. The appropriate method depends on the exploration stage from early to late.

Uploaded by

Albert Stefen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Introduction: An introductory image depicting the theme of drilling for mining operations.
  • Importance of Drilling and Sampling: Discusses the role and significance of drilling in mineral exploration, including economic benefits.
  • Drilling Techniques: Describes three main drilling techniques utilized in goldfields, detailing RAB, RC, and Diamond drilling.
  • Rotary Air Blast (RAB): Explains the RAB drilling method, its applications, benefits, and limitations.
  • Reverse Circulation (RC): Details the RC drilling process, including its advantages and challenges in mineral exploration.
  • Diamond Drilling: Covers the diamond drilling technique highlighting its comprehensive sampling capabilities and drawbacks.
  • Appropriate Drilling Methods: Summarizes which drilling methods are suitable for different exploration stages and conditions.
  • Drilling Summary: Provides a tabular summary of drilling types along with their data parameters, advantages, and disadvantages.

Drilling for Mining

Operations

Importance of Drilling and


Sampling:

Important mineral exploration procedure


Delineate subsurface conditions
Expensive
Number of techniques
Tests ideas and theories developed during
prospect and target generation
LOCATES AND DEFINES ECONOMIC
MINERALISATION

Drilling Techniques
3 main techniques used in Goldfields
RAB (Rotary Air Blast)
RC (Reverse Circulation)
Diamond drilling

Types of drilling
equipment commonly
used in mineral
exploration (Marjoribanks,
1997)

Rotary Air Blast (RAB)

Rotary Air Blast (RAB)

Cheapest
Least penetrative (~100m)
Geochemical sampling to base of regolith (ie
only penetrates weathered cover over fresh
rocks)
Uses compressed air to break ground
Air pumped down through drill rod
Cuttings blown up hole between rod and hole
wall
Single barrel technique

Advantages of RAB drilling:


Cheap
Fast
Large sample volume
Disadvantages of RAB drilling:
No fresh rock samples
Limited depth
No structural data
Contamination

RC drilling and
sampling

Reverse Circulation (RC)

Moderately priced
Good penetration (to ~350m)
Samples fresh rock
Dual barrel technique
High pressure fluid forced down outer pipe
and returns chips to surface up inner pipe

Schematic
presentation
of RC drill rig

Advantages of RC drilling:
Relatively cheap
Quick
Large sample
Uncontaminated
Disadvantages of RC drilling:
Limited access
No structural data
Sample contamination below water table

Diamond Drilling

Expensive
Greatest penetration
Whole rock samples

Advantages of diamond drilling:


Maximum geological information
Uncontaminated
High quality sampling
Disadvantages of diamond drilling:
Expensive
Slow
Small sample size
Extensive site preparation and water
supply required

Core sample (from diamond drilling)

Core boxes at core house, Bulgah gold


mine, KSA (photo taken in 6 Dec. 2006)

Appropriate Drilling Methods


RAB
Early exploration
First pass and infill drilling

RC
Intermediate exploration
Delineate ore body
Grade control

Diamond
Late stage
Structural controls

Drilling
Drill Type

Data

Advantages

Disadvantages

Auger

Geochemical sampling, top


few metres of
unconsolidated material

Portable, usually
Landcruiser mounted,
uncontaminated sample,
Quick, cheap

Poor penetration

Rotary Air Blast (RAB)

Geochemical sampling to
base of regolith

Large sample volume.


Quick and cheap. Rock
chips

Won
Wont penetrate hard rock.
Sample contamination.
Limited depth. No structural
data

Air Core

Geochemical sampling into


bedrock

Minimal contamination.
Quick and cheap. Some
core recovery

Small sample size

Reverse Circulation

Geochemical sampling in
hard and soft rocks at
greater than 200m depth

Large sample.
Uncontaminated. Rock chip
returns. Relatively quick
and cheap

Large heavy rig. No


structural data. Possible
sample contamination
below water table

Diamond

High quality sampling to


greater than 1000km.
Geological understanding

Maximum geological
information.
Uncontaminated high
quality sample. Accurate
hole positioning

Site preparation and water


supply required. Small
sample size. Slow.
Expensive

Marjoribanks, 1997

Drilling for Mining Drilling for Mining Operations Operations
Importance of Drilling and Importance of Drilling and Sampling: Sampling: •• Important mineral exploration procedure Import
Drilling Techniques Drilling Techniques •• 3 main techniques used in Goldfields 3 main techniques used in Goldfields –– RAB (
Types of drilling equipment commonly used in mineral exploration (Marjoribanks, 1997)
Rotary Air Blast (RAB) Rotary Air Blast (RAB)
Rotary Air Blast (RAB) Rotary Air Blast (RAB) •• Cheapest Cheapest •• Least penetrative (~100m) Least penetrative (~100m) ••
Advantages of RAB drilling: Advantages of RAB drilling: •• Cheap Cheap •• Fast Fast •• Large sample volume Large sample volum
RRC drilling and C drilling and sampling sampling
Reverse Circulation (RC) Reverse Circulation (RC) •• Moderately priced Moderately priced •• Good penetration (to ~350m) Good
Schematic presentation of RC drill rig

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