Trends in exploration

Necessity of mineral exploration production, survival and expansion.These activities are under taken on a more or less continuous basis by the internal organization of individual companies, by contractors, or by funding junior companies. Historically, spending on exploration is cyclical, and tends to follow metal and mineral prices and the general business trend.

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Geology for exploration and mining

A thorough understanding of the geology of a mineral deposit is fundamental to its successful exploitation. As such, geology is a vital factor in the process of selecting methods in exploration and mining. This article reviews basic aspects of geology that may affect decisions about exploration and mining. Atlas Copco offers a full range of drilling products for site investigation, and for mine development and production.

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Prospecting and exploration or minerals

For a geologist in the mining business, exploiting an existing orebody is the easy part of the job. The hardest part is to find new ore deposits and to define their extent and metal content (grade). But how do you find these accumulations of metallic minerals in the earth's crust and how can the mining company ensure that the depositis are economically viable for a sufficiently long period of time?

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In search of the right balance - chips or cores?

The question often faced by geologists is deciding which method of exploration drilling will get he most effective and economical results. Core drilling, Reverse Circulation drilling (RC), or a combination of the two?

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An introduction to Reverse Circulation drilling

Reverse Circulation drilling is a fast and cost efficient method of retrieving high quality samples from exploration and mine drilling. The system has been continuously developed since its inception in Australia in the early 1970s, and is now a preferred method for initial exploration, ore body development and in-pit grade control. Any method is only as good as the equipment developed around it, and Atlas Copco has called on the experience of drillers worldwide in order to perfect its offering.

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Reverse circulation drilling with new hammer concept

Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling is gaining recognition and is already the most common mineral exploration drilling method used in many regions of the world. Combined with the Secoroc RC 50 hammer it is unbeatable for obtaining accurate and uncontaminated rock samples at high speed and low cost. Atlas Copco produces the complete RC drill string including hammer, bit and pipes, for both in-pit grade control and exploration drillers. Mounted on a choice of Explorac 220RC, Explorac R50, ROC L8RC and RD10 rigs, the system is the most productive available.

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Four decades of Diamec core drilling rigs

For the last 20 years, core drilling rigs have been following the same trend as most other construction equipment, moving from mechanical to hydraulic transmission. In core drilling, there are three main activities that control the productive effort: drilling, rod handling, transport and setting up of the rig. This article compares these functions in both hydraulic and mechanical rigs.

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Selecting the right core bit

Drilling with a core bit is introduced at an advanced stage of the exploration operation, by which time substantial resources have already been spent. The quality and continuity of the captured core is crucial in the assessment of a potential mine, making the core bit a key component of a core drilling rig. Core bit selection is based on the size and depth of hole and the hardness of the rock, taking into account the rig capacity and condition, the flushing medium, and the skills of the driller. Atlas Copco manufactures the entire range of core drilling tools, and will recommend and supply the type and designation most suited to the application.

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Efficient core recovery

The end users of exploration core drilling products are generally in the business of, and compensated for, providing representative and quality physical core samples to their customers, so nobody wins without “putting core in the box”.

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Hydraulic and mechanical surface drill rigs

Core drilling rigs are designed to rotate the drill string, while providing pressure, to produce the core. In the core drilling industry, as in general construction, there is a clear development trend towards fully hydraulic rigs rather than the older mechanical rigs.The core drilling rig population can be divided according to whether they work on surface or underground. Most mechanical rigs are currently employed as surface machines. This section describes the general principles for mechanical and hydraulic surface exploration rigs.

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Keep the rig and business running

Every business decision is based on the return on investment, regardless of whether the customer is purchasing a single machine or a whole fleet of drill rigs. The challenge is to maximize the return on investment in every decision made, day after day. Atlas Copco always recommends what is best for individual customers, based on years of experience striving to gain the most economic and efficient performance on thousands of rigs in the full range of environments, worldwide.