Compared to core drilling, RC drilling with inherently faster penetration rates provides several benefits:

• Direct drilling cost reductions in the range of 25% to 40%.
• Faster completion of drill programs with quicker delivery of results.
• Reduced man-hours at the drill with decreased exposure to potential accidents.
• Reduced contractor activity in the mine reduces mine support burden.
• Indirect cost reductions gained from a simplified sampling process.

RC samples are collected at the drill and sent directly to the assay lab. Unlike diamond drill core, which is generally logged, photographed, split for sample, assayed and warehoused, RC sampling requires much less handling resulting in faster assay turnaround with accompanying cost reductions.

Larger volume RC samples often give more representative gold samples than split half core samples.

Common Concerns Associated
with Underground RC Drilling

Dust Control
Exposure to dust underground is a major health and safety concern.

• Dust produced from RC drilling is eliminated either by drilling ‘wet’ or by drilling ‘dry’ with dust control equipment.

Borehole Deviation
RC holes often deviate more than core holes.

• Borehole deviation can be effectively controlled with the proper combination of bit designs and stabilizers.

Equipment Size
The mobile RC/Core Combination Drill utilizes more and bigger equipment than an underground core drill and it requires a larger drill station. This is the trade-off for greater drilling versatility and flexibility. The easiest and most convenient drill set-ups are from exploration or inactive mine drifts.

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