Diamond Coring

What is Diamond Core Drilling? 

Diamond core drilling is a common technique in the mining and construction industries for collecting hard rock core samples. It is ideal for geotechnical work in semi-consolidated/cemented rock to hard rock environments. Downward pressure and high rotation rates advance drill bits that are faced with diamond impregnated steel. Down pressure and fluid circulation are carefully monitored during drilling. Rock core samples are typically returned using an efficient wireline system. There is a wide selection of drill bits to choose from based on rock hardness, competency, and core sizes.

Why Choose Diamond Core Drilling from Cascade Environmental?


Robust Drilling Technique
 

Our diamond core drilling services are expertly designed for up to 3,250 feet, hard rock formations. Equipped with industrial-grade diamond bits, our drills are capable of handling the most challenging conditions with ease. This ensures that core samples are extracted intact and uncontaminated, providing reliable data for your projects. 

Drill Rig Compatibility 

Cascade's core drilling tools are engineered to be compatible with a wide range of drilling rigs, enhancing flexibility and efficiency in various geological settings. We have specialty wireline coring drills that are specifically manufactured to drill at high rotation speeds for maximum core recovery, penetration rate, and ease of rod tripping. Here are the types of rigs that can be equipped with our diamond core tooling: 

  • Specialty Rock Coring Drill Rigs: Ideal for mining and geotechnical applications, the track mounted LF 70™ and LF 90D™ surface coring rigs are versatile rigs with impressive coring capabilities. The LF-70 core drill is a specialized drilling machine used for consolidated core samples. This drill is typically used for mineral exploration, sand and gravel exploration, geotechnical sampling and analysis. It also has angle drilling capabilities. The LF90D can be used for wireline coring and rotary drilling. It has a telescopic dump mast that allows for compact transport and can be used at angles from 45–90 degrees.

  • Auger Rigs: Ideal for softer, unconsolidated ground or for initial surface penetration, auger rigs can be easily adapted to switch to core drilling when harder layers are encountered.

  • Rotary Rigs: Commonly used in both mineral exploration and environmental drilling, rotary drills with diamond core tooling can penetrate medium to hard rock formations with precision.– Very seldom is wireline coring used on an air or mud rotary drill. Rotation speeds are not fact enough to work efficiently.

  • Sonic Rigs: For rapid drilling through varied geology, sonic rigs can be fitted with diamond core bits to maintain high core integrity and speed, especially useful in complex subsurface conditions.

 

Related Services

Geotechnical Drilling: Essential for construction and mining projects, our geotechnical drilling services help in planning and design by providing precise information about the ground conditions. 

Environmental Drilling: We provide drilling services for site investigation of contamination, monitoring well installation, placing vibrating wire piezometers, and remediation planning. 

Site Characterization: Our site characterization service offers in-depth subsurface assessments, crucial for understanding the environmental and geotechnical conditions of a site, aiding in construction, remediation, and exploration initiatives. 

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