Exploration diamond drilling

Exploration diamond drilling is used in the mining industry to probe the contents of known ore deposits and potential sites.

It is also often used in the geotechnical engineering industry for foundation testing in conjunction with soil sampling methods.

Before the invention of the portable diamond drill, most mineral prospecting was limited to finding outcrops at the surface and hand digging.

[5] An actual diamond bit is a complex affair, usually designed for a specific rock type, with many channels for washing.

[7] Merely advancing the drill by rotary action (and washing) causes a core to be extracted inside the barrel as shown.

Unfortunately, many applications require an undisturbed core in fractured rock, which calls for elaborate wire-line devices.