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Exploration Diamond Core Drilling is a procedure used in the mining industry to evaluate the potential yield of known ore deposits and quality of those deposits by sinking a drill bit which withdraws a core sample of a small diameter core of rock from the ore body. It also analysis the quantity of the ore deposit which covers a broad area. Geologists analyze the core by chemical assay and conduct petrologic, structural and mineralogy studies of the rock.

S4A has strong fleet of Eleven Diamond Core Drilling Rigs to run against the challenges of Exploration Drilling

Diamond Core Drill Rig	2 Nos	LF 70 from Boart Longyear (Non older than 2009 model)
	4 Nos	LF 90 from Boart Longyear (Model 2010 & 2011)
	5Nos	CS 14 from Atlas Copco (Model 2008, 2009 & 2010)
Type of Rig	Wire Line Diamond Core Drilling Rig
Drilling Capacity	Minimum 50 mtrs – Maximum 1400 mtrs – depending on diameter of the hole
Number of Rigs	PQ – 400 Mtr, HQ – 900 Mtr, NQ – 1400 Mtr
Hole Inclination	Not less than -45°
Drilling Sizes	PQ, HQ, NQ

Diamond core drilling (exploration diamond drilling) utilizes an annular diamond-impregnated drill bit attached to the end of hollow drill rods to cut a cylindrical core of solid rock. The diamonds used are fine to micro fine industrial grade diamonds. They are set within a matrix of varying hardness, from brass to high-grade steel. Matrix hardness, diamond size and dosing can be varied according to the rock which must be cut. Holes within the bit allow water to be delivered to the cutting face. This provides three essential functions — lubrication, cooling, and removal of drill cuttings from the hole.

Diamond drilling is much slower than reverse circulation (RC) drilling due to the hardness of the ground being drilled. Drilling of 1000 to 1400 metres is common and at these depths, ground is mainly hard rock. Diamond rigs need to drill slowly to lengthen the life of drill bits and rods, which are very expensive.

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