Description

With the aircore method, quick and accurate mineral exploration can be carried out to depths of around 100 metres. Compressed air is forced down between the inner & outer drill rod to operate a venturi vacuum system at the face of the drill bit. This subsequently carries uncontaminated samples up through the inner tube to the cyclone which distributes cuttings at the bottom of the cyclone and releases the air into the atmosphere. Dual tube RC in its numerous forms has many sampling and exploration uses.

Experience

Alton Drilling was the first drilling company in New Zealand to introduce air core drilling to the industry. This was bought about by an extensive ilmanite drilling programme based on the west coast of the South Island, drilling in the excess of 25,000 metres. With the success of this method, air core was then introduced into coal quality drilling on the coast, where it is still being used today. We have also used this method successfully in drilling for alluvial gold deposits in Southland and river sands in Waikato. We believe this method has undeveloped potential in the New Zealand drilling industry.