Description
Operate diamond and wireline core drilling rigs to extract continuous core samples for mineral exploration, geotechnical, and environmental investigations. Set up, align, and stabilize rigs; manage drilling fluids and tooling; and maintain equipment to ensure safe, efficient coring in varied formations.
- • Regulate rotation speed, feed pressure, torque, and fluid circulation to match formation conditions.
- • Verify depths, collar elevations, and borehole alignments.
- • Start, stop, and control drilling speed and the insertion or removal of casing.
- • Select appropriate core rig, barrel size (PQ/HQ/NQ), and bit type based on geology and sample needs.
- • Operate controls to level, stabilize, and align the mast and drill.
- • Attach core bits, core barrels, and drill rods; add rods as depth increases; change tooling as needed.
- • Drill core holes for mineral exploration, geotechnical sampling, and environmental assessments.
- • Operate pumps to circulate water or drilling fluids to cool bits and clear cuttings.
- • Position truck- or track-mounted rigs, level pads, and extend masts or derricks.
- • Perform routine maintenance, rebuild or dress bits, replace wear parts, and lubricate machinery.
- • Drive support trucks or truck-mounted drills to and from job sites.
- • Record drilling progress, penetration rates, core recovery, and geological data.
- • Retrieve lost rods, wireline tools, or other downhole equipment using fishing tools.
- • Assemble and position rigs, casing, rod handlers, and ancillary equipment using hand and power tools.
- • Mix and manage drilling fluids and additives to optimize core recovery and hole stability.
- • Operate wireline systems to retrieve core; pull rods and extract core tubes.
- • Label, orient, photograph, and box core; prepare samples for transport or laboratory analysis.
- • Install surface casing, hole plugs, and protective covers to maintain hole integrity and site safety.
- • Review client requirements, targets, and proposed drilling locations to determine feasibility and costs.
- • Signal crane or forklift operators to move rods, casing, and heavy equipment.
- • Inspect core to identify lithology, structures, mineralization, and geotechnical features.
- • Lay out drill hole collars and planned azimuths and dips according to drill plans and ground conditions.
- • Monitor pressure gauges, fluid returns, and equipment sounds to assess conditions and adjust parameters.
- • Document geological formations encountered during drilling.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
