1

CORE LOGGING

Presenter:
Geologist: Mohamed Gafer Yousif
 INTRODUCTION
2

Mineral exploration is a critical aspect of the mining industry

that requires precision and attention to detail to ensure
success. One of the key components of this process is logging
core samples, which provide important information about the
mineral content of an ore body. In this article, we will discuss
the basics of logging core samples for mineral exploration
and the importance of accurate and thorough sample logging
3

What is it?
Introduction Drill core
to Core
Logging Core Logging
Purpose and Importance
Preparing for core logging
4

What is drill core?

• Drill core is a cylinder of rock or sediment
• Mechanically drilled and retrieved from the
subsurface by a drill rig
• Used to better understand the stratigraphy and
geological structures of the subsurface
5

Core logging is the

process of
systematically
observing measuring
and recording
characteristic of the
drill core
6

To obtain as much
Purpose
information as passible in

Purpose order to identify and define

the potential mineral deposit
by describing:
❑ Lithology (Rock type )
❑ Structure
❑ Alteration zone
❑ Geochemistry (chose sampling
❑ Stratigraphy and
interpretation of the
geological history
7

Why is it important?

AS EXPLORATION
CORE LOGS ARE USED TO THE QUALITY OF CORE GEOLOGISTS,
MODEL CORE LOGGING IS ONE OF
LOGGING IS CRITICAL TO ACCURATE
POTENTIAL ORE DEPOSITS, THE
REPORTING OF MINERAL MOST IMPORTANT &
DETERMINE SIZE, GRADE, AND
RESOURCES AT ALL STAGES OF FREQUENT
MINE FEASIBILITY JOBS THE INDUSTRY NEEDS
EXPLORATION AND MINING US
FOR
 Getting
8 Started

• Review previous • Gather your • Put the core

Prepare
TOOLS
Research

reports core logging boxes onto

• field work tools and tables
• maps of the programs/templ • measure and
area ates write hole
• get an idea of depths on the
the potential core and set up
lithologies your core
logging program
 Core Logging Supplies
9

Hand
lance
pencils
for Camera
writing
on core

Scribe Core
(for
scratchi Logging HCl
ng)
Supplies

Spray Sample
Bottle tags

Measuri
ng Tags
 Setting up the core
10

❖ Drill core when delivered to the core yard is likely to have moved due to road conditions
while being transported. Prior to logging the Field Assistant (Sampler, Geotechnician,
etc.) must ensure that the drill core is marked-up and the following tasks completed

❖ Lay out the core boxes - top left is shallower, bottom right is deeper

❖ fit the drill core back together. If drill core is broken or has been ground, use any
geological features observed (rock type, foliation, colour, veining, etc.) to assist with
fitting the drill core back together.
11

Up hole

Down hole
prepered by: Mohamed jafer - Saria Jamal
 Key Components of logging core
12

❖ Description of the lithology (the physical characteristic of the rock)

❖ Mineral identification and quantification

❖ Structural analysis

❖ Alteration mineral mapping

❖ Core recovery estimation

❖ Geotechnical properties

❖ Assaying (determining the mineral contact).

 geotechnical parameters
13

Fracture
Recovery frequency

Rock Quality Designation

(RQD)
14
 Identifying lithology
15

Overview Look at all the core before diving into the details
Take note of anything that jumps out at you!

Divide & Divide core into representative units &

Describe describe them
Don’t be afraid to pick it up, look at all sides, and think about
Pick it up how it was positioned in the
Don’t be afraid ground
to pick it up, look at all sides, and think about
*Use a placeholder when you pick it up and take note of its orientation
 Identifying lithology
16

1. identifying 2.Discribe 3. Determine

contact lithology
• Sharp • Color • Diorite
• Gradational • Texture • Granite
• Diffuse • Alteration • Marble
• Obscure • Minerology • Andisite
• Other
 Sharp Contact between layers

17

It appears on the core box and it depend on the core recovery :

1. Full recovery ( easily determine by meter).
2. Un full recovery:
When we have a core loss and after that there is a new rock unit we have to shift the contact to the
loss area a little bit we can apply that by the formula below:
X (the approximate beginning of the ore) = Recovery(by meter)* start of contact (beginning of the
ore on the core box)/core run(total by meter).
 Structure logging
18

Foliation

Veins/veinlets

Fault/Shear
zones

Joints

Fractures

Schistosity
 Structural logging
19

❖ Logging structure is probably the harder thing to log – especially if you have
small scale features.
❖ Large structure components like Fault Gouges are easier, lithological contacts are
easy, however small micro-faulting and micro-structure may be difficult to
discribe
❖ Systematically divide the core out into its basic component units. Marking the
beginning/end of any colour, textural, alteration and lithology. These contacts
will be sharp or gradational, choose symbols to denote gradational or sharp
contacts. If there is a sharp contact, mark the angle of the contact and note the
alteration.
 Measuring Structure
20

❖In unoriented core structures

are measured from core axis

Core Axis 000/180
❖Core axis = along length of the core

❖Core axis considered 000/180 when

measured structure.

❖ Measurements should be marked

on the core and recorded in the log

 Alteration logging
21

❖ In most cases in hard rock core logging alteration is a large part of the

mineralogy. It tells you where the rock has changed – like from fluid movement or

contact with a heat source This is especially true in vein style gold deposits.

❖ The alteration of the right type usually will denote mineralization and ore zones.

❖ Alteration is most easily noted by colour or hardness changes.

 Core sampling
22

The Geologist must demarcate the sample interval on the drill core while logging. The sample intervals
must be clearly visible to the Field Assistant (Sampler, Geotechnician, etc) who will cut the core and bag
the sample. The following are some guidelines:

❖ The minimum sample length should be determined after consultation with the Primary Laboratory.
Typically the minimum sample length to repeat sample analysis a number of times, if there are issues
at the laboratory, is 25cm. The maximum length should not exceed 100cm.

❖ When determining sample lengths for a mineralized zone, background knowledge of the deposit and
mineralization style allied with underground or surface observations are important. Often it is tempting
to increase sample lengths to reduce sample numbers.

❖ Sample lengths should be based on the geology of the mineralized zone and should attempt to
capture different phases of veining, i.e. bucky barren quartz, quartz carbonate, quartz stockworks and
mineralized quartz. Grouping quartz phases into one sample may not be representative of the whole
and may obscure low grade sections or inflate high grade sections.
 Core Sampling
❖
23 In zones with pronounced sulphones, the Geologist must take cognisance of the nugget factor, e.g. a

50cm zone when sampled whole may return 40.0g/t, however when sampled as two 25cm intervals
the values returned may be 75.0g/t and 5.0g/t. Although this still equates to an average of
40.0g/t, it highlights the nuggety nature of the zone which will be important when applying top-cuts
to samples when estimating the mineral resource.

❖ The top and bottom contacts of a mineralized zone should include at least three centimeters of the
host waste rock. Quartz veins often naturally break at their contacts; it is tempting for the Geologist
to use this as a sample contact. This approach is not recommended because it could lead to some
smearing of grade to samples immediately outside the zone of interest.
❖ A one meter sample either side of the mineralized zone should be demarcated to ensure that there
is no mineralization outside the mineralized zone.

❖ The internal waste between mineralized veins that are two meters apart should be sampled; if they
are four meters apart there is no need to sample the whole waste zone. A one meter sample either
side of the mineralized zone will suffice.
❖ Quartz stringers separated by internal waste zones should be grouped into one sample similarly for
quartz stockwork zones.

❖ Sample depth intervals should be marked on the side of the drill core to be retained.
24
 GEOLOGICAL DATABASE
25

Geological data is the foundation for estimating and assessing mineral

resources, therefore managing and utilising all available data including,
geology, geography, aeromagnetics, gravity, ground geophysical surveys,
geochemistry and laboratory analytical results, is very significant. All
major mining companies have migrated data to commercially available
front-end Geoscientific Information Management System (GIMS)
databases, which facilitate data entry and export, validation, QA/QC
and reporting. Most intersection with the database is through these
systems. The following sections, detail current practices at MGBM mine
sites, and the way forward to achieve 2012 JORC Code compliance.
 Methods for recording observations
26

❖Programs exist but are too expensive for many juniors.

❖MS Access database or MS excel templates common.

❖Customized preset codes in drop down menus, combined

with columns for modal % and structural measurements.

27

Mineralization
mineral provided,
input modal %
28
29
DRILL CORE PHOTOGRAPHS
30

One of the most important things to do at the drill rig photograph, all drill core must be
photographed using a digital camera. Quality photographs will ensure that drill core
can be viewed in its natural state if issues arise and they can also be used to check the
mark-up. This is opposed to re-handling stored drill core which may have deteriorated
over time, from storage outdoors and exposer to the elements. The following are some
guidelines:
❖ Set up one location in the core yard for drill core photography, this will ensure that all
images are taken under similar conditions.
❖ Do not photograph drill core until the mark-up has been completed.
❖ Use one photograph per core tray box. Avoid using core trays that do not fit into a
typical photographic frame.
❖ Prior to taking the photograph, the marker board must be clearly labeled with drill
hole number, core tray number and the depth interval being viewed (depth from / to).
DRILL CORE PHOTOGRAPHS
31

When taking a photograph the follow is recommended:

Wet down the drill core just before taking the photograph.
Orientate the drill core properly in the core tray.
Keep the core tray out of direct sunlight to prevent shadows and reflections.
Orient the camera at right angles to the centre point of the core tray making sure that the
marker board is also in the frame.
Determine a suitable height above the core tray and make this a standard practice, this will
ensure that all photographs for the drill hole and future drill holes are similar.
Avoid using a flash as this reflects off wet drill core surfaces.
❖ After taking the photograph check the quality and re-take the photograph if necessary.
❖ Use standard colour bar scales in the photograph to prevent colour shift.
❖ Store digital images in a permanent directory as Image File Format (JPEG) files. If necessary, the
images can be cropped for use in reports and presentations.
32
33
 Tips

34

❖ Check that the drill core mark-up is complete and correct.

❖ Drill core should ideally be viewed in natural light with core trays arranged at a comfortable
height to avoid back strain and discomfort.
❖ Always wet the drill core to better reveal color, alteration and textural features. In some
instances features are better observed when the drill core is dry.
❖ It may be prudent prior to detail logging to walk the entire drill hole to get a feeling of the
overall geology. This first-pass may establish if mineralization, major lithological boundaries
and structure are present, and provide the context for more detailed logging.
❖ When logging the Geologist must strike a balance with respect to detail and not lose sight of
the bigger picture.
❖ To assist the naked eye when logging, a hand lens should be used.
❖ When describing vertical profiles through the regolith, use the procedures outlined for RC
geological logging.
 Tips

35

❖ When logging it is better to describe the observed features of the drill core (mineralogy, grain size,
colour, texture, etc.) than to simply record a one word rock name. This information should support the
summary descriptor, e.g. andesite, andesitic tuff, rhyolite, agglomerate, etc.
❖ Drill hole logging codes should be written on the drill core to be retained.
❖ Other attributes to record include:
▪ Colour texture and fabric.
▪ Percentage sulphide minerals, e.g. 3% chalcopyrite, 4% disseminated pyrite
▪ Type of quartz veining, e.g. quartz stringer, quartz carbonate stockworks, etc
▪ Intrusive, faults and shear zones.
▪ Lithological contacts, degree and alteration type.
▪ Structures seen within the drill core such as bedding, jointing, foliation etc. Clays and gouge as they
may also relate to structure.
36 The End.