Mineral exploration drilling. Drillers preparing a multi-combination drilling rig for a mineral exploration project. This rig uses hollow drill rods t

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Mineral exploration drilling. Drillers preparing a multi-combination drilling rig for a mineral exploration project. This rig uses hollow drill rods to cut a cylindrical core of rock from the ground for analysis. Water is pumped through the drill rod for cooling and lubrication. It is capable of both reverse circulation drilling and diamond drilling. Diamond drilling uses a drill bit encrusted with industrial diamonds to cut very hard rock, usually at great depths. The extracted core is analysed to find suitable sites for mining. Photographed in West Kenya.

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Size: 3425px × 5138px
Photo credit: © PHIL HILL/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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