Drilling exploration boreholes beyond 4000M in South Africa

Conclusion

South Africa will always require deep exploration boreholes to evaluate potential new mines. Seismic, and other geophysical surveys, provide useful tools for the exploration geologist but cannot replace a physical core sample. The contractor and supply companies must concentrate on techniques and equipment that will provide quicker drilling and reduced risk.

Gold price fluctuations and the effect upon revenue received by the mining finance houses who fund exploration projects does cause changes in the level of drilling activity. However, deep exploration drilling for gold is an integral part of South Africa’s mining industry and will continue to be so.