Advancing Science and Discovery

NEWSLETTER
w w w. s e g w e b . o r g

OCTOBER 2016 NUMBER 107

M
em R
An Inexpensive Way to Maximize and Preserve be ene
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the Value of Oriented Core: The Orientation Log hi Y
p ou
p. r
Russell Myers, Mars Geosciences US Inc., Chris Brown, Oriented Targeting Solutions LLC, Leisa Meitl, 20
Northern Associates Inc., Chris Puchner, International Tower Hill Mines LLC, Carl Schaefer, –2
Northern Associates Inc., and Keith Schneider, Northern Associates Inc. 1

The orientation of diamond drill core can provide

invaluable information about structural geology
and mineralization that often cannot be obtained
in any other way, particularly in areas of poor
surface exposure or where hole conditions or
logistics preclude the use of televiewer technology.
It has been our experience that the data are often
used with good results by specific individuals,
usually consultants, who make their own mea-
surements to solve specific problems. However,
structural data gathered during routine logging are
commonly captured in a database with no infor-
mation on measurement quality and, as a result,
later users cannot distinguish genuine structural
complexity from error-related noise and often
conclude that the data are useless. In environ-
ments with consistently oriented planar features,
such as bedding, foliations, or vein sets, a quick
test of quality can be done by plotting the poles
to the features on a stereonet. If the data define a
small circle centered on the drill hole orientation,
it indicates that the orientation line has effectively
been spun around the drill FIGURE 1. Basic elements of core orientation. In this case a “back-end method” (see discus-
to page 14 . . .
axis, e.g., not drawn sion in text) was used, so the orientation mark was made at the bottom of the core run and the
line was drawn uphole to the previous mark. Note that every piece of core has an arrow on
†
Corresponding author: the orientation line, indicating the downhole direction. Smaller arrows at run blocks indicate
e-mail, [email protected] the origin of the line (refer to text). Ori = orientation.

Ore Deposits of Asia: China and Beyond

O
September 17–20, 2017 Beijing, China

CUGB
seg2017.org
 14 SEG NEWSLETTER No 107 • OCTOBER 2016

. . . from page 1 An Inexpensive Way to Maximize and Preserve the Value of Oriented Core: The Orientation Log (continued)

consistently on the bottom of the hole, QUALITY CONUNDRUM: ORIENTATION MARK

and the data quality has been seriously PROVEN VERSUS PROBABLE ERRORS RELATED TO
compromised. If this is the case, the bad
data either have to be discarded or the Unfortunately, in the absence of a ORIENTATION DEVICE
core has to be reconstructed to see if the ubiquitous consistent planar fabric, OPERATION
errors can be corrected. there is only one way to establish the At this point, it is important to say that,
The object of this paper is to illustrate absolute reliability of an orientation at present, common industry practice
one method for systematically captur- line segment: the line drawn from one is to leave the process of orientation
ing information on the orientation line orientation mark must match with the entirely to the drilling contractor with
quality so that the reliability of structural location of a line drawn from a second little or no instruction or oversight.
readings made using the line can be orientation mark. This is the equivalent Depending on the method being used,
established and their value protected. The of a 0° lock angle. This test is based on the responsibilities of the drillers may
concept is somewhat similar to a scoring the following logic: range from just making the orientation
system proposed by Holcombe (2015), 1. Each orientation mark reflects the mark to actually drawing the orien-
but this workflow is more focused on gravitational pull of the earth and is tation line when triple-tube coring is
identification and correction of errors. made independently. used. In most cases, the drillers are not
Key innovations are the formalized 2. Given the variety of possible errors, asked to produce any documentation
recording of orientation line information the probability that orientation of their work, so when a bad lock angle
and the use of the “Bamboo Diagram” lines from consecutive drill runs will occurs, it is virtually impossible to
to identify and correct errors. The cost of coincide by chance is vanishingly isolate the source(s) of the error. It is our
implementing this method is minimal small. contention that with better documenta-
since the data can be collected as part of 3. Therefore, if an orientation line tion a significant amount of data can be
the normal process of orientation line drawn from one mark matches salvaged.
construction. Importantly, if the core still perfectly with the location of a line In two recent papers, Davis (2014)
exists, this methodology can be applied drawn from a second mark, then the and Bright et al. (2014) provide excel-
years after the hole has been drilled to validity of both marks and the line lent reviews of the many methods of
validate or correct historical data. between them is established. core orientation and the errors associ-
ated with each. They also discuss best
In contrast, if the line drawn from practices for making structural mea-
ORIENTATION CONCEPTS one mark does not match the location surements, and the reader is referred to
Most core orientation methods use the of the second mark, then it is possible these papers for more comprehensive
vertical force of gravity as the basis for that one or both marks have errors or coverage of these topics. What these
establishing the orientation of the core that the line has been drawn incor- papers do not discuss is the idea of doc-
and can be used reliably in angle holes rectly. If the core is broken and it is not umentation of orientation quality and
with inclinations up to 85°. There are possible to draw a continuous line from dealing systematically with errors.
three fundamental elements of core one mark to another mark, then, in Bright et al. (2014) conveniently
orientation (Figure 1). The first is the the absence of a pervasive consistently divide core orientation methods into
orientation mark, which is how the oriented fabric, there is no way to deter- two fundamental classes. “Front-end
information about the orientation of mine independently whether the mark methods” mark or make an impression
the gravitational field relative to the is correct or if the core has been fitted of the core stub in the bottom of the
position of the core in the ground is together properly. hole prior to the core being drilled.
transferred to the core. Common prac- This highlights the fundamental “Back-end methods” either orient the
tice is for the orientation mark to indi- problem with structural measurements core barrel or the core at the moment
cate the bottom of the core. The second made on oriented core. How do we of the core break. Each of these meth-
element is the orientation line, which is handle the sections of orientation lines ods comes with specific types of errors
drawn from the orientation mark along that do not have proven validity? In related to the operation of the tool
the length of the core to indicate where reality, if the mark is well made, then itself, and to the condition of the core
the gravity vector passes through the the line drawn from it is probably that is being marked.
bottom of each piece of core. Before the valid, but it cannot be proven. If all Historically, most orientation meth-
orientation line can be drawn, all the the lines that are not validated are ods do not preserve any information
pieces of core have to be carefully fitted ignored, then a lot of potentially good about the functioning of the tool and
back together, recreating their original data are either not collected or would have relied exclusively on supervi-
configuration in the ground. The third be discarded unnecessarily. However, sion and training to control quality.
element is the lock angle, or angle of if the quality of a mark and its corre- Some modern methods do preserve
misfit, which measures the angular sponding orientation line segment is information to demonstrate that the
difference between the positions of ori- documented, then a confidence level tool operated properly, e.g., alignment
entation lines drawn from two different can be assigned to the structural data of multiple balls to confirm that the
orientation marks. derived from it. instrument was stable at the time of
the reading; however, frequently this
information is not formally recorded
and it is simply used to decide if a mark
 No 107 • OCTOBER 2016 S E G N E W S L E T T E R 15

should be made or not. In the best-case the position of the core in the lifter technicians should monitor and doc-
scenario, incorrect tool operation will and how the core breaks up when it is ument the orientation process but can
lead to distinctive or ambiguous marks. removed from the core tube. Unfortu- also measure RQD and recovery before
In the worst-case scenario, the tool nately, these are not observations that the core is boxed and transported.
failure will go undetected. At present, drillers would typically record. It is important to note that, if there is
the best real control on tool operation is any sign of core spinning, the orienta-
supervision. tion line is effectively broken (Figure
Front-end methods rely on making ORIENTATION LINE ERRORS 2a, b). This is the single most common
a mark and/or an impression of the RELATED TO CORE QUALITY source of errors in the line and, once a
core stub in the bottom of the hole. Apart from errors that propagate from lock angle error has been identified, it is
The confidence in the orientation mark the orientation mark, errors in the not uncommon to find hidden evidence
will depend on how clear the mark is orientation line result when the orien- of spin in clay intervals that appeared to
and/or how well the impression can tation line is drawn across pieces of core fit together perfectly in the triple-tube
be matched to the core. Based on the that are not correctly fitted together. split (Figure 2c, d). In some instances,
diameter and location of the orientation Triple-tube coring is frequently used in features such as veins or fabrics can be
mark or how tight the impression fits order to get the orientation line onto matched across a spun contact, which
with the core face, it is relatively easy to the core before it is broken up and put may allow the line to be continued
estimate the angular uncertainty associ- in boxes. When triple-tube coring is rather than broken.
ated with transferring the mark location used, the drillers are frequently asked If triple-tube coring is not used, the
to the bottom of the core. Fortunately, to draw the line on the core. In our orientation line is generally drawn in
some modern front-end methods now experience, this is an exercise fraught the core shack by fitting the pieces of
create a core block that records how the with problems because the drillers do core back together on angle iron and
tool functioned and, at the same time, not have the time or the training to then drawing the line from the mark.
preserves the impression of the core carefully evaluate how the core fits This work requires a diligent puzzle
face. This means that the mark quality together or notice where spin may have master, but even the best can some-
can be evaluated in the core shack after occurred. Once the line is drawn and times make mistakes. This is why it is
the core has been drilled. A specific dan- the core is in the core box, it is often so important to validate the orientation
ger with the front-end methods is the impossible to reconstruct what was lines by connecting two marks.
presence of loose core in the bottom of done and the errors cannot be eval-
the hole that has rotated before the ori- uated or corrected. Our experience is
entation mark is made; this occurs most that, if triple-tube coring is used, then
CLASSIFICATION OF
commonly when core from the previous a geologist or geotechnician whose sole QUALITY
run slips from the core spring and falls responsibility is core orientation should Holcombe (2015) is the only author that
back into the hole. In that case, the tool work on the core at the drill site so that we know of who has proposed applying
may make a good impression, but the the line can be drawn correctly before “orientation confidence
core is not correctly oriented. This type the core is transferred to the box. These scores” to individual to page 16 . . .
of error is virtually undetectable unless
multiple lines connect.
With back-end methods, the orien-
tation mark is made on the core in the
core lifter spring when the run is pulled
from the ground. The most common
problem is that the core is not firmly
locked in the core lifter, which means
that it could easily have rotated from
its original orientation before the core
made it to the surface. This does not
mean that it has rotated—only that
it could have. Therefore, it is essen-
tial with these methods to first mark
the core and then test to see if the
core is loose. This observation must
be recorded, or this possible error will
not be detectable later. Other common
problems are that the core may be
recessed up inside the lifter spring or
the core might disintegrate during or
after the time that the mark was made,
particularly when the shoe is unscrewed
from the core tube. It is possible to FIGURE 2. Examples of spun core where the orientation line must be broken. A. Orienta-
estimate the angular uncertainty associ- tion mark drawn on spun core surface must have mark quality of 9 (Table 1). B. Evidence
ated with making the mark on the face of spin can be quite subtle, as indicated by faint concentric rings on the right end of this
broken core. C. With triple-tube coring, it is common to see lines drawn across thin clay
of the core, taking into consideration seams where spin, as seen in D, has occurred.
 16 SEG NEWSLETTER No 107 • OCTOBER 2016

. . . from page 15 An Inexpensive Way to Maximize and Preserve the Value of Oriented Core: The Orientation Log (continued)

segments of orientation lines. Holcombe The “mark quality,” missing from the
(2015) focuses exclusively on the lock Holcombe (2015) method, reflects the
angle errors in a series of locked core angular uncertainty of the orientation
runs. The lock angle errors are dealt with mark and is a semiquantitative visual
in a statistical way and orientation lines estimate. It is most important for front-
are redrawn through intervals where the end methods when trying to match
original line deviates significantly from the imprint and mark to the face of the
the mean location of the line in other core. With back-end methods, this most
intervals. An “ORI score” (5 is good; 1 is commonly captures the fact that the
bad) is then assigned to all the runs in core is loose in the core spring, but may
the reconstructed interval. also reflect the difficulty of getting the
Our approach is similar to that of mark onto the core if it is not protrud-
Holcombe (2015), but in our log we ing from the core tube. If using a tool
independently capture quality infor- where the alignment of balls records the FIGURE 3. Measuring the “lock angle.” The
mation on both the original orienta- correct operation of the tools, this can lock angle is the angle between the uphole and
downhole lines measured in a clockwise direction
tion mark and the orientation line as be recorded as a separate parameter. looking down the hole. In this example, the lock
reflected by lock angles (Table 1). By angle is 42°.
assigning these quality parameters to
each line segment, the reliability of each
ORIENTATION LOG
The quality of the orientation marks once they have been identified. Using
structural reading made using the line
and lines should be recorded in a con- these conventions, it is not necessary
segment can be assessed. Even more
tinuous log down the hole so that every to have 10 or 30 m of core laid out to
importantly, as illustrated below, our
run of core is accounted for (Table 2). develop an orientation line, as sug-
method helps identify and isolate errors
This orientation log documents where gested by Bright et al. (2014) or Hol-
which can, in many cases, be corrected.
orientation marks are made, and which combe (2015). Instead, it is possible to
orientation line segments are derived work with one run of core at a time.
TABLE 1. Quality/Confidence Classification for
Orientation Marks and Orientation Lines from those marks. Our convention is Ideally, the task of drawing the orien-
that the lock angle is measured from tation line and creating the orientation
Mark the uphole line to the downhole line as log should be separated from the task of
quality Interpretation geological logging:
an angle between 0° and 360°, mea-
5 Excellent—angular error too small to sured in a clockwise direction looking 1. Draw orientation lines only from
 estimate down the hole (Figure 3). mark to mark and never across a
4 Good—angular uncertainty ±5° Because this log is continuous, the
3 OK—angular uncertainty ±10°
mark, even if a mark is known to be
information about the orientation of poor quality.
1 Bad—angular uncertainty >10°
  (actual uncertainty in comments) quality can be easily transferred to the 2. Draw the orientation line even if an
0 No mark structural readings made at any specific orientation mark is known to be bad,
9 Potentially bad mark; e.g., core loose depth. The added cost of creating the e.g., loose in shoe. It might be possi-
  in shoe, ori-balls not aligned, driller orientation log is minimal, as it only
  pulled off bottom, etc. ble to correct it later if it locks with
requires recording observations while other runs. The fact that the mark is
Line the core is pieced together to draw the unreliable is already recorded in the
quality Interpretation orientation line. log.
5 Run locks with <10° error
3. Record lock angles to describe the
5.1 Line tail drawn from a lock-validated OPERATIONAL relationship between line segments
  mark but not continuous to second
 mark
CONVENTIONS HELP drawn from different marks.
4. Mark the orientation line at run
4 Run locks with 10° to 20° error MAXIMIZE THE VALUE OF blocks using symbols that will allow
3 Run does not lock with another run, so THE ORIENTATION LOG a person reviewing errors to under-
  it is not independently validated
1 Run locks with angle greater than 20° By adopting the operational procedures stand how the lines on opposing
0 No line outlined below, it may be possible to sides of the run blocks were drawn
9 Other known problem with line correct errors in the orientation line (Figure 4).

TABLE 2. Orientation Log with the Minimum Data That Should Be Collected to Document the Orientation Line

Hole ID Mark depth From_m To_m Orientation method Mark quality Lock angle (°) Line quality Comments

DDH-106 123.36 122.48 123.36 ACT 4   30 1

DDH-106 124.00 123.36 124.00 ACT 9 330 1 Core loose in shoe
DDH-106 125.53 124.00 125.53 ACT 5   3 1
DDH-106 127.05 125.53 127.05 ACT 4   0 5
DDH-106 128.57 127.05 128.57 ACT 4   2 5

Note: Until the line from 122.48 to 125.53 m has been thoroughly checked for errors, it is possible that three line segments could be invalidated by the bad lock
angles at 124.0 and 123.36 m
 No 107 • OCTOBER 2016 S E G N E W S L E T T E R 17

FIGURE 5. Bamboo diagram of the orientation log shown in Table 2. It is import-

ant to understand which mark the line was drawn from to see which marks the lock
angle relates to. In this example, the mark is at the bottom of the run because a
back-end tool was used. However, if a front-end tool were used, the marks would
FIGURE 4. Conventions used to mark orientation lines at run be at the top of the run and the line drawn down. In this example, the 0° lock angle
blocks so that their origin can be readily understood. Note at 127.05 m validates the line between 127.05 and 128.57 m. By visualizing the
that, in order to measure the lock angle in the left-hand figure, orientation line in this way, it is immediately obvious that the lock angle errors
the uphole line is extended downward past the run block. at 123.36 and 124.0 m are symmetrical. This is consistent with the fact that the
Also note that an arrow should be put on every piece of core core was loose in the shoe when the mark at 124.0 m was made (mark quality 9,
with an orientation line to indicate the downhole direction. Table 2). If the line drawn from 124.0 m is rotated –30°, then the line will match
This is essential to prevent confusion when the core is being perfectly with the mark at 123.36 and the line from 125.53 m, validating the mark
handled during logging. at 123.36 m.

5. Make structural measurements bamboo diagram also makes it easier shack, not the drill rig. Our convention
using the alpha-beta conventions to isolate areas where the line has been is to retain the final bamboo diagrams
described by Holcombe (2015), so incorrectly drawn across a discontinuity of the hole for later reference if ques-
that they can be corrected for orien- in the core where it should have been tions about corrections arise.
tation line errors and the downhole broken (Figure 6a). In the majority of
survey. cases, once the bamboo diagram high-
lights a line error, it is relatively easy to LINE ROTATION AND
Once the orientation log is created and
locate the actual problem and the orien- RECOVERY OF ERRORS
the lock angles are measured for a series
tation log can be modified to produce a One option to correct the errors
of core runs, it is possible to identify
new bamboo diagram (Figure 6b). identified in Figures 5 and 6 would be
problem areas and start the process of
It should be emphasized that, ideally, to redraw the orientation lines, as sug-
error checking.
the construction of the bamboo dia- gested by Holcombe (2015). However,
gram should be done as soon as possible this can easily create confusion and
THE BAMBOO DIAGRAM— after the line is drawn so that errors can is not necessary if the orientation log
be detected and resolved immediately.
VISUALIZATION OF ORIEN- is used. Any structural
to page 18 . . .
However, this is a task for the core reading made using
TATION LINE PROBLEMS
As the orientation line is being
constructed and lock angles
are measured, it is important
to visualize the orientation
line so that the relationships
between line segments can be
analyzed. This can be done by
thinking of each orientation
line segment as a section along
a bamboo stalk looking down
the hole (Figure 5). In this way,
it is possible to rapidly identify
simple problems, like an error
caused by core that was loose
in the shoe at 124 m in Table
2 (Figure 5). In this instance,
the symmetrical errors indi-
cate that the loose-in-shoe FIGURE 6. Using bamboo diagrams, the source of errors can be logically narrowed down so there is a better
chance of finding and ultimately fixing them. A. All of the orientation marks are validated by the two good lock
core had rotated 30° before it angles, so the one bad lock angle can only originate in the drawing of the line. B. Review of the core found a subtle
was marked and the error can indication of core spinning at 132 m, so the line was broken there. Consequently, only the line from 132 to 131.5 m
be recovered (Figure 5). The is bad. Since the bad line segment locks to a validated line segment, it can be corrected by a simple rotation of –65°.
 18 SEG NEWSLETTER No 107 • OCTOBER 2016

. . . from page 17 An Inexpensive Way to Maximize and Preserve the Value of Oriented Core: The Orientation Log (continued)

the line segments with errors can be examples like the one shown in Figure orientation log has been corrected, it
corrected by rotating the beta angle 6, it is necessary to make adjustments is then a simple operation to join the
by the necessary amount. This can be to the orientation log to allow the structural readings with the orienta-
done by including the rotation angle line segments to be correctly charac- tion log and apply the correction rota-
in the orientation log (Table 3). For terized (cf. Tables 4 and 5). Once the tion to get a “corrected beta” (Table 6).

TABLE 3. Orientation Log from Example in Figure 5, Carrying Rotation Angles Required to Correct Structural Readings

Mark Orientation Mark Lock Rotation OM used Corrected Line

Hole ID depth From_m To_m method quality angle (°) angle (°) to correct lock quality Comments

DDH-106 123.36 122.48 123.36 ACT 4   30    0 0 5.1 Line not checked

DDH-106 124.00 123.36 124.00 ACT 9 330 –30 125.53 0 5 Core loose in shoe
DDH-106 125.53 124.00 125.53 ACT 5   3   0 3 5
DDH-106 127.05 125.53 127.05 ACT 4   0   0 0 5
DDH-106 128.57 127.05 128.57 ACT 4   2   0 2 5

Notes: “OM Used to Correct” records the reference orientation mark that the line has been rotated to match; “Corrected Lock” shows the error after the correction;
correcting the loose-in-shoe error validates the entire line from 122.48 to 128.57 m

TABLE 4. Orientation Log for Interval Shown in Figure 6A

Mark Orientation Mark Lock Rotation OM used Corrected Line

Hole ID depth From_m To_m method quality angle (°) angle (°) to correct lock quality Comments

DDH-106 130.00 128.57 130.00 ACT 5   0 5

DDH-106 131.50 130.00 131.50 ACT 3 65 5 Validated by 0 lock
DDH-106 133.00 131.50 133.00 ACT 5   0 1 Invalidated by 65 lock
DDH-106 134.50 133.00 134.50 ACT 4 5 Validated by 0 lock

Notes: The bamboo diagram quickly isolates the problem interval, as indicated in the Comments; “OM Used to Correct” records the reference orientation mark
that the line has been rotated to match; “Corrected Lock” shows the error after the correction

TABLE 5. Corrected Orientation Log for Interval Shown in Figure 6A After the Analysis Shown in Figure 6B

Mark Orientation Mark Lock Rotation OM used Corrected Line

Hole ID depth From_m To_m method quality angle (°) angle (°) to correct lock quality Comments

DDH-106 130.00 128.57 130.00 ACT 5  0   0 0 5

DDH-106 131.50 130.00 131.50 ACT 3 65   0 0 5
DDH-106 133.00 131.50 132.00 ACT 5 –65 131.50 0 5 Misdrawn due to spin
DDH-106 133.00 132.00 132.01 ACT 0 0 Spun core at 132
DDH-106 133.00 132.01 133.00 ACT 5  0   0 0 5
DDH-106 134.50 133.00 134.50 ACT 4   0 5

Notes: Entries in bold indicate the modifications required to correct the erroneously drawn line; a 1-cm-wide record has been created for the interval 132.0 to
132.01 m to identify the location of the spun surface; a new record has also been created for the interval 131.5 to 132.0 m to isolate the interval above the spun
core; the interval below the spun core has been stopped at the spin; now that the error has been identified, it can be corrected by a –65° rotation of the interval
between 131.5 and 132.0 m; “OM Used to Correct” records the reference orientation mark that the line has been rotated to match; “Corrected Lock” shows the
error after the correction

TABLE 6. Structure Log Illustrating How Measured Structures Are Joined to the Orientation Log to Apply Corrections and Assign Confidence

Beta rotation Beta

Hole ID Depth (m) Struc1 Alpha Beta angle (°) corrected Mark quality Line quality Orientation comments

DDH-106 122.53 Vein 51 262   0 262 4 5

DDH-106 123.29 Vein 49 257   0 257 4 5
DDH-106 123.65 Vein 66 353 –30 323 9 5 Core loose in shoe
DDH-106 123.82 Vein 55 292 –30 262 9 5 Core loose in shoe
DDH-106 125.20 Vein 61 319   0 319 5 5
DDH-106 130.76 Vein 54 255   0 255 3 5
DDH-106 131.57 Vein 49 323 –65 258 5 5 Misdrawn due to spin
DDH-106 131.72 Vein 73 25 –65 320 5 5 Misdrawn due to spin
DDH-106 131.92 Fault 48 329 –65 264 5 5 Misdrawn due to spin
DDH-106 132.73 Vein 49 258   0 258 5 5
DDH-106 133.75 Vein 67 324   0 324 4 5
DDH-106 134.39 Breccia 54 258   0 258 4 5

Note: In this 12-m interval, five structures have been significantly affected by the corrections made in Tables 3 and 5
 No 107 • OCTOBER 2016 S E G N E W S L E T T E R 19

DISCUSSION AND   8. Make structural measurements weighed against the potential impor-
using the standard alpha and beta tance and nature of the structural data
CONCLUSIONS
conventions. that will be collected. If measuring
There are many potential errors asso-   9. Join the point structural measure- bedding or fabrics that are pervasively
ciated with creating an orientation ments with the orientation log, developed, the additional effort to
mark on core. Current industry practice using depth to transfer the informa- quantify the reliability of orientations
allows this task to fall almost exclu- tion on quality and rotational cor- may not be warranted. If the objective
sively to the drilling contractor and, as rections to the structural readings. is to collect data on specific structural
a result, there is little or no documen- 10. Reduce the structural readings to zones intersected once in each drill
tation associated with the process of cre- true dip and dip directions using hole, a more rigorous approach is defi-
ating the orientation mark. The task of available software. nitely needed. One must assess the cost
drawing the orientation line is generally of improved orientation against that of
done by geologists or geotechnicians, Using the methodology outlined here,
incorrect structural interpretations. How
but, once again, only rarely is there any especially the bamboo diagram visual-
many holes might be drilled unnec-
documentation of either the orientation ization, it is possible, at little additional
essarily because the strike and dip are
mark quality or the errors in the orien- cost, to document the orientation line
incorrectly interpreted? Could a deposit
tation line. This lack of documentation quality and to correct many common
be missed? What if a highwall fails
makes it difficult to evaluate or isolate errors. This approach can be used no
because of an incorrect characterization
the sources of errors, and it is this level matter what method is used to orient
of discontinuities?
of uncertainty that has led Bright et al. the core or when the line is drawn. In
Drilling oriented core is an invest-
(2014) to suggest that an orientation fact, if the core has not been sampled,
ment which can yield priceless struc-
line is really only validated if three ori- this method can be used retroactively to
tural insights on many projects.
entation marks line up. evaluate the quality of the orientation
Creating an orientation log is a simple
Our contention is that, with rea- lines and correct previous structural
way to maximize and preserve the value
sonable documentation and analysis, measurements years after the hole is
of that investment.
many errors that would historically initially drilled and logged.
have led to rejection of data can be Because the “lock angle” is the only
corrected and the data recovered. At the way to absolutely prove the validity of ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
very least, information on orientation an orientation line, it is important to
The authors would like to acknowledge
errors is captured to qualify structural think about how to increase the odds of
the contributions of many geologists
measurements. getting continuous lines. Consider these
and geotechnicians on the Interna-
Our simplified workflow consists of few simple things:
tional Tower Hill Mines Ltd. and Corvus
the following steps: 1. The shorter the core run, the more Gold Inc. projects who participated in
likely you are to get two marks to the development of this methodology.
  1. Make and record observations on
lock—e.g., a 5-ft core barrel is better Their observations were a critical part
the quality of the orientation mark
than a 10-ft core barrel. of the process. Special thanks to Sam
itself, trying to quantify the angular
2. Triple-tube coring is the most reliable Dashevsky of Northern Associates,
uncertainty as you transfer the mark
way to get continuous core through who took the Reflex controller away
to the bottom of the core.
broken ground and, consequently, to from the drillers and gave it to the rig
  2. Carefully piece the core together on
get continuous orientation lines. geotechs. Thanks also to Brett Davis and
an angle iron and extend the orien-
3. If using triple-tube coring, consider to the SEG reviewers, whose comments
tation line as far as possible.
putting a geotechnician on the drill improved the clarity of the text.
  3. If the line can be confidently drawn
rig with the sole purpose of supervis-
across locked core to the end of
ing the orientation process, drawing
the core run, carefully measure and
the orientation line, and keeping the REFERENCES
record the lock angle. Remember, if
orientation log. If this task is left to Bright, S., Conner, G., Turner, A., and Vearncombe,
the uncertainty on an orientation
the normal drill helpers, the lines J., 2014, Drill core, structure and digital technol-
mark is 10°, then that alone can ogies: Applied Earth Science (Trans. Inst. Min.
will frequently be drawn incorrectly,
explain a lock error. Metall. B), v. 123, p. 47–68.
and it will be hard to isolate errors Davis, B.K., 2014, Use and abuse of oriented drill
  4. If multiple lines connect and any
once the core is in the box. core: Australasian Institute of Mining and Metal-
lock angle errors are greater than lurgy, Monograph 30, p. 121–136.
4. Use the orientation log and bam-
10°, then construct a bamboo dia- Holcombe, R., 2015, Oriented drill core: Mea-
boo diagram as a basis to review the surement, conversion and QA/QC procedures
gram to try to isolate the problem(s)
orientation line, especially in areas of for structural and exploration geologists. Free
by determining if a mark is wrong
critical importance. If the line cannot downloads: Oriented core measurement and cal-
or if the problem is in the line. culation procedures, available at www.hcovglobal.
be validated by lock angles but the
  5. If the problem is a mark, deter- com. 1
mark is good, then review the line for
mine if it can be solved by simple
possible errors and record that review
rotation.
in the orientation log so it can be
  6. If the problem is in the line, reex-
taken into account when assigning
amine the core to locate the misfit
confidence to structural readings in
pieces, breaking the line if necessary.
that interval.
  7. Make adjustments and notes in the
orientation log as required to docu- Each of these considerations comes
ment corrections. with a measureable cost that must be