Every metre of drill core has cost rig time, crew and logistics, and most of it ends up in a core shed. If you want to look at it again in five years, or resample it for a new resource estimate, it needs to be stored so that nothing slips, rots or gets lost.
Start with the right core trays
Match the box to the core diameter. Plastic trays shrug off moisture and are light to handle, wooden boxes are easy to adapt, galvanised steel is the toughest option. See core box sizes for NQ, HQ, PQ and SQ.
Labelling and order
- Mark every tray with project, hole ID, tray number and depth from–to on the end that faces the aisle.
- Lay core by one documented convention, for example shallowest depth at the top left.
- Put depth blocks at every run and wherever core is lost.
- Photograph each tray wet and dry before it goes into storage.
Racks, pallets and climate
Full trays are heavy, so plan racking for the filled weight, not the empty one. A dry, frost-free shed protects wooden boxes from moisture damage, and keeping labels out of direct sunlight stops them fading. Leave aisles wide enough to pull out a single tray for viewing.
For RC cuttings, chip trays store neatly alongside the core.