Core processing services use a range of specialized equipment, including core logging tables, diamond core saws, core trays, splitting tools, photography systems, and sample transport containers. Each piece of equipment serves a specific role in moving drill core from the borehole to the laboratory in a way that preserves sample integrity and maximizes the geological data you can extract from it.
The exact combination of equipment depends on the project type, the volume of core being processed, and whether you are working in a dedicated facility or a temporary field setup. Understanding what each tool does helps you evaluate whether a service provider has the right infrastructure for your project.
Below, we walk through the full equipment chain from core retrieval to final sample dispatch.
What happens to a drill core before it gets processed?
Before core processing begins, drill core goes through a receiving and documentation phase. As core comes out of the ground in core barrels, it is carefully laid out in core trays in the correct depth order, labeled with borehole ID and depth intervals, and visually inspected for recovery. This initial handling sets the foundation for every analysis that follows.
Poor handling at this stage creates problems that no amount of sophisticated equipment can fix later. Core that is mixed up, mislabeled, or damaged before logging begins produces unreliable geological data. That is why receiving protocols, including checking recovery percentages and recording any lost or broken intervals, are treated as a formal part of the workflow rather than a preliminary step.
Once core is received, laid out, and documented, it moves into the logging and processing sequence where the specialized equipment takes over.
What are the main types of equipment used in core processing?
The main types of equipment used in core processing technical services and solutions are logging tables, core cutting and splitting tools, photography systems, core trays and storage racks, and sample transport packaging. Together, these form a complete processing chain that takes raw drill core from the drill rig to the analytical laboratory.
Each category of equipment addresses a specific stage in the workflow:
- Logging tables provide the physical workspace where geologists examine, describe, and photograph core
- Core saws and splitters divide core samples for geochemical analysis while preserving the reference half
- Photography systems create a permanent visual record of every core interval, both dry and wet
- Core trays and storage racks maintain sample order and protect core during handling and storage
- Transport packaging secures samples for safe shipment to laboratories without contamination or mix-up
High-quality facilities integrate these equipment types into a logical spatial layout so that core moves through each stage efficiently without unnecessary handling.
What is a core logging table and what does it do?
A core logging table is a purpose-built work surface designed to hold core trays at an ergonomic angle while geologists examine, describe, and photograph drill core. It provides a stable, well-lit platform that allows systematic inspection of core intervals, reducing physical strain and improving the consistency of geological descriptions.
Standard logging tables hold core trays flat or at a slight incline. More advanced designs, such as adjustable inclined roller tables, allow the geologist to set the working angle and slide trays along the surface smoothly, which significantly speeds up the logging process when working through long core runs.
Electrically adjustable logging tables take ergonomics a step further by letting users raise or lower the table height to match their own working posture, reducing fatigue during long logging sessions. Ball bearing tables add another layer of efficiency by allowing trays to roll with minimal friction, making it easy to move core without lifting.
Well-designed logging tables are built from durable materials suited for the demands of continuous indoor core processing work. Specialized components often include an orientation rack with secure positioning mechanisms and integrated photography systems for sample documentation. Some designs also incorporate a laptop desk so the geologist can enter data directly without leaving the work surface, keeping the logging workflow compact and uninterrupted.
How does core cutting equipment work in sample preparation?
Core cutting equipment in sample preparation works by using a diamond-tipped saw blade to cut drill core lengthwise or across its diameter. The most common cut is a longitudinal half-cut, which divides the core into two equal halves. One half goes to the laboratory for geochemical analysis, and the other half is retained as a reference sample in the core library.
Diamond core saws use water or a cooling fluid to keep the blade temperature stable and prevent the sample from overheating, which could alter mineral chemistry. The cut surface also makes it easier for geologists to observe mineral textures, alteration zones, and structural features that may not be visible on the rounded outer surface of uncut core.
For softer or more friable core that cannot be sawed cleanly, a core splitter is used instead. This tool applies mechanical pressure along the core axis to split it without a blade, which reduces material loss and is faster for high-volume processing of softer rock types.
After cutting, sample halves are weighed, bagged, labeled, and sealed before dispatch to the assay laboratory. The accuracy of this step directly affects the reliability of geochemical results, so proper equipment maintenance and blade condition are monitored closely in professional core processing facilities.
What equipment is used for core sample storage and transport?
Core sample storage relies on standardized plastic or wooden core trays that hold core segments in depth order within clearly marked compartments. These trays are stacked on purpose-built core racks inside a core shed or storage facility, where they remain accessible for re-logging, sampling, or audit at any point in the project lifecycle.
For transport to the laboratory, processed sample halves are placed into pre-labeled sample bags, which are then grouped into security-sealed sample bags or rigid containers. Proper sealing prevents contamination and maintains chain of custody, which is important for assay results that may later be used in resource estimation or regulatory reporting.
Core trays themselves need to be robust enough to protect samples during repeated handling without warping or breaking. The tray dimensions are standardized to match common core diameters such as NQ, HQ, and PQ, so that core sits snugly without shifting during movement.
In larger operations, a forklift-accessible racking system inside the core storage facility allows efficient retrieval of specific borehole intervals without disturbing adjacent trays. Good storage infrastructure saves significant time when geologists need to revisit historical core from earlier drilling campaigns.
When should a company use core processing services instead of its own equipment?
A company should use core processing services instead of its own equipment when the cost of purchasing, maintaining, and staffing a dedicated processing facility outweighs the benefit of ownership. This is most often the case for exploration companies running short-term or irregular drilling programs, companies entering a new region without existing infrastructure, or organizations that need to scale up quickly without a long capital commitment.
Owning core processing equipment requires investment not just in the hardware itself but in the facility space, trained personnel, maintenance schedules, and consumables. For a company drilling one or two programs per year, this fixed cost rarely makes financial sense compared to paying for processing capacity only when you need it.
Core processing services also give you access to equipment that is already calibrated, maintained, and operated by experienced technicians. This reduces the risk of processing errors that can compromise sample quality or delay laboratory turnaround times.
On the other hand, large mining companies with continuous, high-volume drilling programs often justify in-house facilities because the utilization rate is high enough to recover the capital cost. The decision comes down to drilling frequency, program duration, and whether your team has the technical capacity to run the facility to a professional standard.
At Palsatech, we offer complete sample processing technical services alongside logging table solutions and facility design, so you can access professional-grade core processing capacity without building it yourself. Whether you need support for a single campaign or a long-term project, we provide the equipment, expertise, and space as a service from one place. Contact our team to discuss your project and find out how we can support your drilling program.