Comparison of Different Techniques for Basal till Sampling in Mineral Exploration

Methodological development and tests were carried out in the Savukoski-Pelkosenniemi area and eastern Rovaniemi during the project ‘Novel technologies for greenfield exploration’ funded by Tekes. The aims were to develop or provide recommendations for suitable drilling equipments and methods that would enable the sampling of both basal till and bedrock at the same time, as well as stratigraphical control during soil sampling, confirmation that the bedrock has been reached and, the collection of sufficient till samples for indicator mineral research, and also to identify the best till sampling technique to minimize the environmental impacts. Practical testing demonstrated that the goals would be best achieved using traditional deep drilling methods with soil and diamond drills supported by test pit research or the use of high-frequency sonic drilling. Furthermore, future recommendations for the equipment or drilling configuration are proposed.