LEARNING HUB

Stories, guides, and field insights from the geology frontier.

Read what 25+ years of working with miners has taught us. New articles every Tuesday.

Automatic Core Saw Operating & Maintenance Guide

Automatic Core Saw Operating & Maintenance Guide

A guide on how to operate the Discoverer Automatic Core Saw safely and effectively, including maintenance tips to reduce downtime.

Spencer Dormer Feb 24 · 1 min
Why Design Matters Now More Than Ever in Core Processing

Why Design Matters Now More Than Ever in Core Processing

Learn why core facility design matters and how industries like automotive, warehousing, and healthcare use smart planning to boost efficiency, safety, and scalability.

Spencer Dormer Jun 19 · 4 min
Designing for the Future of Core Facilities

Designing for the Future of Core Facilities

Discover how the Discoverer Core Facility Design Service helps geology teams streamline core shed workflows, improve safety, and maximize space with expert consultation, 3D CAD layouts, and seamless implementation planning.

Spencer Dormer Jun 19 · 4 min
Diamond Core Cutting Blades | A Buyers Guide

Diamond Core Cutting Blades | A Buyers Guide

Our buyer's guide to diamond core cutting blades. Learn how to choose the right blade for your rock type and get tips for maximising blade life.

Spencer Dormer Nov 19 · 3 min
Discoverer® Recycled Plastic Core Trays: Tested and Validated to Last 25+ Years

Discoverer® Recycled Plastic Core Trays: Tested and Validated to Last 25+ Years

Should you risk using a core tray made of recycled plastic material? Does it depend on whether the tray offers a Lifetime Warranty? Let's explore it here!

Spencer Dormer Nov 19 · 3 min
Core Saw Silica Dust/Mist Safety: How To Minimise Risk

Core Saw Silica Dust/Mist Safety: How To Minimise Risk

Discover effective strategies to manage silica dust in core sheds, enhancing worker safety with advanced Discoverer Automatic core saw technology and best practices for protection.

Spencer Dormer Oct 8 · 3 min
Core Trays filled with drilled core

Best Core Tray in the Discoverer Range (Q&A)

Q&A: Comparing core trays in the Discoverer® range to determine which is best for your project. Get insights on durability, capacity, and handling.

Spencer Dormer Nov 18 · 5 min
Geologist using Discoverer Recycled Plastic Core Trays

How Geology & Environmental Teams are Revolutionising Mining Forever

Make massive impact on your key ESG numbers by simply switching to Discoverer Recycled Plastic Core Trays.

Spencer Dormer Mar 15 · 5 min
Stacks of Plastic Core Trays

What’s the Best Way to Recycle Old Core Trays?

Is your team focusing on “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”? Learn effective methods to repurpose and recycle old core trays responsibly. This guide covers recycling programs and creative reuse options to help minimise waste.

Spencer Dormer Oct 28 · 1 min
Plastics for recycling

Sustainable Plastics in Mining Supply Chains: An ESG Guide

An essential guide for miners on integrating sustainable plastics into supply chains. Explore ESG impacts and alternatives for products like core trays.

Spencer Dormer Oct 18 · 4 min
Stacks of plastic core trays under the heat of the sun

Plastic Core Tray Comparison - a review of Discoverer, Impala and CoreSafe Trays

Unbiased review of the top 3 plastic core tray brands (Discoverer®, CoreSafe & Impala). Compare durability, capacity and price to determine which tray offers the best value for your drilling project.

Spencer Dormer Sep 9 · 8 min
Man using a geological structural compass

Brunton vs Freiberg vs Breithaupt: Geological Compasses Review & Costs

Trying to decide which is the best Geological Structural Compass for you? Here's a comparison of the leading brands to help you make an informed decision.

Spencer Dormer Dec 10 · 8 min
A variety of geological compasses

Sighting Compass for Geologists: Suunto, Brunton, Breithaupt

Comparing the top geological compasses — Suunto vs. Brunton vs. Breithaupt — to help you choose the best sighting compass for your fieldwork needs and budget.

Spencer Dormer Dec 2 · 7 min
Core Shed Design Guide – Optimising Layout with Roller Racks

Core Shed Design Guide – Optimising Layout with Roller Racks

Learn how to plan an efficient core shed layout using roller racking systems. This guide covers best practices for core storage design to streamline handling.

Spencer Dormer Sep 22 · 20 min
Reverse Circulation (RC) drill program in action

Meeting Drill Waste Requirements: EPA-Compliant Best Practices

Drill waste regulations are stricter than ever. Learn EPA-compliant best practices to manage and dispose of drilling waste responsibly, streamline approval processes, and avoid costly compliance issues.

Spencer Dormer Jul 25 · 6 min
3 Best Ways To Do Core Tray Photography on Small, Medium & Big Budgets

3 Best Ways To Do Core Tray Photography on Small, Medium & Big Budgets

Be consistent in your drill core images with the 3 best core tray photography systems in the market today. Read on for a complete core photography guide.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 11 min
Lens of an SLR Camera amidst a bed of rocks

Best Camera Settings for Diamond Core Photography

Tired of blurry or inconsistent core photos? Discover the optimal camera settings for photographing diamond drill core. Learn which manual settings (ISO, aperture, white balance, etc.) will produce sharp, consistent core images every time.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 3 min
A Canon camera with lens on a tripod

Best Camera for Core Tray Photography

Our guide to the best cameras for core tray photography. We review top SLR & digital options for any budget to ensure consistent, quality core photos.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 5 min
Plastic sample bags in a mining site

Green Plastic Bags & Core Trays – Is There a Better Way?

Examining the environmental impact of plastic sample bags and core trays. Discover alternative solutions for a more sustainable exploration practice.

Travis Dormer Jul 7 · 6 min
Aerial view of plastic sample bags in a mining/exploration site

The Future of Geological Sample Bags

A guide to the future of geological sample bags. Understand resource regulator compliance and the shift towards sustainable & compostable options.

Travis Dormer Jul 7 · 3 min
geological compasses

Who Is the Best Geological Field Equipment Supplier?

We compare top geological field equipment suppliers to help you decide who is the best fit for your needs. Consider range, quality, and service in our overview.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 4 min
Aerial view of a rehabilitation site

Best Way to Rehabilitate & Cut PVC Collars in Drill Holes

Learn the best techniques to rehabilitate old drill holes by removing or cutting PVC collars. This guide covers safe methods to trim PVC casing and properly plug drill holes, helping you restore sites effectively.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 1 min
The Rocket Launcher, a core orientation frame

How to Set-up and Use a Core Orientation Device (Rocket Launcher)

Find out how to use a core orientation device and when to use a rocket launcher over a protractor (and vice-versa) in measuring structures of oriented core

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 7 min
Core samples in a tray

How to Measure Specific Gravity of Minerals & Why It Matters

Learn the best methods to measure the specific gravity (SG) of mineral samples. This step-by-step guide explains why specific gravity matters in geology and how to determine it accurately for any specimen.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 2 min
Are Recycled Plastic Core Trays Any Good? (Review)

Are Recycled Plastic Core Trays Any Good? (Review)

We compare recycled vs. virgin plastic core trays in this in-depth review. Learn if recycled material trays perform as well as standard Discoverer trays.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 5 min
How can my Mine Site or Exploration Project return COVID-safe?

How can my Mine Site or Exploration Project return COVID-safe?

As restrictions loosen, Aussie Miners, Geologists & Fieldies will return to work. Whether to the office or the outback - how do you keep COVID-safe?

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 1 min
Geologist

Top 3 Geological Suppliers in Australia – Reviews & Comparison

Read our unbiased reviews of the top 3 geological supply companies in Australia. Compare their product ranges, service quality and pricing side by side to discover which supplier best fits your needs.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 2 min
How Geologists Can Thrive in a Changing Industry

How Geologists Can Thrive in a Changing Industry

Discover key strategies for geologists to adapt and thrive in the face of industry shifts, technological change, and economic uncertainty.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 5 min
Core shed with roller racking

How to achieve a world class core shed workflow within the most basic of facilities.

You can build a core shed regardless of available space and budget. Find out the components of roller racking and set it up for a more efficient workflow.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 5 min
Core samples in core trays

Manual Vs. Digital: Assessing Drill Core Orientation Techniques

Compare traditional manual core orientation methods to modern digital tools. Find out which technique yields more accurate and efficient results for orienting drill cores, and when to use each method.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 3 min
Aerial mine survey mapping using LiDAR technology

LiDAR Drones in Mine Surveying & Mapping

Explore the role of LiDAR drones in modern mine surveying and mapping. Understand the benefits, limitations, and future impact on a surveyor's workflow.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 2 min
Smartphones being used by a crowd outdoors

Boom and Bust: the Mineral Commodities that will Keep Australian Mines Running

The global demand for mineral commodities continues to shift as new technologies are introduced. How will this affect Australia's mining industry?

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 3 min
Drone being controlled from a tablet to do site surveying

How Drones Are Changing the Mining Industry

Discover the uses of UAVs and drones in the mining industry. From surveying to safety inspections, see how drone technology boosts efficiency and data.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 3 min
Plastic core trays on a roller rack

Why Flat-Bottom Core Trays Improve Your Workflow

Discover how flat-bottom core trays improve stability on roller racking, enhance core photography, and create a more efficient core shed workflow.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 2 min
Stacks of plastic core trays with irregularly shaped core samples

Deeper Stable Core Trays – Product Spotlight

A spotlight on our deeper stable Discoverer core trays: engineered for extra depth and stability when storing larger diameter core samples safely.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 2 min
Stacks of plastic core trays under the heat of the sun

Long-Lasting Core Trays for Mine Life

Do your core trays last the life of your mine? Learn why durability and material choice are critical for long-term core sample storage and integrity.

Spencer Dormer Jul 7 · 4 min