Copper Exploration Project
KSL Kupferschiefer Lausitz is currently carrying out an exploration program to reassess the East German Spremberg-Graustein-Schleife Kupferschiefer (copper slate) deposit. This includes re-evaluation of the existing data collected during the East German era as well as analysis of the old drill cores, supplemented with exploration drilling to confirm the results and to locate potential extensions of the deposit.
Map of the Licence Area Spremberg-Graustein-Schleife
Drilling will be carried out by the drilling companies Angers' Söhne from Hessisch Lichtenau and E+M from Hof in Bavaria. The metallurgical analysis of the cores will be carried out in the UK under the supervision and control of the internationally renowned company SGS LAKEFIELD.
Explanation of the exploration drilling process
1. Preparation of the drilling site
The first step of each drill hole is the sinking of a pilot hole, enclosed in a standpipe that is secured by cementation of the surrounding annular space.
The drill rig used for drilling the standpipe drill hole is replaced after completion of the pilot hole by a more powerful rig capable of drilling holes with a planned depth of 1,300 meters.
2. Exploration drilling
Insertion of casing, including cementation, down to a depth of about 550 m. Subsequently, two additional lengths of casing of progressively smaller diameter will be inserted in the drill hole right up to the point of intersection with ore body.
The drilling cuttings produced by drilling are flushed out of the hole using circulating drilling fluid.
The actual ore zone will be intersected by core drilling whereby a cylindrical column of drill core is drilled using a diamond-tipped drilling crown. The drill core is extracted from the hole and its ore grade is determined by laboratory assay.
Geophysical measurements will be carried out in the ore zone as well as in the cased section of the drill hole to provide additional information on the geological structure of the deposit.
3. Restoration of the original state
The environmental impact will be kept as low as possible starting with careful selection of the drilling sites.
After completion of drilling the borehole will be completely filled with cement slurry. After completion of the investigation the drilling fluid and cuttings will be disposed of at special disposal sites licensed for this purpose. The drilling site will be re-cultivated and restored to its original state.