BMP 13 – Core Storage

Exploration companies use drilling to test for mineral commodities or geological structures. Commodity prices or geological models change with time, as a result, core is commonly re-sampled and re-logged. Utilization of historic core provides an economical way of re-exploring a mineral exploration site. When core is properly boxed and stored, the potential usefulness of core can be maintained for 25 years or more.

Diamond Drilling is one of the most widely used tools in mineral exploration. Core is a cylindrical section of rock usually 35 millimeters to 85 millimeters (1.4 to 3.4 inches) in diameter and up to many meters in length that is brought to the surface for geological examination or laboratory analysis. Core is commonly stored in wooden boxes. The study of drill cores assists in the three-dimensional reconstruction and interpretation of bedrock geology and is normally environmentally safe and non-hazardous.

The mineral industry and the Manitoba Mining, Oil and Gas Branch utilize core for geological mapping, research, and special studies. The Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources is the regulating agency for core storage.

In Manitoba, an individual or company who drills a Borehole or conducts Diamond Drilling for the purpose of searching for minerals shall:

Store in suitable containers, in sequence of recovery, the drill core or chips obtained;
Clearly label the containers with aluminum tape showing the hole number and the depth interval of the core or chips; and
Inform the Director of Mines in writing of the place where the drill core or chips are stored.
Core storage proposed in a provincial park should follow the outlined BMPs and use existing clearings that are not readily visible to other park users.

No individual or company shall, without first obtaining the permission of the Director of Mines:

Intentionally abandon, destroy or do anything to reduce the technical value of any exploration drill core or chips obtained by drilling; or

Remove from Manitoba more than three quarters of the chips from any section, or more than three quarters of the drill core split lengthwise.

Unless otherwise approved, core storage areas should be located a minimum of 100 meters from all water bodies and on a well-drained site above the high-water level of the area.

A Proponent is responsible for all core drilled on a property from the date they acquired the property. If the property is sold or reassigned the new Proponent is responsible for all core. A Proponent working on a Claim is encouraged to take all reasonable actions to salvage (if possible) or upgrade any core racks that pre-date their involvement.

Before a Proponent is “released” from core-related responsibilities associated with all applicable permits, all core must be stored in standard core boxes. Each box will be identified with aluminum labels securely attached, indicating the drill hole number and core interval represented.

With the permission of the Director of Mines, a Proponent may be released from core storage-related permit obligations if the Proponent stores the core in a long-term storage facility not located on the exploration site.

A Proponent should note the location of core within a Work Permit Application and within any subsequent assessment reports submitted to Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources and communicate any subsequent changes in location as required.

The following ways are acceptable to store core, which can be used individually or in combination:

Cross Stacking

The core boxes could be cross stacked on top of one another with each layer stacked perpendicular to the layer above and below it, and with at least one inch between individual boxes in a layer to enhance ventilation and stored in a manner where:

The bottom layer of boxes should be approximately 15-45 centimeters off the ground and supported by solid footings;
The stacked boxes should be stable;
Each box on the top layer of the stack should be sealed with a standard core box lid; and
Each stack should have a simple covering to provide shelter from the elements. A simple covering may include but is not limited to: well-ventilated tarpaulin covers; another layer of empty core boxes attached perpendicular to the top layer; or a layer of plywood that extends beyond the edge of the core boxes.

Core Racks

A Proponent could use core storage racks with a simple covering that extends beyond the end of all core boxes. Core racks should be inspected periodically to ensure they maintain structural integrity.

Core Farm

NOTE: If a Core Farm for purposes of long-term Industrial core storage on Crown Land, and off your Mineral Disposition, a Crown Land General Permit may be required. You are encouraged to contact Crown Lands Branch.

The Crown Land Application will be circulated and reviewed by Subject Matter Experts for consideration and either approved or denied.

A Crown Land General Permit Application can be obtained here.

Provincial Core Storage Facility

A Proponent could seek approval to transport and donate either all core or representative sections of core to be stored at one of five Manitoba Drillcore Libraries located throughout the province which the Manitoba Geological Survey (MGS) and stored Precambrian and Phanerozoic drillcore from exploration companies and MGS drilling programs since the early 1960s.

Permission is required to sample core contained in any of the province’s core storage facilities. See associated Information Notice related to core examination, sampling and analysis policies.

Contacts

Related Acts and Regulations

M162 –  The Mines and Minerals Act
MR 63/92 – Drilling Regulation, 1992
C340 – The Crown Lands Act 
P20 – Provincial Parks Act
MR 141/96 Park Activities Regulation