Exploration Projects in 2026: How to Standardise Plastic Core Tray for Faster Geological Logging

Exploration in 2026: Why Drilling and Sampling Are Expanding

As global mineral demand rises for batteries, construction materials, and renewable energy technologies, the mining industry is experiencing a renewed exploration surge heading into 2026. From lithium and nickel to silica sand and rare earth elements, hundreds of new exploration projects are being initiated across Africa, Australia, and South America. However, with increasing drilling activity comes a growing challenge: managing and preserving core and chip samples efficiently. Exploration teams generate thousands of metres of drill core every month, and without standardised storage systems, the risk of data loss, mislabelling, or physical damage escalates dramatically. This is where plastic core trays, core boxes, and RC chip trays play a pivotal role. Standardising these storage systems across projects ensures that geologists can log, transport, and archive samples faster — with higher accuracy and lower operational waste. In 2026, exploration efficiency isn’t just about drilling speed. It’s also about how well data is preserved and managed from the field to the core shed.

Diamond Core vs RC Drilling: Matching the Right Storage Solution

Exploration programs typically rely on two main drilling methods — diamond core drilling and reverse circulation (RC) drilling — each producing different sample types that demand distinct storage approaches.

Diamond Core Drilling

This method produces long, cylindrical rock cores that preserve the geological structure and mineralization exactly as found in the ground. These cores are irreplaceable for:

• Structural geology analysis

• Lithological interpretation

• Metallurgical testing

• Laboratory assays

Because diamond cores are delicate and valuable, they must be placed in plastic core trays immediately after extraction.
Plastic trays:

• Prevent contamination

• Protect cores from breakage

• Keep samples in exact depth sequence

• Enable clear logging and photography

Standardisation ensures every field team uses the same tray size (HQ, NQ, PQ, or BQ) and labelling method, so data from multiple drill sites remain consistent and traceable.

Reverse Circulation (RC) Drilling

RC drilling, on the other hand, generates crushed chip samples — faster and cheaper than diamond core drilling. Each metre of chips is bagged and then transferred into RC chip trays for visual analysis, colour comparison, and stratigraphic interpretation.

A well-designed RC chip tray helps geologists:

• Observe grain size and texture

• Compare colour variations

• Record quick geological notes

• Keep an organised visual reference library

To unify workflows, exploration companies increasingly adopt a single tray system supplier — ensuring chip trays, core trays, and separators align in dimensions, stacking compatibility, and labelling format.

Understanding HQ, NQ, PQ: Standardising Core Tray Sizes

Consistency is key in any multi-rig exploration campaign. Standardising core tray sizes ensures data integrity across drill programs and reduces confusion when logging cores from multiple sources.

Standardising across these four main sizes allows teams to:

• Maintain identical core layout structures

• Store trays in uniform racking systems

• Transport efficiently in containers or trucks

• Simplify procurement and replacements

Plastic trays designed for HQ, NQ, and PQ cores are typically stackable and interlocking, preventing tipping or misalignment during handling. For companies with global projects, using one tray system across countries — with identical design specifications — saves cost, training time, and logistic complexity.

Practical Field Setup: Core Trays, RC Chip Trays, and Separators in Action

A typical exploration camp or core shed in 2026 looks very different from a decade ago. Geological teams now adopt modular, ergonomic setups that combine different tray systems for maximum workflow efficiency.

A. Field Core Logging Area

• Rows of plastic core trays arranged on adjustable racks.

• Each tray labelled with borehole ID, depth, and sequence number.

• Core orientation lines marked and photographed directly in trays.

B. RC Chip Reference Wall

• RC chip trays displayed vertically for comparison across holes.

• Allows quick visual cross-checking between nearby drill holes.

• Standard colour reference cards used for consistent logging.

C. Separator Integration

Separators are small but essential accessories that segment rows or divide tray sections, particularly for mixed lithology or partial runs. They help maintain clean boundaries between samples and support accurate labelling.

A standardised system where trays, chip trays, and separators interlock seamlessly leads to:

• Faster setup and stacking

• Less sample confusion

• Safer handling in rugged environments

This unified approach makes geological logging faster, safer, and more consistent — three key metrics for exploration success in 2026.

The Shift to Plastic Core Trays: Sustainability Meets Performance

In 2026, the mining industry is not only focused on discovering new resources — it’s also being reshaped by environmental accountability. As sustainability targets become embedded in corporate policy, every supply decision is evaluated for its carbon footprint and life-cycle impact.

Why Plastic Core Trays Lead the Change

• Made from 100% recycled HDPE, a durable and non-toxic material.

• Produced using solar energy, reducing CO₂ emissions significantly.

• Completely recyclable at end-of-life, fitting into a circular economy model.

• Resistant to UV radiation, drilling fluids, and chemicals, ensuring longevity even under harsh conditions.

Plastic trays replace heavy metal and wooden alternatives that corrode, warp, or break under tropical humidity or desert heat. Their light weight reduces transport emissions, while their interlocking design saves space in storage and shipping.

Durability and Field Longevity

Unlike older materials, recycled plastic trays maintain dimensional stability and structural integrity for years. They resist cracking, fading, and deformation — even when stacked high or exposed to sunlight for months.

Each tray’s lifespan can exceed 10 years, dramatically lowering replacement frequency and waste generation.

Aligning with ESG Goals

Using recycled plastic trays helps exploration companies meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments by:

• Reducing plastic waste through reuse

• Supporting renewable energy manufacturing

• Lowering site emissions via reduced logistics weight

• Demonstrating visible sustainability in field operations

The shift toward plastic isn’t just practical — it’s a symbol of responsible exploration in a carbon-conscious mining world.

Improving Geological Logging Efficiency

Speed and accuracy are critical in modern exploration, especially when hundreds of holes must be logged, photographed, and archived. Standardising core and chip trays directly enhances logging workflows in several ways:

1. Faster Identification – Clear labelling panels allow quick hole and depth recognition.

2. Better Data Consistency – Identical tray layouts reduce misinterpretation when comparing logs.

3. Reduced Handling Time – Lightweight plastic trays make it easier to lift and rearrange during photography or sampling.

4. Enhanced Safety – Non-metallic materials eliminate sharp edges and reduce injury risk in the field.

5. Improved Core Photography – Uniform tray colour and shape improve image clarity for digital core logging systems.

6. Lower Long-Term Costs – Durable materials minimise replacement and shipping costs.

By 2026, many exploration programs are integrating AI-assisted core logging, using image recognition to identify minerals automatically. Uniform tray design and consistent colour contrast are essential for this technology to function accurately — making plastic trays even more indispensable.

Selecting the Right Plastic Core Tray for Your 2026 Project

Every exploration program operates under unique geological and environmental conditions. The right plastic core tray should balance technical performance, sustainability, and field practicality.

Checklist for 2026:

✅ Choose tray size matching drilling method (BQ, NQ, HQ, PQ).
✅ Confirm material is recycled HDPE and UV-resistant.
✅ Verify stackability and interlocking safety features.
✅ Ensure drainage holes for wet-core operations.
✅ Use engraved or moulded labelling zones for permanent identification.
✅ Select designs compatible with separators and chip trays.
✅ Prioritise suppliers using solar or low-carbon production methods.

Investing in high-quality trays reduces risk, enhances field productivity, and supports long-term ESG compliance — all essential for exploration success in 2026 and beyond.

The Road Ahead: Efficiency, Sustainability, and Data Integrity

As mining companies expand exploration in 2026, success will increasingly depend on how efficiently they manage data and samples. Plastic core trays, core boxes, and RC chip trays represent the foundation of this efficiency — simple tools that ensure the world’s most valuable geological information is preserved accurately and sustainably.

Standardisation across projects means:

• Faster geological logging

• Lower material waste

• Easier international logistics

• Improved safety and traceability

The shift to sustainable, recycled plastic trays is more than a technological upgrade — it’s part of a broader cultural change in mining: one that values environmental responsibility and operational precision equally. From diamond drilling in Canada to RC sampling in Ghana, a single, standardised tray system now connects exploration teams around the globe. That system ensures that when the next major mineral discovery is made, the data behind it will be accurate, consistent, and responsibly stored — tray by tray.