In international mining investment practice, the primary cause of project failure is often not a lack of equipment, but rather the absence of reliable, decision-ready exploration data. Common issues include: advancing mining designs without sufficient mining exploration, leading to rework and cost overruns; geological reports that are not accepted by banks, investors, or regulatory bodies, hindering financing and compliance approvals; and substandard drilling quality, resulting in invalid data and investments that cannot support project decisions.
So, how do you avoid these pitfalls? We sat down with the technical lead of Xinhai’s Exploration Division to break it down.
Use the table of contents below to navigate through the guide:
01 The Real Purpose of Mining Exploration: Defining Orebody Value
“Clients don’t come to us saying, ‘We need 20 holes drilled.’ They come with real questions,” our expert explains. “Where is the ore? How much is there? What’s the grade? And most importantly, is this project worth building?”
Think of exploration as a detective story. You’re not just digging; you’re gathering evidence. The kind that answers: Should we invest?
Accurate answers to these critical questions can only be obtained through systematic exploration and fully compliant reporting. At Xinhai, we specialize in delivering “exploration results that are bankable and design-ready” for our clients, not just simple drilling services.
02A Scientific Workflow That Ensures Data Quality
At Xinhai, we follow a clear international standard—a four-stage roadmap to turn uncertainty into clarity.
Step 1: Target Definition
Geological mapping, geophysics, and geochemistry are used to identify and prioritize drilling targets.
Step 2: Orebody Verification
Trenching and pitting are carried out to confirm that mineralization actually exists where predicted.
Step 3: Quantifying the Orebody
Diamond core drilling is used to obtain continuous samples, allowing accurate determination of grade, thickness, and orebody geometry.
Step 4: Decision-Grade Deliverables
Resource estimation is completed and reported in JORC or equivalent international standards, providing the technical basis for investment, financing, and mine design.
03An Integrated Delivery Model That Reduces Client Risk
Coordinating multiple contractors across continents? It’s a headache and a risk. Our model is simple: we own the core process—drilling, sampling, resource modeling—and partner with trusted specialists for surveys and mapping.
Core work handled in-house
Supporting work
Geological mapping
Geophysics
Geochemistry
are delivered through long-term specialist partners.
Clients do not need to manage multiple contractors. Xinhai integrates all data, controls quality, and delivers a single, coherent technical result.
04Geological Reports Accepted by International Markets
For overseas projects, report acceptance is critical. Xinhai provides two proven pathways to JORC-compliant reporting.
Option 1 – Direct JORC Reporting
Xinhai organizes and validates the exploration database, while an Australian-registered Competent Person or accredited firm prepares and signs the JORC report.
Option 2 – Chinese Report + JORC Conversion
Exploration and resource estimation are completed in accordance with Chinese standards, then independently reviewed and converted to JORC format by a recognized international authority.
Both approaches have been successfully used in Africa, Guinea, and Ghana, ensuring full international compliance.
05Managing the Real Risks of Drilling
Stuck rods, lost drill strings, hole collapse, and abandoned holes are the main cost drivers in exploration drilling.
“While we do everything to prevent problems, we know that in the field, nothing is ever foolproof,” our team lead explains. “That’s why we’ve built a response playbook.”
Stuck rods are released using controlled jarring techniques
Lost drill strings are recovered using fishing tools
Hole collapse is addressed by relocating the hole and switching to stabilized or cased drilling
Abandoned holes are compensated by re-drilling with anti-collapse and anti-contamination designs
Our goal is to minimize risks, and when challenges do arise, to solve them intelligently—without letting your timeline or budget slip. Because in exploration, time isn’t just money. It’s momentum.
06Flexible and Cost-Efficient Deployment
Big equipment fleets and huge permanent crews sound impressive—until you’re paying for idle time. We stay flexible:
Equipment
Xinhai owns core drilling rigs and earthmoving equipment. Small projects use rented units to reduce upfront cost, while larger programs are supported by dedicated equipment for stability and efficiency.
Personnel
Projects are led by senior geological engineers and supported by Xinhai’s own drilling crews. If scale exceeds internal capacity, full “rig + crew” packages are mobilized to keep schedules on track.
You get the right resources at the right time. No waste.
(On-site exploration at the Wassa Project in Ghana, managed by Xinhai)
International investors focus on data reliability and compliance with reporting standards, not just drilling volume.
“Our diamond core rigs go deeper than 200 meters and bring up intact core samples,” our expert notes. “That means better data—data that’s trusted even in deep exploration projects in developed countries.”
In Ghana’s Wassa project, we integrated over 40 existing holes with 14 new ones, defined the resource clearly, and delivered a full exploration package. The client made an informed decision—even if they chose to walk away. That’s what real exploration delivers: clarity, not just activity.
A Reliable Partner for Overseas Mining Investment
If you are considering a mining investment and need to understand the true conditions underground—as well as the data that can help you secure funding and permits—let’s work together.
We are your mining exploration partner, committed to building a system that turns risk into returns.
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