THUNDER BAY / MINING TECH — A new video making the rounds in mining circles is putting an everyday piece of exploration infrastructure under the spotlight: the core box. The feature highlights the Corecase Tray System, positioning it as a practical upgrade for drilling contractors and exploration companies focused on cost control, safety, chain-of-custody, and ESG performance.
For decades, the industry standard has largely been heavy, damage-prone core boxes that can be expensive to replace and difficult to manage at scale.
This ages old approach is no longer necessary—especially as exploration programs become larger, more logistically complex, and increasingly scrutinized for environmental and workplace practices.
A simple problem with big operational impact
Drill core storage is often treated as a commodity decision—until something goes wrong. Lost core, broken boxes, inconsistent labeling, and inefficient retrieval can slow logging, sampling, and audits.
In large programs, the cumulative impacts are real: more handling time, higher replacement costs, and avoidable risk to sample integrity.
The modern core storage is far more than “just a box,” and instead frames it as part of sample management and operational risk management—especially for companies working across multiple rigs, contractors, and storage facilities.
What is different about Corecase Core Boxes
The Corecase Tray System is presented as an alternative designed around five operational priorities:
1) Weight reduction for safety and accessibility
A major emphasis is placed on lighter handling. In busy core shacks, manual lifting happens all day—often by a rotating team that includes geos, techs, and support roles. Reducing weight can support safer workflows, reduce strain injuries, and broaden who can comfortably perform core-handling tasks.
2) Durability and longer service life
The trays last substantially longer than traditional options. While longevity depends on handling, climate, and storage practices, a more durable container can reduce replacement cycles and improve overall cost-per-metre stored.
3) ESG alignment through recycled plastics
A core selling point is the use of 100% recycled plastics, presented as a way for exploration and mining operations to reduce waste and support sustainability targets. For companies working under ESG frameworks, procurement choices—especially for high-volume consumables—can become measurable.
4) RFID/QR tracking for rapid retrieval and control
Perhaps the biggest operational differentiator is tracking technology. The RFID/QR systems can help teams locate core quickly, reduce misplaced material, and improve inventory organization—particularly in larger storage yards or remote programs where core may move between locations.
5) Chain-of-custody support
The feature also emphasizes chain-of-custody, positioning the tray system as a way to help maintain consistent identification from the drill site through logging, sampling, transport, and storage. While chain-of-custody still relies on procedures and training, better physical systems can reduce errors and rework.
Why this matters to drilling and exploration companies
For drilling contractors, core handling and storage can affect daily efficiency—especially when boxes are staged at the rig and transferred to trucks repeatedly. Lighter units can speed up movements and reduce wear-and-tear on crews and equipment.
For exploration companies and geological teams, the value is often in workflow reliability: keeping core organized, accessible, and traceable from field to core shack to long-term storage.
Tracking-enabled systems can also help with audits, JV programs, and any situation where core accountability is a commercial or compliance requirement.
Beyond hardware: a workflow conversation
The tone of the video is clear: this isn’t being marketed as a minor improvement. It’s framed as a modernization step for programs that want to reduce friction across the core lifecycle—handling → logging → sampling → storage → retrieval.
This message aligns with a broader industry trend: operational efficiency and ESG are increasingly connected. If a solution reduces manual strain, extends product life, supports recycled inputs, and improves sample accountability, it can touch multiple corporate priorities at once.
The takeaway
Whether the “revolution” language is marketing or merit, the video highlights a real issue: core storage is foundational infrastructure in mineral exploration, and the impacts of outdated systems compound over time.
For companies managing significant drill programs, improvements to core handling and tracking can translate to:
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fewer lost or misidentified boxes,
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smoother core shack workflows,
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lower replacement volumes,
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improved consistency for audits and reporting,
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and safer, more inclusive handling requirements.
Contact information
Interested? Need more information – for mining and exploration companies interested in the Corecase Tray System inquire directly at: 📞 807-625-1441