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The four types mineral exploration bits (impregnated diamond, surface-set diamond, PCD (TSP) set and Tungsten-Carbide set) each have an appropriate range of application. The various numerical values that are used to describe the geological formations called out in the application range chart above are defined as follows:

DCDMA Code is a reference number that is used as a comparison between different manufacturers coding systems for impregnated diamond core bits.

Mohs Hardness is a method of quantifying the hardness of geological materials by means of a simple “scratch test”. The units of hardness are expressed as numbers ranging from 1 to 10, each of which is represented by a mineral that can be made to scratch any other mineral bearing a lower number. In ascending order of hardness, the minerals are ranked as follows: Talc (1), Gypsum (2), Calcite (3), Fluorite (4), Apatite (5), Orthoclase (6), Quartz (7), Topaz (8), Corundum (9) and Diamond (10).

UCS (Uniaxial Compressive Strength) is a test that is generally performed in a laboratory and is a measurement of the ultimate compressive stress that a sample of rock can withstand before failure under an increasing point load. This test is an objective means of quantifying the hardness of a geological material and therefore its drillability.