Prospecting Ditches

The ditches are used most of all for the mineralized bodies of which the width is considered to have a smaller dimension and that have been recovered by some meters of dirt or alluviums. The excavation of these can be done by hand (using a shovel, pick axe, or with perforating hammer and explosives), but more can be obtained if machines are used to move the earth. These machines are usually rented by local companies and the most adequate can be sought out for the workings that are to be done. The hydraulic shovels are usually more adequate. In most cases the ditches need to be dug perpendicularly to the probable alignment of the indicators or the enlargement of the geochemical abnormities. In each case make sure to always keep in mind the risks of the collapsing of the walls in order to avoid accidents. When there is not enough data to pin point the direction that the ditches need to be given, it is suggested to start with the digging of two ditches at a straight angle between each other. The extension will be in function of the local data. A width of one meter is enough and as far as it is related to the depth it will need to be enough to reach the in situ rock. During the excavation of ditches, the mineralized earth will need to be separated from the sterile earth, by placing these on one side of the excavation.

Observation
Like for outcrops, the data that he ditches will provide refer to the minerals and its gangue, to the rock covering and the relation between these different elements.