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Uranium is found by exploration drilling. These drill rig photographs were taken in 1991 during a drilling project on Green Mountain near Jeffrey City, Wyoming. The picture to the left shows the rig set up in the field. Prior to drilling, the rig must be leveled and a mud put dug for the rig unless it is a shallow hole in which case a portable mud pit sometimes called a "banjo" may be used. This photograph is courtesy of Kennecott Uranium Company. |
| This photograph also taken on Green Mountain in 1991 is a closeup of the rig. On the right is the water truck shown providing water to make drilling mud. To the left of the rig is the mud pit which contains the drilling mud. The mud pit also serves as a place to settle out the cuttings produced during drilling so they are not recirculated. Mud containers are also visible in the left foreground. These containers hold materials used to make the drilling mud. These materials can include guar gum (used to make biodegradable muds) bentonite (Another Wyoming product), barite (for adding weight to the mud) and other ingredients. This photograph is courtesy of Kennecott Uranium Company. |
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