A Driller and a Geologist Walk into a Bar…

How communication and mutual respect contribute to project success.

The title may sound like the start of a bad joke, but this article aims to delve deeper into the relationship between geologists and drillers in the exploration and mining industries.

These two professions are central and are at times glorified, with the heroic notion of a steely-eyed geologist intently focused on a small, glistening rock chip while the brawny, tanned driller pulls steel rods somewhere on a remote mountain top. Unfortunately, reality is more like two old men bickering over invoices or complaining about clogged cyclones. Whether we want to believe it or not, these two professions, as different as their backgrounds or personal interests may be, are kindred spirits who have much to gain and learn from one another if they simply take the time to talk and listen.

Stereotypes

From a geologist’s perspective, drillers are often viewed as a necessary evil. Geologists need rocks to investigate the subsurface and the best way to achieve that is by drilling. Enter the driller, an individual who cares little for anything other than the next paycheck, “making hole”, and returning to town for a drink or ten at night. They’re more than a bit rough around the edges, perhaps missing fingers with colorful stories behind each, and eardrums destroyed from 20 years without hearing protection. Their vernacular tends to be mostly four-letter words interspersed with grunts. Many geologists view drillers as most people view their home dishwasher: useful when working, messy when broken, but don’t try to get a meaningful conversation out of them.

From a driller’s perspective, geologists are often viewed as a necessary evil. Here is an overpaid, know-it-all, four-eyed oddball who gets their kicks licking rocks all day. They’re never happy, they get stuck on mundane details and make a complete fuss about something as trivial as forgetting a hardhat, mud on the ground (yes, where else would you like it sir?), or, God forbid, broken core bits – as if somehow the core magically comes out of the ground in lengths that perfect fit those little boxes you gave us. They show up, ask what depth we’re at, nod, load some samples on the back of their truck, then drive off to their cozy little shed or office to drink coffee or sit in the air-conditioning licking more rocks.

We can spend a great deal of time and much amusement coming up with other stereotypes and I’m sure most of us have more than one entertaining anecdote. At the end of the day, it’s best to laugh off the stereotypes and realize we’re both important pieces of the same puzzle and equally critical for success. In fact, I believe we need to talk to each other more about our specialties while learning from our individual expertise.

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