The relevance of borehole and bore core evaluation to the design of underground coal mines is illustrated by considering the technical parameters of colliery design and the information from which they are constructed._x000D_
The nature of this information is described, together with some methods for its storage, processing and presentation. Geophysical exploration techniques are compared as information sources. It is concluded that borehole and bore core evaluation is relevant and necessary for colliery design, but that optimum results will be obtained if drilling can be combined with geophysical techniques. Because of the inherent uncertainties in prediction of mining conditions the necessity of obtaining as much information as practicable from drilling evaluation is also stressed.