The first successful application of diamond drilling on a low-grade copper deposit in AZ was at the New Cornelia Mine in Ajo, AZ, according to this article.
[Disclaimer] I am a former employee of EJ Lonyear Co.
The company patented the the Q® Wireline System, alowing for easier and faster core retrevial.
Searching for the 'Square Thread' system of drill pipe conection.