When setting mining and exploration goals, profitability, safety and uninterrupted operations are all critical elements of success, which could not be otherwise achieved without well-maintained, specialized drilling equipment.

In supporting an industry vital to the global economy, mining and exploration is a process of extracting various precious minerals and metals from the earth’s surface. The process requires several stages of operation, among them drilling, blasting, excavation, which involve the use of highly specialized equipment such as drill rigs, which we are going to focus on in this article.

Drill rigs come in many sizes and types depending on their use case, ranging from small to large drills capable of drilling thousands of feet deep. The rigs are further broken down into different categories such as core rigs, reverse circulation rigs, aircore rigs and multi-purpose rigs. Determining which drill type and method should be used depends on the type of mineral being extracted, the depth of the deposit, and the size of the mining or exploration operation.

Aside from drilling a hole in the earth’s surface, drill rigs offer a lot more value to the entire operation. Firstly, the rigs are used to explore and evaluate mineral deposits. They provide ground samples that are vital for supporting information such as thickness and depth of the deposits, the quality of the mineral present and the general rock type. All this information is then used for accurate assessments of whether the entire exploration operation is profitable and sustainable.

Drill rigs are also used for production drilling, which involves drilling holes to define the blasting target to obtain the next ore batches to be process into the plant. The drill rigs used for production drilling are specialized Reverse circulation rigs to drill shallow holes quickly and efficiently.

Efficiency is always a target in the mining industry, and drill rigs play a significant role in supporting this. The secret to achieving high efficiency lies in the use of drill rigs designed with the latest technology and timely maintenance as this will prevent downtime. Furthermore, a well-maintained rig ensures that more holes can be accurately drilled in less time, increasing the overall production rate of the operation, and, in turn, improving the overall profitability and sustainability of the project.

Safety is another critical target in the mining industry, and drill rigs used must be designed with safety in mind. The use of modern technology can increase safety levels by providing operators with real-time data about the drilling process. This data can be used to identify potential hazards and take action to prevent incidents from occurring.

In addition to safety, environmental considerations are also equally important. Drill rigs must be designed to minimize the impact on the environment, such as reducing noise levels and minimizing the use of water. The use of water in the drilling process can be a significant environmental concern, as it can lead to contamination of nearby water sources. The use of alternative drilling fluids, such as air or foam, helps to reduce the use of water in the drilling process.

In conclusion, aside from facilitating exploration, evaluation and production drilling, using well-maintained and modern rigs also ensures that the operations are safe, efficient and environmentally friendly.

As a company focused on upholding the profitability and sustainability of our customer’s projects, Drill Masters Africa paid very close attention to building a strong fleet of drill rigs that are reputable, well-maintained, and fully furnished with adequate spare parts for every project. In doing so, we ensure that our customers’ operational targets are supported and achieved.