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Mineral Exploration and Pit Mining

The success of any mining operation starts with reliable geological data. During mineral exploration and pit mining, operators need accurate subsurface information to define resources, optimize mine planning and reduce uncertainty. At the same time, exploration teams face increasing pressure to accelerate drilling programs, control costs and minimize environmental impact.

Faster Resource Definition, Better Geological Data, and Lower Exploration Costs

Royal Eijkelkamp helps mining companies achieve these goals with advanced Sonic Drilling, Smart Drilling technologies and integrated data management solutions. Our solutions deliver high-quality samples, real-time drilling insights and safer field operations, enabling faster and more confident decision-making throughout the exploration and mining lifecycle.

Challenges in Mineral Exploration & Pit Mining

Exploration success depends on the quality and reliability of geological information. However, traditional drilling methods often struggle with:

  • Poor sample recovery in unconsolidated, weathered or saturated formations
  • Long drilling campaigns and slow laboratory turnaround times
  • High operational costs and logistical complexity in remote locations
  • Limited visibility into drilling performance and productivity
  • Safety risks associated with manual drilling operations 

Why Choose Sonic Drilling for Exploration?

Royal Eijkelkamp Sonic Drilling technology is designed to recover high-quality samples quickly and efficiently across a wide range of geological conditions, including laterites, saprolites, bauxite deposits, alluvial deposits, weathered rock and mixed formations.

Key Benefits of Sonic Drilling

  • Near-100% sample recovery in complex or saturated ground conditions
  • Continuous, undisturbed core samples for accurate geological interpretation
  • Drilling rates up to 3 to 5 times faster than conventional methods
  • Minimal water use reduces contamination risks and environmental impact while minimizing the washout of fine particles, preserving sample integrity. Sonic vibrations cause liquefaction of the soil, which allows the drill string to advance without the need for a flushing medium. 
  • Ability to switch between Sonic, Rotary and Diamond Coring with DUO technology
  • Extremely straight boreholes for follow-up monitoring and instrumentation installation 

Specialized Samplers and Drill Bits

We offer three sampling systems for Sonic:

SingleWall CoreBarrel

For dry sampling in medium-hard geologies and mixed formations, including weathered rock.

DualWall CoreBarrel

Provides excellent samples in hard overburden, mixed rock layers and bedrock. Allows for flushing without disturbing the sample.

AquaLock

Rapidly produces virtually undisturbed, quality samples from wet sands, clay, peat, and saturated sediments. 


Smart Drilling and Real-Time Exploration Data with MWD and ROAK

Exploration projects generate large volumes of operational and geological data. Royal Eijkelkamp's Monitoring While Drilling (MWD) technology and ROAK Data Platform transform this information into actionable insights.

Monitoring While Drilling and ROAK allow project teams to:

  • Monitor rig performance in real time
  • Track productivity and drilling progress
  • Archive and analyze historical drilling data
  • Improve resource modelling and geological interpretation
  • Predict maintenance requirements and reduce downtime
  • Generate accurate project reports with traceable drilling data 

By connecting field operations with real-time data management, exploration programs become faster, more efficient and easier to manage across multiple locations.


Complete Solutions for Exploration and Pit Mining

Royal Eijkelkamp delivers more than drilling equipment. We provide complete exploration solutions, including:

  • Sonic Drilling rigs
  • ManipAll hands-free rod and casing handling systems
  • Monitoring While Drilling (MWD)
  • ROAK Data Platform
  • CPT equipment 
  • Water monitoring solutions
  • Geotechnical instrumentation
  • Equipment servicing, maintenance and technical support
  • Operator training and technical expertise 
  • Turnkey project execution and field support

From early-stage exploration to active pit operations and site reclamation, we help mining companies obtain better data, improve safety and make faster decisions.

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