Exploration drilling remains the foundation of every new mine development, but the operating environment is becoming more demanding. Programs are moving deeper, labour shortages persist and safety expectations – particularly around live work and manual rod handling – are intensifying across both underground and surface operations.
At the same time, contractors are under pressure to deliver productivity gains while reducing exposure risks for crews working around heavy rotating equipment. Automated rod handling systems and hands-off safety tools are increasingly being positioned not just as efficiency upgrades, but as critical risk-mitigation measures in modern exploration campaigns.
In this interview, The Northern Miner’s Devan Murugan speaks with Michelle White, business line manager for All Body Solutions at Epiroc, about how automation is reshaping rod handling, eliminating live work zones and introducing new safety layers for underground and up-hole drilling operations.
Devan Murugan: Michelle, thanks for joining us.
Michelle White: Thanks so much, Devan. Thank you for having me.
DM: Exploration camps are getting leaner and the focus on hands-off work is sharper than ever. How does Epiroc’s safety culture influence the way you design exploration products?
MW: Driller safety is the first thing on our mind at all times. From the very beginning of our innovation process, the focus is always on asking whether something is safe and how we can make it safer each time. It’s impressive to see how much progress has been made. From our Discover backend system to our Diamec Arm system, which we’ve recently introduced, we are focused on developing safer and smarter drill rigs and embedding those principles into every product we design.
DM: I’m interested in how Epiroc approaches its exploration solutions. How do they make life easier for drillers and crews on site?
MW: By working closely with drillers and contracting companies, we develop solutions with the people who use them every day. The Discover backend system was developed from discussions about eliminating risks in daily drilling work. From there, we built the Discover Prime system in collaboration with an experienced driller who contributed ideas to raise the bar even further. The result has been not only improved safety but significantly increased productivity. We’ve seen drilling cycle times improve dramatically, which has been a game changer for drillers. It’s a major innovation.
DM: Collaboration clearly plays a big role. How do you work with customers in the field to understand their needs and help them meet productivity goals?
MW: You’re absolutely right – collaboration is critical. From executive-level discussions through to our technical representatives working in the field, we constantly gather feedback and bring that information back into product development. The Discover Prime system is a great example. It took a concept that had existed for decades and transformed it into something far easier to use and more efficient. Continuous improvement driven by customer input is central to how we operate.
DM: I’ve been looking at some of the equipment used underground and on surface, including machines that automatically load and unload drill rods. One term that comes up is the automated rod magazine. What is it and what does it do for the rig?
MW: That system is called the Diamec ARM, which stands for automated rod magazine. The goal is to minimize operator fatigue while boosting productivity, but most importantly, to get people away from the fire zone. The system retrieves rods from the cassette and transfers them to the rod handler on the rig. Everything is controlled from the operator station, so no operator is required to manually lift or load rods. It has been a major improvement for drillers.
DM: What impact does the ARM system have on live work elimination and reducing manual rod handling?
MW: Live work elimination was a key driver behind developing the Arm system. The objective was to remove people from the hot zone and eliminate manual rod handling, which has been standard practice for decades. With the Arm system, rods are automatically transferred between the cassette and the rig. Setup is faster, downtime is reduced and drillers can reposition the rig and continue drilling more efficiently. It has truly been a game changer in underground drilling.
DM: For a contractor or exploration company considering these systems, what does adoption look like in practice? Is this a retrofit to existing rigs and how quickly do crews typically see the operational benefits?
MW: For our Diamec Arm system, it pairs directly with our Diamec Smart 6M and Smart 8 rigs, so no retrofitting is required. The system is designed to integrate seamlessly, with the Arm retrieving rods from the cassette and transferring them directly to the rod handler on the rig. This removes the need for manual lifting or loading.
For the Uphole Brake system, the benefit is immediate. The moment the crew inserts the device into the hole, it removes the danger of runaway tubes entirely and eliminates the risk of the inner tube dropping back down on them. It is designed to attach quickly and cleanly to the standard DiscovOre system, allowing crews to adopt it without changing their normal workflow.
While it does not increase drilling speed, it introduces a critical layer of protection that keeps crews out of the line of fire and prevents a high-risk incident every time it is used.
DM: From your experience, what are the biggest barriers companies face when introducing automated rod handling or hands-off systems and how are those challenges usually overcome on site?
MW: In some cases, contractors encounter resistance from the mine operator when it comes to sharing the financial responsibility for introducing new systems. In other cases, mine companies themselves are driving these safety improvements and are more willing to invest early. User buy-in is also important. Change can be challenging at first, especially when long-standing practices are involved. However, once crews see the safety and productivity benefits firsthand, adoption tends to proceed smoothly.
DM: As we look ahead, are there any new exploration tools or automation features that customers should be watching for?
MW: Yes. At the upcoming PDAC conference, we’ll be launching an up-hole safety system designed for underground drilling environments. When working up-hole, there is a risk that the inner tube can come out faster than expected. This new system incorporates a braking mechanism to control that movement, reducing the risk to drillers and keeping people out of harm’s way. It significantly reduces the margin for error and improves safety underground.
DM: It certainly sounds compelling and I’ll be watching for it at PDAC. Michelle White, Business Line Manager for All Body Solutions at Epiroc, thanks very much for your time.
MW: Thanks so much.