JV Video: Automation rises as drilling faces safety pressure

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. 

Watch the full interview below:

The preceding Joint Venture article is PROMOTED CONTENT sponsored by Epiroc and produced in co-operation with The Northern Miner. Visit: https://www.epiroc.com/ for more information.