For decades, mining and drilling operations have relied on traditional survey set-out methods to mark drill hole locations. While this approach remains effective, advances in GNSS technology are changing the way sites operate.
Today, drill rig guidance systems allow operators to position and navigate directly from digital mine plans, reducing manual processes and improving efficiency.
At Red Edge Resources, we help mining companies modernise their drilling operations with advanced guidance solutions that improve accuracy and productivity.
Learn more about our Stonex Drill Rig Guidance System:
https://rededgeresources.com.au/mining-stx-drill/
What Is Traditional Survey Set-Out?
Traditional survey set-out involves a surveyor physically marking the planned drill hole locations on the ground using GNSS equipment or a total station. Operators then position the drill rig using these pegs or markings before commencing drilling.
While this method has served the industry well, it can be:
- Time-consuming
- Labour-intensive
- Dependent on repeated survey visits
- Vulnerable to disturbed or missing pegs
- Challenging in harsh weather or high-traffic mining areas
What Is Drill Rig Guidance?
A drill rig guidance system uses high-precision GNSS technology and digital design files to display planned drill locations directly in the operator’s cabin.
Instead of relying solely on physical markers, operators can navigate to the correct position using real-time coordinates and digital guidance.
This creates a more streamlined workflow while improving confidence in hole placement.
Comparing the Two Approaches
| Traditional Survey Set-Out | Drill Rig Guidance |
|---|---|
| Requires physical pegs or markings | Uses digital mine plans and GNSS positioning |
| Frequent survey intervention | Greater operator independence |
| Pegs can be damaged or removed | Digital plans remain available in the system |
| Slower setup for large drilling patterns | Faster navigation between drill locations |
| Manual verification often required | Real-time positioning displayed to the operator |
| Additional labour and mobilisation | Improved workflow efficiency |
Benefits of Drill Rig Guidance
Increased Productivity
By reducing time spent locating drill positions, operators can move between holes more efficiently and keep production moving.
Improved Accuracy
GNSS guidance helps ensure drill holes are positioned closer to the planned coordinates, reducing the risk of deviations that may impact blasting performance.
Reduced Survey Workload
Survey teams can focus on higher-value activities rather than repeatedly marking individual drill locations across active mining areas.
Better Digital Integration
Modern mine planning increasingly relies on digital workflows. Drill guidance systems help bridge the gap between planning and execution by using electronic design files directly in the field.
Lower Risk of Human Error
Real-time positioning information reduces reliance on manual measurements and visual estimation, improving consistency across drilling operations.
Can Survey Set-Out and Drill Guidance Work Together?
Absolutely.
Many mining operations use a hybrid approach where survey teams establish project control and validate critical infrastructure, while drill guidance systems handle day-to-day production drilling.
This combination can improve efficiency while maintaining confidence in overall site accuracy.
Why More Australian Mines Are Moving to Digital Guidance
As mining projects become larger and more data-driven, digital technologies are playing an increasingly important role in productivity and cost control.
Drill rig guidance offers advantages such as:
- Faster deployment
- Improved repeatability
- Reduced delays
- Better utilisation of personnel
- Enhanced operational efficiency
For many sites, these benefits contribute to measurable savings over the life of a project.
Red Edge Resources – Supporting Smarter Mining
At Red Edge Resources, we work with mining and civil contractors across Australia to deliver practical GNSS and drill guidance solutions tailored to real-world operations.
We provide:
- Stonex Drill Rig Guidance Systems
- Installation and commissioning
- Technical support
- Operator training
- Ongoing assistance for mining applications
Whether you’re upgrading an existing fleet or introducing guidance technology for the first time, our team can help you find the right solution.
Discover the Benefits of Stonex Drill Guidance
If you’re looking to improve blast hole accuracy, reduce survey dependency and modernise your drilling workflow, explore our Stonex Drill Rig Guidance System today.
👉 https://rededgeresources.com.au/mining-stx-drill/