Epiroc

Epiroc diamond core drills handle a wide range of demanding conditions, from underground exploration and surface drilling to remote-site excavation. This article covers the key features of each flagship model, the brand's unique strengths, the support network, real-world project case studies, and consumable information.

• The key features of Epiroc's main diamond core drill models
• How to match each model to the right exploration conditions
• Epiroc's strengths, support structure, and real-world project case studies

Epiroc Diamond Core Drill Products

Diamec Smart 6M

Source: Epiroc Official Website
（https://www.epiroc.com/en-xk/products/drill-rigs/exploration-drill-rigs/core-drilling-rigs/diamec-smart-6m）

A self-propelled core drilling rig designed specifically for exploration work in tunnels and underground environments. It moves quickly under its own power across uneven underground terrain and can be positioned smoothly even at difficult angles.

Automated rod handling and drilling control allow operators to stay clear of the face where rockfall risk is greatest, while keeping drilling operations efficient and waste-free. It is the right model for underground exploration jobsites that demand frequent repositioning and high operational efficiency.

Christensen 140

Source: Epiroc Official Website
（https://www.epiroc.com/en-xk/products/drill-rigs/exploration-drill-rigs/core-drilling-rigs/christensen-140）

A heavy-duty, surface-mounted core drilling rig built for stability and raw power. It reaches depths of up to 1,824 meters and retrieves large, uninterrupted core samples with consistency.

A robust structure that damps vibration and prevents deviation keeps machine-related stoppages to a minimum. It is the right model for demanding operations that require extended continuous running, such as identifying ore veins deep underground and conducting resource quantification surveys.

Boyles C5/C5C

Source: Epiroc Official Website
（https://www.epiroc.com/en-xk/products/drill-rigs/exploration-drill-rigs/core-drilling-rigs/boyles-c5）

A compact core drilling rig designed for exploration in remote locations and mountainous terrain that is inaccessible by vehicle. The rig disassembles into six modules for helicopter transport, eliminating the cost and time of building new access roads to the site.

Despite its compact form factor, it delivers high rotational torque, making it the right model for jobsites on remote islands or at elevation where demanding transport conditions cannot be allowed to compromise drilling performance.

Epiroc Is Built for Specialized Civil Jobsites Including
Mountain Infrastructure and Large-Scale Ground Investigation

Epiroc is well suited for organizations that need to solve civil engineering challenges beyond the reach of standard construction equipment—from tunnel construction with active rockfall risk to large-scale development projects requiring ground investigation beyond 1,800 meters depth.

With a lineup that spans a self-propelled underground rig with best-in-class automated safety, a heavy-duty deep-drilling machine for dam construction and similar projects, and a compact unit that cuts access road costs through helicopter deployment in mountainous terrain, Epiroc is the recommended choice for general contractors and specialist civil firms that take on demanding infrastructure projects and non-standard construction methods.

This site also features diamond core drills from a wide range of other manufacturers. Use this information to find the product that best fits your specific operational requirements.

Strengths of Epiroc

Source: Epiroc Official Website
（https://www.epiroc.com/en-xk）

High-durability in-house components and an integrated supply chain that keeps projects on schedule

Epiroc core drilling rigs are built with proven, high-durability components that have been validated in the most demanding field conditions—starting with Epiroc's own powerful rotation units. Even under the sustained stress of continuous hard-rock drilling, the design resists failure and minimizes unplanned stoppages.

Purpose-matched drill rods, core barrels, and other high-quality ancillary equipment are also supplied as part of an integrated offering—all engineered for full compatibility with the rig. This eliminates the wait time that comes with sourcing replacement third-party components after a failure, keeping even the most deadline-sensitive infrastructure projects on track.

Compliance with stringent European safety standards and data-driven quality assurance

To protect operators in the field, Epiroc rigs are built to meet strict European safety standards. Emergency stop systems and mechanisms that assist with heavy rod changes physically reduce the risk of workplace injuries on the jobsite.

The rigs also support digital management systems that record and analyze drilling parameters—including rotation speed and thrust—in real time. Visualizing this data allows even less experienced operators to avoid core burning while maintaining high-quality sample recovery. Because the captured data can be used directly as a drilling record, it also reduces the administrative burden of preparing inspection reports.

Epiroc Maintenance & After-Sales Support Network

Epiroc's support goes beyond product supply to include guidance on model selection and operational optimization tailored to each jobsite's conditions. In addition to recommending the right core drilling rig for each application, the company's application specialists provide support with a view of the entire mining and drilling workflow.

Select models in the Smart Diamec series also support recording and analysis of drilling data, providing a support foundation that makes it easier to stabilize day-to-day work quality and drive continuous operational improvement.

Epiroc Diamond Core Drill: Project Case Studies

Improved safety and productivity in underground exploration

Underground exploration work presented a number of persistent challenges: time-consuming repositioning and setup between drill holes, difficult angle positioning in tight spaces, and the need to reduce operator strain and improve safety. To address these issues, Insersa brought in the Diamec Smart 6M—a core drilling rig combining superior mobility with advanced automation.

After deployment, switching between drill locations and completing setup became noticeably smoother, making underground exploration safer and more efficient than before. Over six months of operation, measurable improvements in productivity, cost efficiency, and safety were confirmed.

Building a more capable drilling operation to handle challenging ground conditions

STAMICO, pursuing exploration and production expansion at the Geita gold mine in Tanzania, urgently needed to build a drilling capability that could handle hard, fractured ground. Under the harsh geological conditions, component wear rates were high—meaning the decision to invest came down not only to rig performance, but also to the availability of fast parts supply and technical support from Epiroc Tanzania.

Adding the Christensen 140 and Explorac 100 to the existing fleet delivered a major expansion of on-site drilling capacity. Combined with the adoption of advanced features such as safe rod-change mechanisms and remote operation, and backed by local team training and ongoing maintenance support, the foundation for sustained production growth in a challenging environment is steadily taking shape.

Epiroc Consumables & Bit Information

Epiroc's coring consumable range extends well beyond the rig itself, covering core bits, reaming shells, core barrels, rods, casings, and drilling additives. The genuine diamond core bits are purpose-designed for specific geological conditions—a key differentiator in the lineup.

Reaming shells and wireline system components are also available, making it straightforward to source everything from the rig to the consumables through a single supplier. Pricing is not available on the official website; please contact Epiroc directly for details.

About Epiroc

Headquartered in Sweden, Epiroc is a global company that delivers drilling equipment and automation technology for the mining and construction industries across approximately 150 countries. With a workforce of 19,055 employees (global headcount as of 2025)^* and an active focus on cutting-edge development including electrification, the company has built an end-to-end support structure from equipment supply through to maintenance. Its scale and technical depth make it a highly credible partner for demanding projects.