Know every hole. As you drill.
MEET THE
MINCON X ELEMENT SMART DRILL SUB
Real-time cavity detection & hole geometry for safer, cheaper, higher-productivity drill-and-blast. Developed by Element Engineering and Mincon.
ABOUT US
Mincon Group plc is a global leader in precision drilling solutions, trusted by operators across mining, construction, water well and geotechnical industries. With decades of engineering expertise, Mincon combines innovation and reliability to deliver tools that perform in the toughest conditions. Our commitment to quality and service helps customers drill smarter, work safer and achieve more with every hole.
Element Engineering Australia partners with global leaders like Mincon to deliver advanced sensing and automation systems for mining and heavy industry. Together, Mincon and Element Engineering combine world-class hardware with cutting-edge IoT analytics to bring real-time intelligence to drilling operations.
The gaps in today's drilling technology
Modern drilling systems capture mechanical parameters like pressure, torque and penetration rate, but they don’t show what the hole actually looks like. Crews still rely on post-drill dipping and manual inspection to confirm depth and integrity.
THE SOLUTION
The Mincon x Element Smart Drill Sub
A rugged, battery-powered log-while-drilling sensor installed in a Mincon bit-sub pocket that measures diameter and depth, and flags cavities in real time, streaming data to a drill-mounted base station and dashboard.
OPERATIONAL PAIN WE REDUCE
Redrills and Collapsed Holes
Weather and geology can result in redrill rates over 9%, or higher in weak ground. LWD flags issues early so holes can be fixed before the rig leaves, reducing costly rework and safety risks on the bench.
Incorrect Charging
Wrong depth or diameter leads to wasted emulsion and poor blast results. Accurate geometry means charging to plan and fewer corrective interventions.
Manual Dipping & Re-survey
Repetitive work slows crews and increases exposure to hazards. LWD reduces manual dipping with a live trace, improving both safety and efficiency.
Stemming Errors
Poor stemming can lose up to 50% of blast energy. Accurate hole data helps get it right the first time, improving energy use and reducing unsafe rework.
THE SMART DRILL SUB SYSTEM
Smart Drill Sub
DTH Hammer
UI Dashboard
HOW IT WORKS
Simple, robust, field-ready
The system uses a sensor puck inside a 6-ft Mincon Bitsub, protected by a sapphire lens and shock absorption. It combines radar sensing with an IMU to detect events accurately. Data is stored onboard and offloaded at the end of the hole through a rig receiver. The design is simple, robust and built for the field.
The design pairs Mincon’s rugged bit-sub engineering with Element Engineering’s advanced sensor integration, creating a simple, robust system built for the world’s harshest drilling environments.
01 Drill
Drilling happens as usual with no changes to the site workflows. The system runs in the background, collecting data as the rig operates.
02 Sense
While drilling, sensors detect cavities, voids, and hole conditions in real time, giving teams instant visibility underground.
WE MEASURE: Hole diameter, true depth, cavity alerts.
03 Offload
After drilling, data is quickly and automatically offloaded with minimal input, ready for review without slowing down the job.
04 Analyse
The data is processed into clear cavity and hole maps, helping teams refine blast design, make quick adjustments and improve safety and productivity.
BUSINESS CASE
Why invest in the Mincon x Element Smart Drill Sub?
The Smart Drill Sub delivers measurable returns by turning real-time cavity and hole geometry data into immediate cost savings. It improved safety, reduces re-drills and optimises explosive charging, helping operators drill smarter, blast better and work safer.
Safety Improvement
Instant cavity detection lowers the risk of collapse and injury.
Ongoing Profitability
Fewer redrills and less waste cut production and supply chain costs.
Productivity Gains
Real-time cavity mapping and diameter logging enable better blasting and fewer disruptions.
Sustainability
Less rework and waste means lower resource use and emissions.
COST & ROI HIGHLIGHTS
A$16k - 36k
EXPLOSIVES OPTIMISATION (3-7%)
A$2.2k - 6.5k
FEWER REDRILLS (1-3%)
A$7k - 8k
REDUCED DIPPING & RE-SURVEY
~A$10m - 20m annually
ROI > 700%
Payback < 2 months
FLEET SAVINGS
=
FUTURE ROADMAP
A stepping stone to a fully autonomous drill
Future enhancements will add real-time wireless comms, advanced dashboards and AI-driven analytics for faster, smarter decisions. Integration with autonomous fleets and central control will enable full drill and blast coordination, while patentable innovations will secure a lasting competitive edge.
3D bench view
A clear visual map of the bench, combining drilling and blast data to show exactly where problems or opportunities lie.
Smarter Charging
Automated loading rules based on real hole conditions, improving blast accuracy and reducing waste.
In-hole assay while drilling
The ability to analyse material as drilling happens, unlocking new insights without extra steps.
V2 ENHANCEMENTS
Sustainability
Less rework and waste means lower resource use and emissions.
Be Part of the Future of Mining
Contact Mincon or Element Engineering to discuss trials, business case details and partnership opportunities.
Mincon Group
+61 8 9471 2700
8 Fargo Way
Welshpool, WA, 6106
Element Engineering Australia
+61 8 6262 1111
5 Carson Road
Malaga, WA, 6090