Epiroc has launched the ET55 drill string, replacing the long‑running ST58 system and extending its ET next‑generation family with a fully shoulder‑drive connection from top hammer to bit. The ET55 applies the same design principles as earlier ET systems, using a shoulder drive interface along the entire string to improve energy transfer and reduce thread wear compared with conventional threaded couplings. For mine operators running top‑hammer production drilling, the unified shoulder drive geometry should simplify string configuration and potentially extend service life in abrasive ground.

Redpath Africa Operations Executive Pieter Oosthuysen argues that Africa’s mining growth depends on building local technical capability and systems, not just sinking new shafts into high-grade orebodies. He points to integrating digital mine planning tools with mechanised development fleets and rigorous safety management to lift productivity in deep, labour-intensive operations common across the continent. For geotechnical and mining teams, the message is a shift towards long-term skills development, data-driven decision-making and closer OEM–contractor collaboration on complex underground projects.

Delta Lithium is preparing to drill six new reconnaissance lithium targets across its 2325km² Yinnetharra tenure in Western Australia, following surface mapping and geochemical sampling. The company plans first-pass drilling in Q4 2026 while ongoing work at the nearby Mt Ida project continues to refine the pegmatite geometry and broader geological model. For geologists and drill planners, the expanded target pipeline signals a shift from regional geochem to drill-ready prospects, with potential for multiple spodumene-bearing pegmatite corridors if early holes confirm continuity.