By Alex Parker, Drilling Optimisation Specialist, Krux Analytics

Drilling is one of the most expensive and operationally complex parts of mining. It’s also one of the most data rich. Every shift,every rig, every meter drilled generates information that can (and should) be used to improve performance. But without the right tools, that data remains just numbers on a page.

Optimization isn’t about working harder. It’s about working smarter. And smarter starts with visibility.

At Krux, we’ve seen firsthand how real-time insight can transform drilling operations. When teams can see what’s happening, as it happens (not days or weeks later) they can make faster decisions, reduce downtime, and maximize productivity.

The Problem with “After the Fact”

In many operations, drilling performance is reviewed retrospectively. Reports are compiled, spreadsheets are updated, and decisions are made based on what happened last month. But by then, the opportunity to intervene has passed, and most likely, so has a flurry of emails trying to figure out what’s going on.

Without real-time visibility, it’s difficult to track shift performance, monitor equipment usage, or understand why delays are occurring. It’s even harder to compare rigs, crews, and drillers — and identify who’s performing best or where training might be needed.

This lack of insight leads to inefficiencies, missed targets, and unnecessary costs.

What Optimization Looks Like with Krux

Krux gives mining and drilling teams the ability to monitor operations in real time. Daily Shift Reports (DSRs), Daily Drilling Reports (DDRs) or PLOD (depending where you are in the world) capture performance data directly from the field, and dashboards provide instant access to metrics that matter.

Standby time (arguably one of the biggest hidden costs) can be broken down and analyzed. Companies can see exactly why rigs aren’t drilling, and take action to reduce idle time. Equipment usage, bit performance, fuel consumption, and engine hours are all tracked and correlated,giving teams a complete picture of operational health.

Sometimes it’s as simple as using the right bits at the right times. Having the best bit for the job means drillers can minimize the time they spend changing bits and maximize drilling rate.

That’s not just a technical improvement – it’s a financial one.

A Case Study in Optimization

Barrick Gold faced a challenge: the need to expand a mine and add five to seven years to its life. With four contractors, 28 rigs, and a two-year timeline, they needed to optimize, and fast.

Partnering with Krux, Barrick implemented a data analytics solution that transformed their drill program. Within two quarters, they identified top-performing rigs, reduced standby time, discovered shift report discrepancies, and increased operational revenue.

“With Krux we were achieving more meters,” said Patricia Frisch, Head of Mineral Resource Management. “Every metric you could look at —from standby time, which we reduced from 66% to 46%, to downtime, which we took from 9.5% down to 6.1% — was improved.”

That’s the power of optimization – it’s not just about drilling faster, it’s about drilling smarter.

Why It Matters Now

Mining is under more pressure than ever before — from investors, regulators, and the market. Efficiency is no longer optional, it’s a competitive necessity.

Real-time optimization allows companies to respond faster,allocate resources more effectively, and make decisions based on what’s happening now. It turns reactive operations into proactive ones.

And it’s not just for the big players. Whether you’re running two rigs or twenty, the principles are the same. Visibility leads to insight. Insight leads to action. Action leads to results.

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