Mineral Exploration Drilling Equipment Fleet
Diamond Core & Reverse Circulation Drilling Rigs
KP Exploration operates a modern fleet of track-mounted core drilling and truck mounted reverse circulation (RC) rigs designed to support mineral exploration, geotechnical investigation, and resource development projects throughout the Western United States.
Our equipment is selected for performance, safety, depth capability, and reliability in remote and technically demanding environments. Each rig is maintained to strict operational standards and supported by experienced field crews with decades of combined drilling experience.
This equipment fleet allows KP Exploration to execute exploration programs ranging from shallow reconnaissance drilling to deep, high-capacity core programs across diverse geological conditions
Core Drilling Rigs
KP Exploration’s diamond core drilling fleet is designed for high-performance mineral exploration, delivering strong core recovery, deep drilling capability, and operational safety in both remote and developed mining environments.
Boart Longyear LF™300 (2026 Model)
The Boart Longyear LF™300 represents one of the most advanced surface core drilling rigs available in the industry today. Built for deep exploration drilling and enhanced safety performance, this rig is designed to improve efficiency while reducing driller exposure during rod handling.
Key Features:
Freedom™ Loader hands-free rod handling system
Advanced safety control systems
Remote operation capabilities
High-performance deep drilling design
Excellent core recovery in challenging formations
Drilling Capability:
Up to ~10,040 ft (NQ configuration)
HQ and NQ wireline coring
Deep exploration drilling programs
Complex geological formations
The LF™300 allows KP Exploration to execute deep and technically demanding drilling programs while maintaining industry-leading safety standards and operational efficiency.
VersaDrill Canada KMN 1.4S
The VersaDrill KMN 1.4S is a high-performance track-mounted core drilling rig engineered for versatility, mobility, and efficient operation in remote exploration environments.
Key Features:
Compact track-mounted design for remote access
High torque rotary head system
Efficient rod handling system
Strong performance in variable terrain conditions
Designed for rapid mobilization and setup
Drilling Capability:
HQ, NQ, and PQ (HWT) wireline coring
Up to approximately 4,600 ft (NQ configuration)
Exploration and resource definition drilling
Remote and mountainous terrain operations
This rig is ideal for exploration programs requiring flexibility, mobility, and consistent performance across challenging field conditions.
Boart Longyear LF™90
The Boart Longyear LF™90 is a proven surface core drilling rig designed for efficient exploration drilling and dependable performance across a wide range of geological conditions.
Key Features:
Reliable mechanical design for field durability
Efficient rod handling system
Strong performance in medium-depth drilling programs
Easy maintenance and operational simplicity
Drilling Capability:
HQ and NQ wireline coring
Exploration and geotechnical drilling
Moderate-depth drilling programs
Variable terrain operations
The LF™90 remains a trusted platform for consistent production drilling and exploration programs requiring reliability and efficiency.
Reverse Circulation (RC) Drilling Rigs
KP Exploration operates a dedicated fleet of reverse circulation (RC) drilling rigs designed for high-efficiency mineral exploration, grade control, and large-scale geochemical sampling programs.
Reverse circulation drilling is widely used in mineral exploration because it provides fast penetration rates, high sample integrity, and reduced contamination risk. Unlike conventional rotary drilling, RC drilling uses dual-wall drill pipe to bring rock cuttings directly to the surface through the inner tube, allowing for cleaner and more accurate sample recovery—especially important in gold, copper, lithium, and critical mineral exploration programs.
Our RC fleet is engineered for remote access, high production rates, and consistent sampling in challenging ground conditions, including fractured rock, alluvial cover, and hard rock environments common throughout the Western United States.
VersaDrill Mark 70 – High-Production RC Exploration Rig
The VersaDrill Mark 70 is a heavy-duty, high-capacity exploration drilling rig designed for demanding reverse circulation applications across remote and variable terrain.
This rig combines high pullback capability with strong air and mud support systems, making it suitable for both shallow and deeper RC exploration programs.
Key Specifications & Features:
Up to 70,000 lbs pullback force
Up to 28,000 lbs pulldown force
High-torque top head drive system
Air rotary and reverse circulation capable configuration
Hydraulic feed system for smooth penetration control
Designed for remote exploration mobilization
Supports air rotary, RC drilling, and geothermal applications
Applications:
Mineral exploration drilling
Geochemical sampling programs
Greenfield exploration projects
Resource definition drilling
Remote and high-mobility exploration campaigns
The Mark 70 is designed for productivity in large-scale exploration programs where consistent sample production and mobility are critical to project success.
VersaDrill V2000 – Heavy-Duty Deep RC Exploration Rig
The VersaDrill V2000 is a high-performance reverse circulation and exploration drilling rig designed for deeper and more technically demanding RC programs.
This rig is built for strength, depth capability, and sustained production, making it well-suited for advanced mineral exploration projects requiring consistent drilling performance over extended programs.
Key Specifications & Features:
Approximately 80,000 lbs pullback capacity
High-horsepower diesel power system (commonly CAT C18 class engines)
Heavy-duty top head drive system for high torque drilling
Dual-slide mast configuration for improved control and stability
Designed for continuous RC production drilling
Capable of both air rotary and RC drilling configurations
Applications:
Deep reverse circulation drilling programs
Resource expansion and infill drilling
Advanced-stage mineral exploration
Large-scale exploration campaigns in remote terrain
Hard rock and fractured formation drilling
The V2000 is a production-focused RC rig built for consistency, depth capability, and reliability in long-duration exploration programs.
Atlas Copco T-3W – Heavy-Duty RC & Rotary Exploration Rig
The Atlas Copco T-3W is a proven, high-powered drilling rig widely used in exploration and production environments where durability and torque are critical.
This rig is known for its rugged mechanical design, strong rotary performance, and ability to operate in harsh drilling environments, making it a dependable platform for RC drilling in difficult ground conditions.
Key Specifications & Features:
Heavy-duty rotary and RC-capable configuration
High torque rotary head system for hard rock drilling
Air compressor support systems for RC applications
Robust track-mounted or truck-mounted configuration (depending on build)
Designed for long service life in demanding field conditions
Strong performance in abrasive and fractured formations
Applications:
Reverse circulation drilling programs
Hard rock mineral exploration
Geochemical sampling and grade control drilling
Remote and rugged terrain drilling projects
Water well and auxiliary drilling applications (configuration dependent)
The T-3W remains a reliable workhorse rig for exploration programs requiring durability, mechanical simplicity, and consistent field performance.
Reverse Circulation Drilling Method Overview
Reverse circulation drilling is a highly efficient exploration method that uses dual-wall drill pipe to deliver cuttings directly to the surface through an inner tube, minimizing contamination and improving sample quality.
Key advantages include:
Faster drilling rates in suitable formations
Improved sample integrity and reduced contamination
Efficient large-area exploration coverage
Lower operational cost per meter drilled
Effective performance in both soft overburden and hard rock
RC drilling is widely used in gold, lithium, copper, uranium, and critical mineral exploration programs, especially in early-stage target definition and resource expansion drilling.
RC Fleet Capability Advantage
KP Exploration’s RC fleet is designed for high-production exploration drilling across the Western United States, supporting programs that require:
Rapid mobilization to remote sites
Consistent sample quality and chain-of-custody integrity
High penetration rates in variable geology
Multi-shift (24-hour) drilling capability on select projects
Integration with geological and assay workflows
Combined with experienced drilling crews and modern equipment, our RC fleet allows KP Exploration to support exploration programs from early-stage reconnaissance through advanced resource evaluation.