RC Drilling Tools for Faster Discovery in Any Formation

Drill King’s RC drilling equipment delivers faster penetration rates, accurate uncontaminated samples, and lower operating costs — engineered to support every stage of the mineral exploration cycle, from grassroots programs to grade control drilling.

RC Drilling — Faster, Deeper, More Accurate Samples

The need for clean, uncontaminated samples drove the development of reverse circulation (RC) drilling in the 1990s, and the technology has been continuously improving ever since — driven by the exploration industry’s demand for drilling deeper and in more difficult geological conditions. Reverse circulation drilling is now the most cost-effective method for grade control sampling and initial geological data acquisition across the majority of hard rock mineral exploration programs globally.

At Drill King, we have engineered our RC hammer range — the DKI XT RC50 — for maximum performance with a simple design and reduced internal component count. Performing at the very highest level in line with the best available in the market, it produces accurate samples faster from deeper holes in a wide range of drilling conditions. RC is also significantly faster than diamond core drilling, meaning more holes drilled per shift, lower cost per metre, and faster data for your geological team.

Reverse Circulation (RC) Drilling

RC drilling uses a dual-wall drill string to return drill chips to surface through the inner tube while air circulates down the annulus — producing clean, uncontaminated samples with minimal cross-contamination between intervals. Faster than core drilling, more cost-effective per metre, and capable of reaching significant depths in hard rock exploration programs. Ideal for grade control, resource delineation, and initial geological characterisation.

Diamond Core Drilling

Core drilling recovers a continuous rock cylinder and provides detailed structural and geotechnical information beyond sample grade alone. Essential for resource estimation and feasibility studies where orientation data is required. However, core drilling is significantly slower and more expensive per metre than RC — making RC the preferred method where sample grade data is the primary exploration objective at early to mid-stage programs.

Key Features & Benefits of Drill King RC Equipment

01

Superior Penetration Rate

The DKI XT RC50 hammer is engineered for maximum impact frequency and energy transfer — delivering superior penetration rates in all hard rock formations encountered in mineral exploration, from granite and basalt to dolerite and ironstone. More metres per shift means faster geological data and a lower cost per metre across your entire exploration program.

02

Accurate, Uncontaminated Samples

The RC dual-wall system keeps drill chips cleanly separated from the annular air stream, returning uncontaminated, representative samples to surface for every interval. This sample integrity is essential for reliable grade estimation, resource modelling, and geological interpretation — and is the primary reason RC has become the dominant exploration drilling method in hard rock programs worldwide.

03

Simple Design, Fewer Internal Parts

The XT RC50 hammer is designed with simplicity as a core engineering objective — fewer internal components means less to wear, less to service, and less that can fail on remote exploration programs. This reduced parts count translates directly to faster service turnarounds, lower spare parts inventory requirements, and greater operational continuity on programs where rig downtime is costly.

04

High Performance at Low Air Consumption

Drill King's RC50 is engineered for high performance with low air consumption — delivering the penetration rates required for productive exploration drilling without demanding excessive compressor capacity. This makes the RC50 compatible with a wider range of compressor and booster configurations typically used on exploration programs, from mobile contractor rigs to large track-mounted exploration drill setups.

05

Deeper Holes in Difficult Conditions

The XT RC50 is specifically designed to perform in the most difficult geological conditions — from highly abrasive formations that destroy lesser hammers rapidly, to water-sensitive or fractured rock where borehole stability and sample quality become critical issues. The hammer maintains performance through difficult intervals that challenge conventional RC tools.

06

Custom Bit Diameters on Request

Standard XT RC50 button bits are available in 5-3/8" to 5-3/4" (136.5–146 mm) diameters to suit the most widely used RC drill string standards. Custom bit diameters — including 5" to 5-1/4" (127–133 mm) — are also available on request, allowing the RC50 to be matched to non-standard drill string configurations or specific exploration program requirements without compromising performance.

DTH & RC Equipment for the Exploration Industry

DKI XT RC50 — RC Air Hammer

The flagship Drill King RC hammer for mineral exploration. Designed for maximum performance with a simple, reduced-component internal design that minimises service requirements on site. Delivers superior penetration rates and accurate chip samples from deeper holes in hard rock geological conditions. Standard bit diameters 5-3/8″–5-3/4″ (136.5–146 mm), with custom sizes available on request for specialist exploration programs.

RC Button Bits

Matched RC button bits designed to work in combination with the XT RC50 hammer — precision-engineered for efficient chip clearance through the dual-wall sample return system. Available in standard exploration diameters (5-3/8″ to 5-3/4″ / 136.5–146 mm) and custom sizes, with multiple carbide grades and face configurations to suit the specific hardness and abrasivity of your exploration target formations.

DTH Air Hammers — Pre-Collar & Overburden Drilling

Drill King’s DTH air hammer range supports exploration pre-collar drilling, overburden penetration, and transitional zone drilling ahead of RC programs. Where overburden or weathered material must be drilled prior to entering fresh rock for RC sampling, Drill King DTH hammers provide reliable open hole penetration to complement the RC program and maintain sample quality from the top of the fresh rock intersection.

DTH Button Bits — Pre-Collar & Air Rotary

Button bits for DTH air rotary pre-collar drilling and air rotary operations in exploration programs — available in multiple carbide grades and face profiles for soft to extremely hard formation work. Matched to Drill King’s DTH air hammer range for consistent performance throughout the full drilling sequence from collar to sample depth.

DTH Shock Absorbers

In-line shock absorbers to protect RC rig rotation heads and drill strings from the cumulative vibration loads generated during high-frequency RC and DTH drilling operations — especially important on deep programs where drill string weight and vibration transmission increase significantly with depth.

DTH Ancillary Products

Adaptor subs, stabilizers, fishing tools, hammer oils, and thread greases — a full range of ancillary products to support the operational continuity of exploration drilling programs in the field, where access to replacement components can be limited and efficient tool management is critical to program economics.

Explore the Equipment Behind the Sample

RC Air Hammers & Button Bits

DTH Air Hammers

DTH Air Button Bit

WAI Water Hammer

Ancillary Products

ISO
9001
2015

Commitment to Quality

Drill King is proud to be ISO 9001:2015 certified as of September 2017. This certification underpins our promise of world-class quality and our commitment to continual improvement across every RC hammer, button bit, and DTH drilling product we manufacture and supply to the exploration industry worldwide.

Need a Custom Solution for Your Exploration Program?

Have specific formation challenges, drill string standards, or custom bit diameter requirements? Speak with our technical team today and learn how Drill King can support your exploration drilling program — from grassroots through to grade control.