Industry Insights

CHD vs NQ Drill Rods: Selecting the right consumable for in-seam drilling
CHD and NQ are the two most widely used drill rod classes in underground in-seam directional drilling — but choosing between them is not simply a purchasing decision. It affects torque transfer, directional control, fatigue life, telemetry continuity and overall productivity. This guide breaks down the key differences, application scenarios, and what that means for your drilling program. Read more...
Directional Drilling in Australian Underground Coal: Equipment Compliance Guide
Underground coal mines in Australia require more than a compliance checkbox. This guide covers IECEx certification requirements under AS/NZS 60079, what equipment must be certified for Zone 0 and Zone 1 hazardous environments, how to verify supplier claims, and why operational reliability matters just as much as paperwork. Written by the STS Technical Team. Read more...
How MACROMEC eliminates MECCA installation failures
Underground drilling doesn't care about ideal conditions. Legacy MECCA systems have served the industry for decades — but their failure pathways are now well understood: moisture ingress, installation inconsistency, and signal interruption at the worst possible moment. A telemetry failure during active drilling means lost survey confidence, non-productive time, and in serious cases, a full rod pull. On a long underground hole, that's expensive fast. MACROMEC was engineered from first principles to eliminate those failure pathways entirely — delivering stable telemetry continuity downhole, underground, and under load. Read more...
IECEx vs ATEX: What Underground Coal Mines Need to Know
IECEx and ATEX are both hazardous-area certification frameworks for equipment operating in explosive atmospheres — but they are not interchangeable, and for Australian underground coal mining, the distinction is critical. ATEX alone is generally not accepted by Australian mining regulators. IECEx is the required compliance pathway, particularly for downhole survey systems and telemetry tools operating in Zone 0 methane environments. But certification is only part of the story. The real operational challenge is maintaining guaranteed telemetry continuity in harsh underground drilling conditions. The STS Technical Team explains what operators need... Read more...
UIS vs SIS Directional Drilling: What Underground Coal Operators Need to Know
UIS and SIS directional drilling are not interchangeable. Learn the key differences in compliance, equipment and telemetry for underground coal operations. Read more...
What Is a MECCA Assembly and Why Do They Fail?
MECCA assemblies fail underground due to moisture ingress, connector degradation and vibration. Learn why — and what MACROMEC does differently. Read more...