Adopting the hands-free revolution

Two decades ago, rod changing was deemed the most tedious and dangerous aspect of exploration drilling worldwide, and many operators felt uneasy about this part of their workday. Today, exploration drillers can look back on those days as a distant memory. The idea of manually lifting a 6-meter-long drill string weighing over 40 kg and mounting it on the drill rig is quickly becoming obsolete.

 

All thanks to a revolutionary Rod Handling System (RHS) developed by Epiroc.

A cornerstone of the modern worksite

For INSERSA, a specialist in exploration and drilling services in Spain and Portugal, manual rod handling not only hindered the company’s safety and efficiency goals but also workplace inclusion.

 

The company, which maintains a long-standing strategic collaboration with Epiroc, decided to implement the RHS system in 2022 and has observed transformative results since then.
“We have not only reduced operational risks but also increased productivity and extended the life of the rods thanks to more efficient and controlled handling,” says Javier Pérez Lira, Exploration Division Manager at INSERSA.

“Our decision to incorporate this technology was driven by our commitment improve the occupational safety of our employees, include women in drilling operations, and to comply with load limitations established for manual rod handling,” he adds.

INSERSA is headquartered in Minas de Riotinto, in the province of Huelva, Andalusia. Since its founding in 1988, it has been a key player in underground mining in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, one of Europe’ most mining areas.

Benefits beyond safety 

 

In addition to relying on Epiroc for various mining equipment and specialized technical service, INSERSA now has direct experience with the latest version of the RHS system for Epiroc’s Christensen CT 140.

According to Juana López, Drilling Operator at Insersa, the RHS system not only eliminates the need to manually add or remove rods during the drilling cycle but is also easy to maintain.

“The RHS system is easy to use, intuitive, and very fast. It improves operational safety but also significantly increases the life of the rod threads, since screwing and unscrewing are done automatically,” she says.

This, adds Javier Pérez Lira, is a typical example of how Epiroc’s automation advances are transforming the exploration industry in more ways than one.

“We have observed an increase in the lifespan of consumables, which translates into direct savings on materials and greater operational efficiency. The reduction in rod handling time also speeds up each drilling sequence.

“Our productivity per shift has increased, with more meters drilled and fewer interruptions, which allows us to optimize resources and improve daily team planning,” says Javier Pérez Lira.

Rod changing without manual intervention

The updated RHS system ensures uptime in more demanding environments than ever, now equipped with tracks for relocation and positioning, as well as a beam-mounted chain to improve performance in wet conditions.

Since adopting RHS, Javier Pérez Lira says that it has not only met initial expectations but has generated a broader positive impact on operations and on staff development and training.

“We have achieved greater stability in our work quality by reducing variability associated with physical effort and operator fatigue.

“Overall, the RHS system has contributed to a safer, more sustainable, and profitable work environment,” he concludes.

Note: The updated version of the Rod Handling System is also available for Epiroc Boyles C6 and C6C surface core drilling rigs as of late 2025.