Renting vs Buying a Drill Rig: What Makes Sense for Your Project

For many mining and quarry operations, the question isn't whether you need a drill rig, it's whether you should own one. NIKHI GROUP rents drill rigs in-country (our PRD OZ RC is in our fleet, and other PRD models are available on request), so we see both sides of this decision every day.

When renting makes sense

• Defined campaigns: exploration programmes, contract drilling or a mine start-up have a clear end date. Paying for a rig only while it works keeps costs aligned with the project.
• Capital is better spent elsewhere: a rig is a major purchase. Renting keeps that capital free for development, people and processing.
• Requirements change: hole diameter, depth and method can change as you learn more about the deposit. Renting lets you switch to a better-suited rig instead of making do.
• Speed: sourcing, importing and commissioning a new rig takes time. An in-country rental fleet shortens the path to the first hole.

When buying makes sense

• Long, steady production drilling over many years with predictable requirements.
• An in-house maintenance team, workshop and spare-parts supply already in place.

Matching the rig to the job

Whichever route you take, the rig must fit the work. Our rental range covers (PRD OZ RC available now, other models on request):

• Exploration: PRD OZ RC (450 m RC capacity)
• Large open-pit blast holes: PRD BH 45 250 (150–250 mm, 45 m) and BH 30 160 (165–203 mm, 37 m)
• Smaller mines: PRD BH 15 100 (100–165 mm, 16 m)
• Excavator-mounted blast hole drilling: PRD EX 65 (115–165 mm, 24 m)
• Quarries and dimension stone: PRD HC 500 M and HC 500 D
• Pit dewatering: PRD Weep Hole (up to 250 m horizontal)

Talk to us

Tell us your hole size, depth, rock type, site location and project duration. We'll confirm availability and the right configuration with a rental quote.