An RC drilling rig is a reverse circulation drilling system designed primarily to replace part of traditional core drilling work in mineral exploration, offering faster drilling speed, lower cost, and reliable sample quality.
What Is an RC Drilling Rig?
An RC drilling rig (reverse circulation drilling rig) is a mineral exploration drilling machine that uses compressed air to transport rock cuttings from the drill bit directly to the surface through a dual-wall drill pipe.
This reverse flow design minimizes sample contamination and ensures accurate geological sampling.
RC drilling rigs are widely used in gold, copper, iron ore, nickel, and base metal exploration projects, especially during early to mid-stage exploration.
RC Drilling Rig Parameters
| Technical Parameters | Unit | YG-400 | YG-500 | YG-600 | YG-800 | YG-1200 |
| Max drilling depth | m | 400 | 500 | 600 | 800 | 1200 |
| Hole diameter | mm | 105–305 | 105–400 | 105–450 | 105–550 | 105–800 |
| Recommended working pressure | MPa | 1.2–3.5 | 1.6–6 | 1.6–6 | 1.6–8 | 1.6–8 |
| Recommended air consumption | m³/min | 16–55 | 16–55 | 16–75 | 16–96 | 16–96 |
| Drill pipe length | m | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Recommended drill pipe diameter | mm | 89/102 | 102/114 | 102/114 | 114/127 | 127/146 |
| RC double-wall pipe diameter | mm | 89/102 | 102/114 | 102/114 | 114/127 | 127/146 |
| Feed force | T | 6 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 13 |
| Lifting force | T | 22 | 25 | 29 | 47 | 57 |
| Fast lifting speed | m/min | 20 | 23 | 29 | 29 | 30 |
| Fast feeding speed | m/min | 32 | 33 | 33 | 42 | 44 |
| Max rotary torque | Nm | 8000/4000 | 10000/5000 | 12000/6000 | 18000/9000 | 24000/12000 |
| Max rotary speed | r/min | 75/150 | 75/150 | 75/150 | 70/140 | 86/172 |
| Aux winch lifting force | T | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Mast stroke | m | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| Travel speed | km/h | 10–35 | 10–35 | 10–35 | 10–35 | 10–35 |
| Gradeability | ° | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Machine weight | T | 11 | 12 | 12.5 | 17 | 23 |
| Overall dimensions (L×W×H) | m | 7×1.85×2.86 | 7×2.1×2.9 | 7×2.1×2.9 | 10.5×2.25×3.3 | 11.5×2.25×3.4 |
| Engine | / | Yuchai 92kW | Cummins 132kW | Cummins 132kW | Cummins 194kW | Cummins 264kW |
RC Drilling Rig vs Core Drilling Rig: When RC Is the Better Choice?
Unlike a hydraulic core drilling rig, which is designed to recover intact core samples for detailed geological analysis, an RC drilling rig delivers rock cuttings directly to the surface, providing faster drilling speed and lower operational cost. This makes RC rigs especially suitable for early to mid-stage mineral exploration.
Key Differences：
| Aspect | RC Drilling Rig | Core Drilling Rig |
| Sampling type | Rock cuttings | Continuous core |
| Drilling speed | Very fast | Slow |
| Operating cost | Lower | Higher |
| Sample contamination | Very low | Very low |
| Geological continuity | Moderate | Excellent |
Key Advantages of RC Drilling Rigs
- High Drilling Efficiency: RC drilling rigs can drill significantly faster than core drilling rigs, making them ideal for large-area exploration programs.
- Reliable Sample Quality: The reverse circulation system delivers samples directly to the surface, reducing contamination and improving assay accuracy.
- Lower Exploration Cost: Lower fuel consumption, faster penetration rates, and reduced labor requirements result in lower cost per meter drilled.
- Simple Sample Handling: Dry samples are easy to collect, split, and transport for laboratory analysis.
Typical Applications of RC Drilling Rigs
RC drilling rigs are widely applied in:
- Mineral exploration and grade control
- Geological survey projects
- Pre-feasibility and feasibility studies
- Mining resource evaluation
- Brownfield and greenfield exploration
They are especially suitable for early-stage exploration where speed and cost control are critical.
What Affects RC Drilling Rig Price?
RC drilling rig price is influenced by several technical and configuration factors:
- Drilling depth capacity
- Compressor power and airflow
- Dual-wall drill pipe quality
- Chassis type (crawler or truck-mounted)
- Automation and dust collection system
- Engine brand and emission standard
Different exploration conditions require different configurations, which directly impact total equipment cost.
How to Choose the Right RC Drilling Rig?
When selecting an RC drilling rig, buyers should focus on:
- Target mineral type and drilling depth
- Required sample accuracy
- Local geological conditions
- Transportation and site accessibility
- Long-term operating cost and maintenance support
RC drilling rigs are most effective when integrated into a combined RC + core drilling exploration strategy.
Why Choose YG Machinery?
YG Machinery designs RC drilling rigs specifically for real-world exploration environments.
- Optimized air circulation and sample recovery
- Durable structural design for harsh terrain
- Flexible configurations for different exploration stages
- Competitive pricing for large-scale exploration programs
- Export experience in multiple international markets
YG RC drilling rigs are built to balance efficiency, reliability, and cost control.
FAQ: RC Drilling Rig
Q1: Can an RC drilling rig replace a core drilling rig completely?
No. It reduce the number of core drill holes required, but core drilling is still necessary for detailed geological analysis.
Q2: Is RC drilling suitable for water well drilling?
No. They are not designed for permanent water well construction.
Q3: What is the typical drilling depth of an RC drilling rig?
Most them operate between 100–500 meters, depending on configuration.
Q4: What industries use RC drilling rigs most?
Mining exploration, geological surveys, and mineral resource evaluation.
RC Drilling Rig in YG Machinery
An RC drilling rig is a cost-effective and high-speed drilling solution for mineral exploration projects. it plays a critical role in reducing reliance on core drilling during early and mid-stage exploration. For exploration companies seeking faster results and controlled budgets, RC drilling rigs are a practical and proven choice. YG Machinery has extensive export experience with both RC drilling rigs and core drilling rigs, earning excellent feedback from clients worldwide. Contact us to know more details now!【WhatsApp/WeChat/Phone】+86 13837115193.
