Kokeb Drilling & Exploration is the dedicated drilling and subsurface services division delivering high-performance blast hole drilling solutions to Zambia's mining, quarrying, and exploration sectors. We combine modern equipment, experienced personnel, and disciplined operational systems to deliver consistent, high-quality drilling performance.
Operating across Zambia — particularly in remote and logistically challenging mining environments — the division was established to meet the growing demand for reliable, technically competent drilling services. With a focus on productivity, safety, and schedule adherence, Kokeb Drilling & Exploration integrates seamlessly with mine production and blasting teams to keep operations on track.
Why Choose Kokeb Drilling
Proven Equipment
Three Sandvik D45KS rigs — globally recognised as one of the most reliable and productive blast hole drill platforms in surface mining.
Experienced Operators
Certified drill operators with proven experience in open pit production drilling across different rock types and geological conditions.
100% Zambian Contractor
Fully Zambian-owned and based — supporting mine operators' local content requirements and community impact commitments.
Integrated Support
Backed by Kokeb's broader civil, electrical, and logistics capabilities — seamless site establishment, camp setup, and access road construction support.
Kokeb's drilling division operates a fleet of three Sandvik D45KS blasthole drill rigs — one of the most respected and widely deployed production drilling platforms in the global surface mining industry.
Sandvik D45KS Technical Specifications
Drilling Methods
Rotary and Down-the-Hole (DTH) — dual capability allowing adaptation to varying geological conditions and rock hardness.
Hole Diameter Range
152 mm to 229 mm (6" to 9") — covering the most common blast hole specifications for open pit mining operations.
Maximum Drilling Depth
Up to 63 metres per hole — supporting deep bench development and single-pass requirements in high-bench mining configurations.
Engine Platform
Caterpillar CAT C15 diesel engine — proven reliability, global parts availability, and excellent torque characteristics for hard rock drilling.
Crawler Undercarriage
Stable crawler platform for uneven, rugged, and soft terrain — essential for maintaining drill productivity on typical open pit bench conditions.
Operator Cab
Extended operator cab with excellent visibility, ROPS/FOPS protection, and climate control for operator safety and productivity in Zambia's conditions.
Maintenance & Fleet Reliability
Equipment availability is the single most important metric in contract drilling. Kokeb manages rig availability through:
- Daily pre-shift equipment inspections with documented checklist completion
- Scheduled preventative maintenance aligned with Sandvik service intervals
- On-site mechanical support with trained Sandvik-familiar technicians
- Proactive spare parts inventory management — critical wear parts held on site
- Sandvik parts procurement channel with access to genuine OEM components
- Formal defect reporting and corrective action tracking to prevent recurring failures
Kokeb Drilling & Exploration provides a focused, disciplined suite of blast hole drilling services aligned with the operational requirements of open pit mining — from production blast hole drilling through to specialised bench development and exploration support.
Drilling Service Types
Production Blast Hole Drilling
Blast hole programmes designed to meet mine production targets — accurate depth, alignment, and collar spacing in accordance with approved drill patterns.
Rotary Drilling
Rotary drilling in softer formations and weathered rock — high penetration rates with cuttings removal by compressed air or water injection.
Down-the-Hole (DTH) Drilling
DTH hammer drilling for hard rock formations — consistent penetration rate and hole quality in competent, abrasive rock types.
Bench Development Drilling
Structured drilling programmes supporting mine development — bench establishment, pushback drilling, and expansion programmes aligned with mine planning schedules.
Drill Pattern Execution
Strict adherence to client-provided drill patterns and specifications — correct hole positioning, inclination, and depth for optimised blast fragmentation results.
Pre-Split & Trim Drilling
Pre-split and trim blast hole drilling to define final pit walls — requires precise alignment control and consistent hole quality to achieve stable wall performance.
Drilling Data & Reporting
Kokeb provides structured drilling production reporting aligned with client mine planning and blasting team requirements:
- Daily drill progress reports — holes completed, metres drilled, and pattern status
- Hole position as-drilled records — collar coordinates and depths
- Equipment availability and utilisation reports
- Geological observation logs from drill cuttings where required
- Deviation reports and exceptions for non-conforming holes
- Periodic programme summary reports for mine planning integration
Consistent drilling productivity is a function of operational discipline — planning, execution, monitoring, and continuous improvement. Kokeb's operational model is built on structured procedures that maximise productive drilling time while maintaining safety and equipment integrity.
Operational Management System
Pre-Shift Planning
Daily drill plan confirmed with mine planning team — pattern sections, priority areas, and sequence confirmed before shift start to minimise idle time.
Shift Handover
Structured shift handover between operators — pattern status, equipment condition, and outstanding items communicated clearly to maintain continuity.
Real-Time Monitoring
Supervisor oversight of rig performance, penetration rates, and hole quality throughout the shift — immediate intervention when performance deviates from expectation.
Performance Tracking
Daily and weekly metres drilled, availability, and utilisation tracked against programme — reported to client mine planning team with variance analysis.
Personnel & Competency
Kokeb's drilling personnel are selected for technical competence and safety commitment. Our team includes:
- Drill Operators: Certified, experienced operators with D45KS or equivalent platform experience in open pit production environments
- Drilling Supervisors: Supervisors with multi-rig management experience — responsible for pattern execution quality and team performance
- Maintenance Technicians: Trained mechanics familiar with D45KS systems — responsible for preventative maintenance and first-line fault diagnosis
- Safety Officers: Dedicated HSE representation on all drilling operations — responsible for safety compliance and incident reporting
Mobilisation & Site Establishment
Kokeb can mobilise drilling teams and equipment rapidly — drawing on the group's civil and logistics capability for access road construction, camp establishment, fuel supply, and site services. This self-sufficiency is critical in remote mining environments where third-party logistics can introduce significant programme delays.
Safety is non-negotiable in drilling operations. The hazards associated with blast hole drilling — rotating equipment, compressed air, heavy machinery movement, and proximity to blasting operations — demand a rigorous and consistent safety culture. Kokeb's HSE systems are aligned with mining industry best practice.
Drilling Safety Management
- Zero Harm Commitment: Our operational culture starts with the principle that every injury and incident is preventable — this drives every decision from planning to execution
- Mine Site Induction: All Kokeb drilling personnel complete mandatory client site induction before commencing operations on any mine site
- Daily Toolbox Talks: Structured pre-shift safety briefings covering daily hazards, equipment status, weather conditions, and blasting interface risk
- Risk Assessment: JSA and risk assessment completed before each new task or change in work area — reviewed by drilling supervisor and signed by operator
- Exclusion Zone Management: Strict drill exclusion zone discipline maintained during rig tramming, propelling, and drilling operations
- Blast Exclusion Compliance: Full compliance with mine blast exclusion protocols — rig withdrawal, muster, and clearance procedures followed without exception
- PPE Standards: Hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, high-visibility vest, steel-toed boots, and gloves are mandatory minimum PPE requirements
- Incident Reporting: Immediate reporting of all incidents including near misses and first aid treatments — with investigation and corrective action tracking
Equipment Safety Features
The Sandvik D45KS incorporates purpose-designed safety systems: ROPS/FOPS-certified operator cab; emergency stops on all critical systems; guarded rotating components; automatic rod handling to minimise manual handling of drill rods; dust suppression systems to control respirable dust; and audible reversing alarms for rig tramming operations. Kokeb maintains all safety systems in full working order — defective safety equipment results in immediate rig stand-down.
Kokeb Drilling & Exploration welcomes enquiries from mine operators, drill and blast contractors, quarry operators, and exploration companies with blast hole drilling requirements in Zambia.
What to Include in Your Enquiry
- Mine name and location
- Rock type and approximate hardness (soft, medium, hard, or very hard)
- Required hole diameter(s) and depths
- Estimated programme volume — metres per month or total holes
- Bench height and drilling inclination requirements
- Blasting interface requirements — who loads and fires
- Client safety system framework and any specific prequalification requirements
- Programme start date and duration
- Contracting model preference — contract rate per metre, shift rate, or other
Contact Kokeb Drilling & Exploration at info@kokebenterprises.com or call our Solwezi head office on +260 97 409 4000. We can provide rig specifications, operator CVs, safety statistics, and an indicative rate schedule on request.