Endeavor is an underground silver-zinc-lead mine in central-western New South Wales, about 40 kilometres north of Cobar in the Cobar Basin, one of Australia’s premier polymetallic mineral provinces. At Endeavor, Robit is responsible for a full Managed Service Contract for drilling consumables – one of Robit’s first underground sites to use this model in Australia.
From consignment stock to managed service
Mining companies typically choose between two basic models for their rock tool supply. In a consignment stock arrangement, the supplier holds inventory on-site and the mine draws what it needs, while planning, tracking, and refurbishment largely remain the mine’s responsibility.
In a Managed Service Contract, the supplier takes an active role in forecasting, supplying, tracking, and refurbishing tools on-site. This is the preferred model at bigger operations.
“Most large customers prefer a service contract to consignment stocks, especially when there are five or more rigs on-site,” says Robit’s Peter Healey, Technical Development. “It allows accurate supply to each rig and lets the customer track the performance of the rig and crew. It also enables refurbishment of the drill string components on-site where possible.”
For Robit, this is a relatively new way of working in Australia. Endeavor is one of the early adopters of the model, alongside Gold Fields’ Agnew operation in Western Australia.
Life-cycle responsibility
”At Endeavor, we have assumed full life-cycle responsibility for their rock tools – from forecasting, supply, and on-site logistics to product support, refurbishment, targeted personnel training, and comprehensive performance reporting with data analysis,” Peter explains. “We manage the day-to-day operation of their rock tools and collaborate with them to drive continuous on-site improvements.”
Refurbishment on-site extends bit life where conditions allow, helping to lower drilling costs. “Lower cost-per-meter through managed control of the drill consumables and operator training to get the most out of the product,” is how Peter sums it up.
How it works on-site
On-site, the Robit operative visits all drill rigs on weekdays. Each day begins underground, with drill strings checked, failed components replaced, and blunt bits exchanged for refurbished or new ones. All changes are logged at the rig, which links tools and drilled meters to specific rigs and crews.
The work continues in the surface workshop. The blunt bits are refurbished: a depletion bath exposes the carbides, which are then sharpened on a bit grinding machine. The refurbished bits return to stock, ready for another cycle underground.
Robit’s agreement with Polymetals at Endeavor has been in place since late 2024, with the service component added in March 2025.
Still in its early stages at Robit, the concept of Managed Service Contracts is quickly taking shape and will be offered to any new Australian customer with multi-rig sites.
