During PDAC 2026 in Toronto, Comacchio S.p.A. announced the official launch of Comacchio X, its new Mineral Exploration Division. The creation of this dedicated division marks a strategic milestone in the company’s continued evolution and reinforces its long-term commitment to the mineral exploration sector.
A dedicated structure for a specialized industry
The mineral exploration sector is characterized by demanding operational environments, strict safety standards, and a constant need for high-performance equipment. With more than 20 years of experience in the design and construction of exploration drilling rigs and over 500 rigs sold across more than 40 countries worldwide, Comacchio has built internationally recognized expertise in the sector. In 2021, Comacchio took an important step forward by launching a dedicated product line for exploration drilling rigs, marking the beginning of focused diversification in this segment and a commitment to further developing specialized technical solutions. Comacchio X is a new milestone in this journey, reflecting both the company’s growth and the increasing specialization required by the mineral exploration market.
‘Throughout this journey, the importance of supporting customers with dedicated, highly specialized expertise in response to the distinct technical, operational, and safety-driven demands of the exploration drilling market has made it clear that a focused organizational structure is essential,’ stated Emanuele Comacchio, Technical & Sales Manager of the Division. ‘Comacchio X brings together dedicated commercial and technical specialists focused exclusively on the mineral exploration sector, including engineers, geologists, and experienced industry consultants.’
This structure allows customers to receive comprehensive consultancy at every stage, from machine selection and configuration to on-site commissioning and after-sales support. Dedicated assistance is also provided in selecting the most suitable drilling equipment according to specific geological and operational conditions, ensuring operational continuity and minimizing downtime.
The new identity:
Engineering continuity, vision for the future
The name ‘Comacchio X’ reflects both continuity and ambition.
‘The direct reference to Comacchio reaffirms continuity with the same high engineering standards and manufacturing quality that have always defined its identity,’ explains Andrea Maida, Division Manager. ‘The ‘X’ symbolizes our determination to go beyond known boundaries, explore new technological frontiers, and develop innovative solutions to address future industry challenges.’
The division also adopts a distinct visual identity, characterized by orange, the color closely associated with mining and mineral oxidation processes, further strengthening its sector-specific positioning.
The CX Line: Versatility and performance
At the core of the new division is the CX line of drilling rigs for mineral exploration, designed to deliver maximum versatility, power, and adaptability. The range is available in both truck-mounted and crawler-mounted configurations, ensuring the flexibility required to operate in different site conditions and logistical contexts.
Designed to support diamond drilling (DD), reverse circulation (RC), and grade control (GC), CX rigs can also be configured as multipurpose units that integrate multiple drilling technologies into a single machine.
The line includes ten models dedicated to diamond drilling, with pullback capacities ranging from 10 to 30 tonnes (22 000 to 66 000 lb), and 12 models designed for RC and GC applications, with capacities of up to 50 tonnes (110 000 lb). Engine power ranges from 119 kW to 727 kW for RC machines with an integrated compressor, available in Stage IIIA/Tier 3 and Stage V/Tier 4f versions to ensure compliance with different international emissions regulations.
The modular and flexible design, based on a highly efficient hydraulic system, is supported by a wide range of rotary heads, with torque up to 37 500 Nm and speeds up to 1500 RPM, and by many accessories designed to adapt to specific geological and operational conditions.
‘Through continuous dialog with our customers and careful analysis of their needs, we are able to develop tailor-made machines and provide mine-ready solutions, complete with the documentation required by the mine, which ensures fast and efficient commissioning immediately after delivery,’ continues Emanuele Comacchio.
Safety first: Innovation driven by responsibility
The mining industry places great importance on operator safety, with strict international health and safety standards. Safety is also the guiding principle behind Comacchio X’s engineering philosophy. ‘For us at Comacchio X, innovation stems first and foremost from the responsibility to protect those who work on our machines every day,’ emphasizes Andrea Maida. Comacchio drilling rigs are designed to meet, and often exceed, the highest safety standards, integrating advanced technologies to protect operators at every stage. The new CX line introduces innovative solutions designed to simplify drilling operations and reduce manual intervention during rod handling.
Firstly, for all machines in the CX line, the rod-handling system can be controlled remotely via radio remote control. The automation of the main functions allows the operator to manage tramming, setup, drilling, and rod-handling operations while remaining at a safe distance from the machine or operating from a climate-controlled control cabin near the rig. The control interface has been designed to be intuitive and adaptable to different operational applications.
In addition, depending on the type of drilling, CX series rigs can be equipped with three rod-handling systems, each designed to meet specific operational requirements. For diamond drilling rigs, for example, a rod-handling system has been developed that uses a manipulator arm mounted directly on the machine frame. The device, designed to handle rods from B-size to P-size, picks them up from the side rack using two clamps and positions them precisely along the drilling axis, ensuring proper alignment with the rotary head and the rod threads during loading operations. The particularly compact design reduces the operational footprint within the work area, distinguishing it from traditional systems commonly found on the market, which are often designed as independent auxiliary equipment requiring large rod tables or racks positioned in front of the drilling rig. Moreover, integrating the system into the machine structure provides significant logistical advantages: transport and installation become faster and simpler, helping to reduce mobilization times on site. Diamond drilling rigs equipped with this system can be transported in a single load, along with approximately 270 m (900 ft) of rods, delivering benefits for both operating costs and environmental impact.
For RC drill rigs, the CX line instead uses a more conventional rod-handling system based on a loading arm that picks up rods from a rod-rack table placed in front of the machine and aligns them with the mast and rotary head. This is a robust, well-established solution designed to handle double-wall RC rods with diameters ranging from 4 to 4.5 in and lengths up to 6 m (20 ft). The same system can also be used with conventional coring rods, thereby covering a wide spectrum of operational configurations. The loading arm has been designed with safety features that prevent rods from falling, even in the event of thread failure, helping to reduce risks during drilling operations.
Alongside these traditional configurations, Comacchio has also developed an advanced version of the rod-loading system for RC rigs, featuring an integrated onboard rod magazine. This system can store up to 50 rods with 4 in diameter or 36 rods with 4.5 in diameter, providing a total onboard capacity of 300 m (984 ft) or 216 m (709 ft) of rods (depending on the configuration) directly on the rig. This solution significantly increases the rig’s operational autonomy, reducing the need for rod resupply during drilling. At the same time, the system maintains external loading flexibility, allowing additional rods to be placed on side supports next to the machine. From there, the loading arm can pick them up and insert them into the drilling cycle. This configuration combines high-integrated storage capacity with the option of external feeding, offering a solution particularly well-suited to RC operations requiring operational continuity and fast drilling cycles.
Within the CX range, the CX 20A is one of the most advanced automation solutions for RC-GC applications. It integrates a fully automatic feed and a rod-loading system with a patented side carousel, capable of holding up to 45 rods, each 3 m (9.8 ft) long; or in total, 135 m (443 ft). The carousel automatically transfers the rods to the pickup position, where a mechanical arm aligns them with the mast and rotary head, while the next rod is simultaneously prepared for the following cycle.
This configuration automates a large part of the rod-handling operations, improving both efficiency and operational safety. The CX 20A is also equipped with a climate-controlled operator cabin and monitoring cameras, allowing drilling operations to be comfortably managed by a single operator while significantly reducing cycle times. The machine is also designed to be transported on a single truck together with the required rod package, facilitating movement between drilling locations and reducing setup time between holes.
The CX rigs include certified work platforms and protection cages, designed to reduce risk significantly. Together with advanced dust suppression systems, Comacchio X’s comprehensive approach ensures a safer working environment for both personnel and the surrounding ecosystem.
Future outlook: Digitalization and interconnectivity
One of the key features of the CX line is the software and data analysis technology powering the rigs. All CX rigs can be supplied with a fleet control system that is tailored to the needs of exploration drilling. The ComNect™ system gives clients a complete overview of the equipment status and operations in real time, 24/7, from anywhere in the world. ComNect™ collects and communicates vital equipment data to the client via a web portal. If no Internet connection is available, the data is stored locally and can be exported on a USB key. All the information can be viewed on a touch-screen display installed on the rig, which makes data access much more user-friendly. Starting from 2027, the system will be upgraded to provide additional Wi-Fi connectivity to cope with poor network coverage, through interface with satellite-based connectivity services or local Wi-Fi networks.
Thanks to the use of state-of-the art sensor technology, ComNect™ gives clients a full overview of the efficiency and performance of their machines. All data collected by the engine’s ECU as well as core data of the rig’s hydraulics is ingested into the ComNect™ system. At the same time, the ComNect™ system ensures accurate drilling parameters recording (including drilling depth and speed, drilling fluid pressure, volume and flow, rotary pressure, mast inclination). The ComNect™ software applied on CX rigs has been tailored for the acquisition of data that are critical for exploration applications, ensuring more complete and accurate datasets, as well as meeting the reporting requirements set by the mines. Production records can be customized according to specific needs. Moreover, the system provides bi-directional data exchange, thus allowing predefined lists of elements to be imported into the rigs, so that drilling tasks can be configured and the progress of the drilling project can be monitored remotely.
‘Innovation for us also means ensuring service continuity and operational efficiency through digital interconnectivity,’ explains Andrea Maida. ‘We are working on a major update of the ComNect™ system that will ensure that the data collected by the rigs is continuously sent over the internet and stored in a large, flexible cloud storage system that will be open to client review through standard APIs. This will ensure that the data is accessible to different tools and apps, including proprietary tools developed by single clients or mines, enhancing interoperability and portability.’
About the company
Founded in 1986, Comacchio S.p.A. is a family-owned Italian company specializing in the design and manufacturing of high-performance drilling rigs that serve a wide range of markets, including geotechnics, foundations, water well drilling, geothermal, and mineral exploration.
Headquartered in Riese Pio X (TV), Italy, the company operates from modern facilities covering over 20 000 square meters, where engineering and production activities are fully integrated. With a team of around 280 employees, Comacchio delivers reliable and customizable drilling solutions supported by an extensive global sales and after-sales network. Its rigs operate in over 100 countries worldwide and the company is recognized for its engineering excellence, productivity-driven design, strong safety standards, and long-term customer support.
For more information: Visit comacchio.com/en
