by James Patterson, Co-Founder and Abbey Michelau, Business Development Coordinator at TactEx Industries
TactEx’s X-10 diamond drill and its multi-terrain platforms stand out in the market due to their superior craftsmanship. At TactEx Industries, the assembly team includes technicians, designers, Red Seal mechanics, fabricators, and drillers who collaborate to manufacture all components in-house. Every aspect of TactEx’s drills and platforms, from design and material processing to machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, and shipping, is managed entirely in-house. Without the need to subcontract processes, TactEx can focus on quality parts and attention to detail. The TactEx team also has extensive industry experience, covering everything from fabrication to the execution of mineral exploration projects. The fabrication division consists of highly skilled craftsman welders, who are ticketed and trained on advanced equipment with Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) certifications. This level of quality control allows TactEx to meet clients’ unique timelines and develop not only a powerful and compact diamond drill but an entire modular system that enables clients to take on any drilling project.
TactEx’s X-10 diamond drill is quite different from any other on the market. It is specifically designed to seamlessly integrate from one multi-terrain platform to the next in under two hours. TactEx Industries has currently developed three platforms specifically designed to incorporate the X-10, meaning that clients can remove the X-10 diamond drill from their winter shack drilling project and utilize it for their heli-portable project in the summer. Clients have the choice between the 72 in (1.83 m) stroke feed frame or the 132 in (3.35 m) long stroke feed frame. The long stroke was introduced for customers drilling deeper and requiring a longer mast dump for track, shack, or truck mounting. This adaptability applies to the TactEx power pack as well. This unit is outfitted with an air-cooled hydraulics system, synchronized head and foot clamp, and advanced safety features. This versatility is further enhanced by the ability to use the same power pack across the SX-10, TX-10, and FX-10.
TactEx has developed a system within diamond drill manufacturing that prioritizes modularity over modification. While other drill manufacturers offer multiple drill models to suit different project needs, TactEx provides one drill and three platforms. While the X-10 drill remains constant to maintain reliability in mineral exploration, the TactEx team continuously advances and evolves its multi-terrain platforms to support the X-10 diamond drill. As mineral exploration projects change, the platforms adapt to meet new challenges, providing long-term value and versatility. Every surface drill is produced with the same base, creating efficiency in all areas of drilling. Every piece of this system has a part number and aligns with the overall X-10 proprietary system. If a client requires a part, they can easily identify it, and TactEx will always have it in stock due to its applicability to every drill the company manufactures. Additionally, with all hydraulic hoses having dedicated part numbers, customers can quickly have these replaced locally, eliminating downtime on drill sites. This structure aids efficient field support, safety, and overall eliminates unnecessary downtime. Furthermore, expanding a fleet is straightforward, as all drilling components are consistent, with no one-off drills. Although TactEx is committed to maintaining the design and functions of the X-10, customization, and creativity are expressed through the three multi-terrain platforms. The TactEx team aims to constantly improve, which includes evolving the platforms to best suit clients’ needs.
The SX-10 platform
The SX-10 is specifically designed to complement the X-10 drill. Built with input from industry experts as well as extensive experience from TactEx’s sister company, Macon Industries, which has built hundreds of diamond drilling enclosures, TactEx utilized the foundational design to create the ultimate heavy-duty drill shack full of must-have features. The leveling cylinders with teeth provide stability. If minor adjustments are required, the dozer teeth keep the blade where it belongs. The hydraulic helper’s slide-out allows for a slim shack width while still providing enough room for the drill helper. This feature includes a core box table, tool racks, and a reinforced ring to help empty the core tube for additional safety and efficiency. The SX-10 also includes rod handling capabilities that can hold 1600 m (5249 ft) of stacked N-size within the shack, LED lighting for efficient round-the-clock operations, modern safety features such as fire extinguishers and emergency stop switches, and an integrated guard system that ensures compliance on any exploration site. TactEx has also implemented easy roof access with proper railings. The TactEx SX-10 is built for the X-10 so that when switching to a track drilling program or a heli-drilling operation, clients can easily integrate the same drill using the same proprietary system for a variety of drilling contracts.
The TX-10 platform
The TX-10 Platform highlights TactEx’s dedication to delivering versatile and efficient solutions. This track platform allows the drill to be self-propelled to the exploration target, utilizing the drill’s engine and hydraulics, reducing the need for skidding, or flying the drill into position, and with minimal support equipment needed. TactEx’s TX-10 track platform is fully equipped with features designed to enhance any drilling project, including integrated drill mounts and a drip tray that mitigates spills in environmentally sensitive areas and reduces the overall height of the drill on the platform. A removable undercarriage keeps spare parts interchangeable between equipment. A remote control operates the hydraulic system hands-free, eliminating the extra size, weight, and cost of a ROPS system. The TX-10 also includes leveling cylinders, making any terrain easy to work on. Additional features such as extra valving and fuel tank are specific to this platform and stay with it, minimizing the need to transport multiple pieces of equipment to the drilling site. When the client’s track program is completed, they can remove the X-10 from the swing bolts on the TX-10 platform and utilize the base for their heli project if required.
The FX-10 platform
TactEx Industries offers a heli-portable aluminum shack option in its FX-10 platform. The FX-10 is designed for quick moves, featuring certified lifting points and field-inspired aligning components. Similar to its sister platforms, the X-10 integrates into the FX-10 platform with ease, allowing clients to have the components they need for any drilling project, no matter the terrain. The heli-portable aluminum shack has access doors to service vital components, as well as an option for rod handling systems. The FX-10 modular base frame is designed for easy integration of the rod handling system, making deep holes on heli-portable jobs safer.
As Canada’s most innovative diamond drill manufacturer, TactEx delivers the most powerful and precise products to enhance any project. The team combines decades of field and design experience to create a customizable drill that integrates into three multi-terrain platforms. Whether clients are looking for a new rig or specific parts, TactEx’s one-stop shop helps them find the perfect fit, with some of the best service in the industry. All parts and equipment are built in-house, interchangeable, and offer advanced safety features. TactEx’s continuous advancement and evolution of its multi-terrain platforms ensure that as mineral exploration projects evolve, the supporting infrastructure can adapt accordingly, providing long-term value and flexibility. This approach, which prioritizes modularity over modification, ensures that the X-10 drill remains a reliable constant, even as the demands of mineral exploration change.
