Miner and drilling contractor relationships are stronger when everyone can see the same numbers

Blackfox is cloud-based drilling management software built by Acquire Technology Solutions for mining companies and drilling contractors. It centralises operational drilling data, from field records and shift logs to contractor invoices and geological outputs, giving teams a single, accurate view of project performance in real time.

Drilling contracts are built on trust. But trust is hard to maintain when the numbers look different depending on which side of the relationship you’re on.

It’s a more common problem than most mining companies would like to admit. A contractor submits an invoice. The mining company’s records tell a different story. The gap is often the result of manual processes, disconnected systems, and data that never quite aligns. Teams end up spending valuable time resolving discrepancies instead of focusing on project delivery, creating unnecessary friction in what should be a collaborative relationship.

Blackfox includes a contractor portal for every customer at no additional cost, giving drilling contractors direct access to the same operational data the mining company is working from, enabling timely and informed decisions.

Contractors can also monitor report and invoice statuses throughout the approval process, collaborate directly with mining companies, and maintain a complete audit trail of comments and changes directly against reported activities.

Why reconciliation becomes a challenge

Drilling operations generate a significant volume of contractual data, from metreage and shift records to consumables, standby time, and variations. When that data is managed separately by each stakeholder, reconciliation becomes an ongoing task. Both sides are working from their own records, and aligning those records retroactively consumes time and resources that would be better spent elsewhere.

For a drill services manager overseeing multiple contracts across several sites, this creates a real operational burden. The challenge is rarely whether invoices can be resolved but how much time and resources are required to get to that resolution.

Drilling contractors experience similar pressure. Delayed approvals affect cash flow and make planning more challenging. When visibility into the underlying data is limited, it becomes harder for both parties to focus on project delivery and performance. Shared access to trusted information helps keep discussions productive and collaborative.

Building stronger partnerships through shared visibility

The shift that changes this dynamic is simple: both parties working from the same data, as it happens.

When contractors can access the same field records, shift logs and metreage data as a mining company, everyone is working from the same verified information. Changes are managed through controlled workflows, helping maintain a single source of truth. Invoices reflect what was actually recorded and variations are traceable. The approval process moves faster when everyone works from the same information.

When both parties have confidence in the data, conversations can focus on project performance, programme delivery, and outcomes.

Designed for collaboration

Effective contract management depends on both parties seeing the same information, which is why contractor access comes standard with Blackfox.

Every customer gets access to the contractor portal and the Blackfox field app at no extra cost, with no per-user fees or additional subscriptions. Drill crews can create and submit shift reports directly from the field, even offline, and the app supports multiple languages to suit diverse teams.

Blackfox uses a transparent pricing model that avoids charging based on metres drilled, so costs stay predictable as programmes scale, and multicurrency support means the same approach works across global operations without manual conversion or separate regional reporting.

Stronger partnerships equal better data

When contractors trust the platform, they engage with it more fully, and that shows up in the numbers: reporting becomes timelier, and the information flowing into the mining company’s systems is more complete and reliable.

That improvement pays off well beyond the records themselves. Better field data means more confident operational decisions, while cleaner contractual data makes planning, reporting and performance management easier across the whole drilling programme.

Less guesswork. More guidance. That’s what happens when mining companies and drilling contractors work from the same trusted source.

See how Blackfox supports transparent contractor management.

Frequently asked questions

What is Blackfox?

Blackfox is cloud-based drilling management software developed by Acquire. It is designed for mining companies and drilling contractors to centralise operational drilling data, manage contractor relationships, and improve project performance through real-time dashboards and analytics.

Does Blackfox include a contractor portal?

Yes. Blackfox includes a contractor portal for all customers at no additional cost. Drilling contractors can access the same operational data, including field records, shift logs, metreage, and invoice status that the mining company sees. This helps reduce reconciliation effort and improves transparency across the contract.

How does Blackfox reduce invoice disputes between mining companies and drilling contractors?

By giving both parties access to the same up-to-date data, Blackfox means invoices are based on the same underlying records that both sides can review and verify. Shared visibility helps minimise discrepancies, improve trust and accelerate approvals.

Does Blackfox charge per metre or foot drilled?

No. Blackfox uses a transparent pricing model and does not charge based on metres or feet drilled. This gives organisations greater cost predictability and avoids costs increasing in line with drilling activity.

Does Blackfox support multiple currencies?

Yes. Blackfox includes multicurrency support, making it suitable for mining companies and drilling contractors operating across multiple countries and jurisdictions without requiring manual currency conversion or separate regional reporting processes.