Drilling information management in 2026: turning data into operational insight

Mining has never had a shortage of drilling data. Sensor-enabled rigs are generating more data than ever, automated sample handling is accelerating turnaround times and geological results are arriving faster.

What hasn’t kept pace in many operations is the system that connects all of it.

The gap between data that exists and data that can be trusted, connected, and used effectively has become one of the mining industry’s biggest challenges. As a result, more mining companies are investing in solutions that can help close the gap.

So how do you turn all that data into something you can use? In this article, we answer the questions we hear most from mining companies and drilling contractors: what drilling information management really means, why more companies are investing in it now, what a modern solution should do and what sets Blackfox apart.

What is drilling information management?

Drilling information management is the practice of capturing, centralising, and analysing operational data across a miners drilling program, including rig performance metrics, drilling progress, contractor activity, project costs and invoice reconciliation. Drilling information management software brings this data together into a single, accessible location for mining companies and their drilling contractors.

It enables drilling teams to monitor their project performance continuously, identify data quality issues early, and make informed operational decisions based on current information rather than consolidated reports.

Why are mining companies investing in drilling information management now?

When drilling performance data, geological results, contractor actuals, and project financials are siloed across different systems, teams spend time reconciling information rather than acting on it.

For teams managing multiple active drilling programs across multiple sites, this means slower decisions, data quality risks, and invoice disputes that should be straightforward to resolve.

More mining companies are treating connected drilling data as a priority – it’s the difference between reacting to problems and staying ahead of them.

What does modern drilling information management software do?

Modern drilling information management software brings together the operational data needed to manage drilling programs without the guesswork. It gives mining companies and drilling contractors a single view of project performance, so everyone works from the same numbers instead of chasing updates across spreadsheets and emails.

If you’re evaluating options, look for these core capabilities:

• Live dashboards for drilling activity, metres drilled and operational performance.
• Connectivity between drilling and geological data systems.
• Shared contractor workspaces that improve collaboration and reduce going back and forth on reporting.
• Contract and invoice management with transparent reconciliation of actuals against agreed rates.
• Cloud-based access to project data from site, office or remote operations centres.

What sets Blackfox apart?

Blackfox is purpose-built software to support the relationship between mining companies and drilling contractors. Key differentiators include:

• Blackfox includes contractor access as standard, making it easier for mining companies and drilling contractors to work from the same information.
• Pricing is straightforward, with no user licensing or cost-per-metre billing that can create misalignment between contractor reporting and client invoicing.
• Teams can get up and running quickly, with live project data typically available within days rather than months.
• Built for global operations, Blackfox supports multiple currencies and languages.
• Blackfox connects directly with Acquire’s geological data management solution, GIM Suite, helping teams maintain a seamless flow of information across drilling and geological workflows.
• ISO 27001-certified security and a single-tenancy architecture keeps each customer’s data secure, isolated and never shared with other users.

Moving from reactive to connected drilling operations

Drilling operations are shifting from reactive and siloed to connected and data-driven. Sensor-enabled rigs, automated core processing and geological insight can now feed into a single picture of a drilling program, while drilling is still underway rather than after the fact.

Blackfox brings drilling performance, contractor activity, and project financials together in a single operational view. Shared by mining companies and drilling contractors, it means less time double-checking numbers and more time making confident, well-informed decisions.

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 live dashboards and analytics.

What is drilling information management software used for?

Drilling information management software centralises data from drilling operations, including rig performance, contract details, contractor activity and invoicing into a single source. It enables drilling teams to monitor project performance, improve data quality and make faster decisions using accurate, up-to-date information.

How quickly can Blackfox be deployed?

Blackfox is designed for rapid deployment and can typically be operational on live project data within days.