What began as a modest drilling operation in Ballarat Victoria has evolved into a powerhouse of innovation in the global mining industry. Over the past 25 years, Titeline Drilling has transformed from a regional contractor into a trailblazer in autonomous underground drilling, driven by a deep well of expertise and a bold vision for the future.
Founded in 2001 by seasoned industry professionals — Bill Ricciardi, Michael Ashton, Stephen Gavin and David D’Astoli — Titeline quickly made its mark by contributing to major mineral discoveries such as Prominent Hill, Carrapateena and Hillside. Today, the company continues to support exploration efforts in key regions like Olympic Dam and the Tanami Desert, applying its mastery in both surface and underground diamond drilling.
Titeline’s ambitions extend far beyond traditional drilling. In a strategic move to harness its in-house knowledge, the company joined forces with Exploration Drill Masters and Newland Drilling & Mining Equipment to form Ultonotec — a venture dedicated to revolutionising underground drilling technology.
At the heart of this collaboration is the ULT-R68, a next-generation autonomous core drilling rig. This state-of-the-art machine is more than just a piece of equipment — it’s a leap forward in safety, efficiency and data-driven operations. Powered by robotics, automation and IoT, the ULT-R68 is designed to operate intelligently in challenging underground environments, reducing human risk while maximising productivity.
“The ULT-R Series is redefining what’s possible in underground drilling,” says Matt Zanette, CEO of Titeline Group.
“Our goal is to build a fully connected ecosystem where real-time analytics, machine learning and predictive maintenance converge to create smarter, safer and more efficient drilling operations.”
Recently, Titeline has seen significant market growth in Victoria and NSW and now supports numerous operations throughout the region with its comprehensive range of drilling and underground services.
With a proven track record in Australia and successful ventures in Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Chile and Mongolia, Titeline is poised to expand its global footprint. Its commitment to innovation, backed by decades of hands-on experience, positions the company as a leader in shaping the future of mineral exploration.
Supported by a team of about 300 employees, Titeline has established itself as a leader in the drilling industry through its commitment to fleet uniformity and maintenance excellence. This success is rooted in long-standing partnerships with suppliers and its own partner manufacturing company, Exploration Drill Masters (EDM). Together, they’ve refined and evolved drill rig designs, incorporating safety and productivity enhancements across both new models and retrofitted machines, including UDRs and KWLs.
The company’s underground division features custom-built, track-mounted LM110s and MKII rigs, which integrate industrial robotics for fully autonomous rod handling. On the surface, Titeline operates a fleet of modern UDR top drive rigs capable of reaching depths of up to 3000 metres NQ.
In 2013, Titeline identified a gap in the market: existing solutions for manual rod handling were costly, slow to deploy and inefficient. In response, the company collaborated with EDM in Chile to develop a hydraulic rod feeder that could be easily retrofitted. This system, equipped with a hydraulic plug spinner, eliminates the need for manual lifting and ensures secure rod connections with minimal effort. More than 60 units have been deployed globally, significantly reducing strain-related injuries and earning strong operator approval.
Building on this success, Titeline partnered with a robotics and automation firm. The company designed and tested a robotic system capable of automated rod handling — with or without personnel present — and semi-automated tube handling. This innovation has enabled Titeline Underground to complete more than 1000 single-operator shifts, creating new opportunities for workers who may not typically engage in physically demanding underground roles.
