Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Expert Groundwater & Exploration Drilling Services
Slade Drilling has been a cornerstone of the drilling industry for over six decades, established in 1959 by William Edwin Slade. Our legacy is built on innovation, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in groundwater and exploration drilling. As a third-generation family-owned business, we bring over 120 years of combined industry expertise to every project, serving private, agricultural, government, civil, and mining sectors. Our commitment to sustainable practices and cutting-edge methodologies ensures clients receive cost-effective, reliable solutions tailored to their unique needs. With operations across NSW and QLD, we specialise in domestic, commercial, and industrial water supply drilling, dewatering, environmental monitoring, and large-diameter services for mining applications.Our team of licensed professionals utilises purpose-built equipment and in-house developed techniques to tackle challenging formations, delivering results that exceed expectations. From humble beginnings with a T-model Ford rig to becoming a trusted partner in resource exploration, we remain dedicated to unearthing potential and securing sustainable resources for future generations. Our reputation for honesty, open communication, and client-centric service has fostered long-standing relationships with industry leaders such as SEQ Water and Sibelco. As we look to the future, the third generation of Slade drillers continues to build on our heritage of technical excellence and operational integrity.
Services
Groundwater Drilling
Exploration Drilling
Water Supply Bore
Dewatering Services
Large Diameter Drilling
Environmental Monitoring
Mine Service Drilling
Details
- Year established: 1959
Highlights and features
- Third-generation family-owned business with 60+ years of drilling expertise
- Licensed drillers operating across NSW and QLD with 120+ combined industry years
- Specialists in challenging large-diameter drilling up to 200m depths
- Developed proprietary techniques for unstable formation drilling
- Proven track record with major clients like SEQ Water and Sibelco
Services
Groundwater Drilling
Specialist drilling services for sustainable water supply bores serving residential, agricultural, and commercial sectors. Utilising advanced techniques to ensure reliable water access in diverse geological conditions. Our expertise delivers long-lasting solutions for domestic use, livestock, irrigation, and town water infrastructure projects.
Exploration Drilling
Comprehensive drilling solutions for mineral and coal exploration projects. Offering diamond coring, reverse circulation, and air-core methods to depths of 1500m. Our services support resource assessment and feasibility studies for mining operations across NSW and QLD with precision data collection.
Large Diameter Drilling
Specialised drilling for large-diameter applications up to 6 inches in unstable formations. Services include coal-bed methane drainage, paste fill holes, and environmental control bores. Our proprietary Dual Tube Flooded Reverse Circulation technique ensures stability in challenging underground conditions for mining operations.
Dewatering Services
High-volume dewatering solutions for construction and mining projects. Providing deep well dewatering systems and groundwater monitoring bores. Our services maintain site stability and environmental compliance through tailored water management strategies for both temporary and permanent installations.
Environmental Monitoring
Specialist drilling for environmental control and monitoring systems. Delivering piezometers and observation wells to track groundwater levels and quality. Our services support environmental compliance and remediation projects with accurate data collection systems for mining and civil infrastructure developments.
People
Phillip Slade
Managing Director
Third-generation driller with over 40 years' leadership experience since 1983. Trained as maintenance fitter/machinist/welder in coal mines. Specialises in large-diameter water drilling and complex geological conditions. Instrumental in developing proprietary drilling techniques for unstable formations used in major projects across Australia.
Questions
What drilling services does Slade offer?
We provide groundwater drilling, exploration drilling, large-diameter services, dewatering systems, and environmental monitoring bores for residential, agricultural, commercial, and mining sectors.
Which regions do you service?
Our primary service areas include NSW and QLD, with operational bases in Bogangar and North Lismore, supporting projects across regional and metropolitan locations.
What makes Slade different from other drillers?
As third-generation drillers with 60+ years' combined experience, we combine family heritage with technical innovation, including proprietary drilling techniques for challenging geological conditions.
Are you licensed for drilling operations?
Yes, we are licensed drillers in both NSW and QLD, maintaining strict compliance with regulatory standards for all our drilling activities.
What drilling depths can you achieve?
Our capabilities include drilling up to 1500m depth for exploration projects and 200m for large-diameter air-core applications, adapting techniques to suit geological challenges.
What industries do you work with?
We service private homeowners, agricultural operations, government infrastructure projects, and mining companies requiring specialist drilling solutions across multiple sectors.
Reviews (1)
Peter Waters
Jun 30, 2019
Report
Drilling a bore is a process of uncertainty - about whether the water is, how deep to go, when to stop drilling etc. Phil and Luke were frank about these uncertainties, keep us informed about progress and were realistic in their assessments of the benefits and costs of going deeper or stopping. Not a cheap exercise but they were fair in addressing the (inevitable) added costs as the drilling unfolded.