Abstract: A method of drilling shot firing holes in the face of a roadway or tunnel by means of a bucket loader on which is displaceably mounted a drilling mast which carries a slidable drill head, with power unit to displace the drill head with respect to the mast connected between the drill head and mast, comprises the steps of:Advancing the mast from a non-active, rearward position towards an active, forward position, by fixing the drill head with respect to the loader and activating the power unit;Fixing the position of the mast with respect to the loader and releasing the drill head and again activating the power unit to advance the drill head with respect to the mast, after drilling as required; andRetracting th drill head by activating the power unit, either as a preparatory step for subsequent advance to drill further holes or alternatively for purposes of retracting the mast, after fixing the drill head in its retracted position with respect to the loader and releasing the mast and again activating the power u