Abstract: A retaining arrangement suitable for use with a drill string assembly having a sub adaptor and a drill spindle in use connected together, the retaining arrangement including: one or more retaining bodies, the or each retaining body comprising a connection region for removably connecting the or each retaining body to one of the sub adaptor and the drill spindle; and a first retaining or catch region adapted to catch the other of the sub adaptor and drill spindle.

Abstract: A drill and a separator apparatus and a method of prolonging bearing life are described, the separator apparatus being suitable for separating an air/water mixture into discrete air and water streams during drilling of a blast hole. The separator apparatus includes a separator body which is adapted to be installed at a distal or lower region of a drill string and when installed at the distal or lower region forms one or more separation chambers or reservoirs, each separation chamber or reservoir comprising an inlet adapted to receive the air/water mixture, a first outlet in fluid communication with a drill bit for releasing air thereto and a second outlet in fluid communication with a wall of the blast hole and disposed in the distal or lower region of the drill string to release water separated from the air/water mixture in a region adjacent the drill bit.

Abstract: A drill and a separator apparatus and a method of prolonging bearing life are described, the separator apparatus being suitable for separating an air/water mixture into discrete air and water streams during drilling of a blast hole. The separator apparatus includes a separator body which is adapted to be installed at a distal or lower region of a drill string and when installed at the distal or lower region forms one or more separation chambers or reservoirs, each separation chamber or reservoir comprising an inlet adapted to receive the air/water mixture, a first outlet in fluid communication with a drill bit for releasing air thereto and a second outlet in fluid communication with a wall of the blast hole and disposed in the distal or lower region of the drill string to release water separated from the air/water mixture in a region adjacent the drill bit.

Abstract: A retaining arrangement suitable for use with a drill string assembly having a sub adaptor and a drill spindle in use connected together, the retaining arrangement including: one or more retaining bodies, the or each retaining body comprising a connection region for removably connecting the or each retaining body to one of the sub adaptor and the drill spindle; and a first retaining or catch region adapted to catch the other of the sub adaptor and drill spindle.