In the current surface mining operation, drilling is considered to be one of the most important factors that affects operating cost and production, besides loading and transportation. The drilling efficiency is highly dependent upon penetration rate and penetration capability of the drill bit to the rock that are being mined. The objectives of this paper are to explore the potential of improving drilling efficiency and reducing drilling time and operating cost of surface mining operation. Two cases, large foreign metal mine and domestic quarry operations, are to be adopted in this paper to demonstrate the influence of drilling rate of the bit to the overall mining efficiency.