Our Story
The Early Years
In the first twenty years of its history, Major Drilling pursued a strategy of expanding geographically as a conventional drilling company. We acquired several mineral exploration drilling companies in Eastern Canada between 1980 and 1985. Our strategy in these acquisitions was to buy equipment at a reasonable price, strengthen the Company by adding talented and experienced personnel and increase the geographic reach and client diversity of the business.
Company Founded
Formed with the acquisition of Ideal Drilling (1980) Ltd., based in Bathurst, New Brunswick.
Hosking Diamond Drilling & New Affiliates
Acquired Hosking Diamond Drilling Ltd., located in Rouyn, Québec. In the same year Kennebec Drilling Ltd. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Maine Diamond Drilling, Inc., became affiliates of the Company.
International Expansion
In the early 90s, we expanded into Mexico and South America. Moving into these markets required us to reconsider our expansion through acquisition strategy because there were few local drilling companies that met our standards. Instead of purchasing local drilling companies as we had done in the United States and Canada, we incorporated foreign subsidiaries and grew them organically.
Expanding Operations & Acquisitions
Beginning in 1997, our focus turned to expanding our Canadian operations beyond Eastern Canada and also looked to Australia, with its strong tradition in the mining sector. Acquired the J.T. Thomas group of companies, which operated primarily in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. Acquired the Australian-based mineral exploration drilling company Pontil Pty. Limited. This company, through a subsidiary, also carried on business in Indonesia. Lastly, entered the manufacturing and distribution business after acquiring control of UDR Group Limited.
Drilling In Chile & Acquiring Midwest
Commenced drilling operations in Chile and completed the acquisition of the Midwest group of companies in Canada.
Moving Into The 21st Century
In 2000, we shifted our focus from geographical expansion to a strategy of dominating specialized drilling. The shift in strategy was based on the realization that most of the ore bodies that will be discovered and explored in the coming years will be difficult to access. We then began a substantial build up of our specialized capabilities and our specialized fleet, complimented with strategic acquisitions of specialized drilling firms.
Acquired Ausdrill Limited’s Eastern Australian Drilling Division
Acquired, from Ausdrill Limited, certain drilling assets and contracts located in Eastern Australia and New Zealand.
Acquired Raematt Drilling
Acquired the drill rigs, related equipment, inventory and drilling contracts of Raematt Drilling Pty. Ltd. in Australia.
Acquired Dynatec Corporation’s Western US Drilling Division
Acquired the drill rigs, related equipment, inventory and drilling contracts of Dynatec Corporation Drilling Service, in the Western United States. This acquisition has allowed the Company to establish a presence in a large and important North American mining region.
Acquired Longstaff In Southern Africa
Expanded its presence in Southern Africa by acquiring the Longstaff group in Southern Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
Added To The S&P/TSX Composite Index, Expanded Chile & Ecuador Ops
Standard & Poor’s Canadian Index Operation added Major Drilling to the S&P/TSX Composite Index. Company’s Chilean subsidiary purchased an exploration drilling company, Harris y Cia Ltda., and acquired the assets of Paragon del Ecuador S.A.
Acquired Forage À Diamant Benoit Ltée
Acquired Forage à Diamant Benoit Ltée based in Val d’Or, Québec.
Acquired North Star Drilling LLC & Began Environmental Drilling Services
Acquired North Star Drilling LLC. and also entered the environmental drilling services sector by acquiring SMD services of Huntsville, Alabama.
Acquired Assets Of Taurus Drilling
Acquired the assets of Taurus Drilling located in Canada and the USA, representing the company’s entry into the underground percussive market.
