Company Overview

Major Drilling Group International Inc. is a Canada-based mineral drilling services company operating within the mining services and natural resources industries. The company provides specialized drilling services primarily to the mining and mineral exploration sector, supporting clients across the full mining lifecycle from early-stage exploration through mine development and production. Its core offering is contract drilling, which represents the overwhelming majority of revenue.

The company is known for its technical expertise in hard rock drilling, deep drilling, and drilling in remote and challenging environments, including high-altitude and Arctic conditions. Founded in 1980, Major Drilling has grown from a regional Canadian contractor into one of the world’s largest mineral drilling service providers through organic expansion and a series of strategic acquisitions that broadened its geographic reach, service depth, and technical capabilities.

Business Operations

Major Drilling operates a single primary business model focused on mineral drilling services, delivered through regionally managed operating units rather than distinct reportable business segments. Revenue is generated through long-term and short-term drilling contracts with junior exploration companies, mid-tier miners, and major global mining corporations, with activity levels closely tied to commodity prices and exploration budgets.

The company owns and operates a large fleet of specialized drilling rigs and support equipment, including surface diamond drills, underground drills, directional drilling systems, and reverse circulation rigs. Operations span both domestic and international markets, with subsidiaries providing localized management, workforce, and logistics. Major Drilling also maintains in-house training programs and safety systems, which are considered integral to maintaining operational efficiency and client retention.

Strategic Position & Investments

Major Drilling’s strategy centers on maintaining global scale while emphasizing technical differentiation, safety performance, and cost discipline. Growth initiatives have historically included targeted acquisitions of regional drilling contractors to enter new markets or add specialized capabilities, as well as disciplined capital investment in modern drilling equipment to improve productivity and depth capacity.

Notable past acquisitions have included Dando Drilling International, Bradley Brothers, and McKay Drilling, which expanded the company’s footprint in Australia, Africa, and North America. The company is also increasingly exposed to exploration related to critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, and other battery-related commodities, reflecting shifting global demand trends and mining investment priorities.

Geographic Footprint

Major Drilling is headquartered in Canada and maintains a significant operational presence across North America, South America, Australia, Africa, and parts of Europe. The company operates in over 20 countries, with particularly strong market positions in Canada, the United States, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Australia, and South Africa.

Its global model allows capital and personnel to be redeployed across regions in response to changing commodity cycles and customer demand. International operations account for a substantial majority of revenue, reflecting the company’s strategic focus on diversified geographic exposure and reduced reliance on any single mining jurisdiction.

Leadership & Governance

Major Drilling is led by a management team with extensive experience in mining services and international operations, emphasizing operational discipline, safety culture, and long-term shareholder value creation. The company has remained closely associated with its founding leadership, contributing to continuity in strategic vision and corporate culture.

Key executives include:

• Denis Larocque – President & Chief Executive Officer
• Kent Granger – Chief Financial Officer
• Patrick Roy – Senior Vice President, North American Operations
• Claude Paulin – Senior Vice President, International Operations
• Michel Bérubé – Vice President, Corporate Development

The leadership team’s philosophy emphasizes conservative financial management, strong safety performance, and maintaining flexibility to navigate cyclical mining markets while positioning the company for long-term growth.