Giving back to the community is a priority at Major Drilling. The team members at each of the 20 Major Drilling branches around the globe continue to find ways to help. From local fundraising to college bursaries to suicide prevention, contributing to the long-term success of the areas where Major Drilling operates is both important and rewarding.
Here are some of the many ways Major Drilling gave back in 2022:
The Philippines
Members of the Philippines drilling team laced up their shoes and joined with Unihealth Southwoods for a 5K race. Fun Run for a Cause 2022 raised funds to benefit kidney dialysis patients in need of financial support.
Mongolia
In 2022, the first group of women had the opportunity to drill and lead crews after rising through the challenges of starting as drill assistants and working their way up the drilling ranks.
Major Drilling made strides in training, job creation and diversity initiatives that successfully support local employment in the province. As a contractor in Mongolia providing specialized drilling services at the Oyu Tolgoi copper project for more than two decades, Major Drilling conscientiously provides skills for employees who are trained to build their local communities.
Another initiative to help strengthen the community is a sewing and embroidering project supporting local survivors of domestic violence. In partnership with Mongolia’s National Center Against Violence, Major Drilling staff commissioned customized hoodies and proudly wore the results. The partnership helps empower survivors with job skills on their way to a brighter future.
Indonesia
In support of partner Freeport Indonesia, Major Drilling Indonesia contributed educational supplies including playground-sized game mats, clothing and footwear to students at Tomawin Institute, a dormitory built by Freeport where students from seven highlands tribal groups are educated and learn life skills.
At the Institute, located in West Papua, children receive a coaching program, so they have skills in the arts, culture and sports and have the independence needed to improve their daily lives. Major Drilling is honored to provide community support around the project site.
In another area, PT Major Drilling Indonesia invested in the community with donations to a local boarding school for rural children. Working with Yayasan Tangan Pengharapan, Major Drilling provided the Tobelo Boarding School and Dormitory in North Halmahera with much needed facility enhancements and supplies.
Sunny skies and clear roads were a welcome sight as the spring monsoon season ended in Indonesia. The Major Drilling team in the Sumbawa region worked together with the community to clear landslide debris that deeply impacted dozens of local communities.
Access was restored and road hazards were reduced after pulling together resources for much-needed equipment.
“We are proud to be helping our local friends in the community anywhere and at any time we see the need,” Major Drilling Indonesia Operations Manager Jonathan Emmerzael, said.
Canada
Major Drilling supported bursary recipients at Cambrian College and Collège Boréal in Sudbury, Ontario. Students in heavy equipment technician programs learn skills to advance their future careers in mining and drilling at surface maintenance facilities and underground projects. The bursaries help them on their path toward a career in the mining industry.
During 2022, Major Drilling answered the call from the community to assist Ukrainians in need of humanitarian support. Staff and corporate donations were delivered to Canada-Ukraine Foundation and Ukraine SENB partnership with The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton, Brainworks, and United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick.
Major Drilling’s generous employees joined together with these organization to bring relief to families fleeing the war in Ukraine. Through this aid, those in need are receiving medical care, emergency shelter and food security.
When longtime #MajorDrillingCares recipient Carrefour pour femmes / Crossroads for Women lost a women’s shelter to a fire in 2021, Major Drilling joined the community in finding a way forward.
Marc Landry, VP Technology & Logistics, kicked off and presided over the CHARGE! campaign to raise funds to rebuild the Blossom House shelter in Moncton, New Brunswick.
“Giving women in the community hope and safety at an affordable home is what Blossom House does for the most vulnerable dealing with mental health, addiction and domestic violence,” he said. “We need this resource back, so I’m really proud that Major Drilling could be among the donors each contributing $25,000 toward rebuilding.”
At the Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, branch, the team made the day sweeter with a Tim Horton’s smile cookie. The national cookie fundraising campaign gives individuals and companies an opportunity to support local charities and community groups through their purchase.
Out on the links in Sudbury, Ontario, Major Drilling supported KPI Industrial Controls Inc. at its third annual Charity Golf Classic. The Sudbury branch sponsored a hole at the tournament which raised funds supporting the local YMCA.
Australia
Teams at the McKay Drilling Wangara Workshop participated in a sensory and educational First Nation experience to build relationships and deepen understanding. Australia celebrates National NAIDOC week each July to recognize and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Also in July, McKay Drilling commemorated their second annual “Dooga Day” in honor of a very special member of its team, Joshua “Dooga” Jones who was lost to suicide on July 31, 2020.
Drilling teams were able to take one minute at the beginning of shifts to commemorate Dooga Day. They showed their solidarity by wearing black armbands in memory of colleagues and loved ones lost to suicide. Crews at various drilling sites took time to build fires, order pizza and barbecue together on the special day.
A team fundraising campaign to benefit mental health-focused charities achieved its goal to raise $15,000 (AUD). The branch donated $15 for every hazard report $5 for every diamond meter safely drilled and $1 for every RC meter safety drilled on Dooga Day.
“We want do this because we see the immediate impact on improving the safety of our teammates,” Aaron Earl, McKay Drilling General Manager, said. “Taking time during our workday for this remembrance makes it more acceptable for people to voice what they are going through and normalize that mental health is a shared priority.”
Deepest appreciation goes to Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group for supporting McKay Drilling teams as they gathered together on Dooga Day.
Brazil
The Major Drilling Brazil team focused on the importance of breast cancer awareness and prevention. They proudly completed a workplace campaign during “Outubro Rosa” or “Pink October.”
The campaign was another expression of how branch members show the need to care for the health, well-being and safety of employees and their families.
At a local daycare center serving 600 children, the Major Drilling Brazil team donated supplies purchased with proceeds from recycled paper waste and used oil products. The Brazil branch is keen to find ways to improve lives and show environmental responsibility.
USA
Major Drilling America staff presented a check to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. The proceeds were from a golf tournament hosted by Major Drilling America in August. Vendor and suppliers joined the good cause which supports the hospital in its mission to provide quality healthcare for children.
For employees, a culture of a social responsibility permeates each branch. It’s an attitude of that supports company goals to create mutual and lasting benefits for the community.
See ways Major Drilling cares in past years:
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