For Major Drilling, moving forward and giving back continued in 2021 as the mining industry accelerated into a new upswing. The company’s branches across the globe enacted a variety of social responsibility initiatives from fighting wildfires in Brazil to repairing homes in the Philippines.
“In characteristic fashion, we saw our teams continue to care for their communities and find new ways to help others throughout the year,” Denis Larocque, Major Drilling President and CEO, said. “As a company, we’re committed to long-term sustainability, and social responsibility is an essential part of that commitment.”
With a workforce over 3,500 strong, Major Drilling branches are located in diverse communities on five continents. The following stories from 2021 show ways Major Drilling cares for the communities, people and environments where it does business.
South America
In Argentina, Major Drilling staff delivered donations to communities where they were working, namely Salta and San Juan. In Salta, 60 children received school furniture and milk. A San Juan school received education supplies and food. These donations help advance the development and wellbeing of the communities.
In Mendoza, donations helped build a bridge using recycled drill rods. Recycled rods were also the focus of a donation project in Brazil where the Belo Horizonte Branch gave used BQ-size drill rods to build a roof for a community shed.
Also in Brazil, Major Drilling teams responded to many outbreaks of forest fires in the Mato Grosso do Sul region during September. Employees contributed their labor and a water tank truck to contain fires with guidance from local fire safety experts.
Staff from the Major Drilling Argentina Branch in Mendoza prepare donations for local school children.
Major Drilling staff present used drill rods to strengthen a community shed building project near Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Brazil teams joined local fire safety experts to fight outbreaks of forest fires in the Pantanal at the Vale Corumbá project where several fires burned in September 2021. Teams also donated water bottles and equipment to support firefighting efforts.
Canada
A deserving organization in Quebec, Préma‐Québec, received support from Major Drilling to improve the quality of life for premature children by offering educational, psychological and financial support to their parents. Ginette Mantha, Founder and Director said, “We will be able to help other families of premature children through Major Drilling. All donations help families stay at the bedside of their premature babies, we always need a partner like Major Drilling to take hope even further!”
A summer blood drive brought out staff from Moncton, NB, helping Canadian Blood Services New Brunswick achieve goals to help reach hospital demand. In Yellowknife, MB, teams proudly presented a donation to the Food First Foundation to to support food and nutrition education programs in local schools.
In November, employees from the Manitoba, Canada, branch grew mustaches to benefit three great causes in their community.
Staff in Moncton, NB, donate to Canadian Blood Services New Brunswick.
In June, staff from Moncton, NB headquarters returned to the community for a “Day of Love.” They built garden boxes, cooked, painted and more in support of youth support center, Youth Jeunesse, and domestic violence shelter and support center Crossroads for Women (Carrefour pour Femmes).
Headquarters staff in Moncton, NB, joined in an annual “Day of Love” to help a domestic violence shelter and youth program thrive.
The pediatric support committee of Abitibi-Temiscamingue (Le Comité de soutien à la pédiatrie de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue) located in western Québec, helps hospitalized children and their families through the difficulties of childhood illness. Of Major Drilling’s donations, Louise Vézina, Committee President, said, “We want to thank you with sincere appreciation for your amazing donation to help the families of ill children.”
Another boon to health care came through Major Drilling’s support of the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation in Ontario. As part of the mining community in the region, Major Drilling proudly donated to support the hospital’s pandemic response services.
In November, Canadian Branches held a Movember-style facial hair-growing competition where participants donned their best moustache during the month to raise funds for three great causes.
Major Drilling’s crews in Ontario display a check in support of the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation.
As 2021 ended, victims of domestic violence, who are supported by Crossroads for Women, received holiday assistance with food and gifts. Finally, a food drive supporting Food Depot Alimentaire in Moncton contributed to the efforts made to feed the hungry during the final weeks of the year.
Australasia
Perth, Australia-based McKay Drilling (acquired in June) made several heartfelt and generous contributions to its community. Employees supported social responsibility efforts that encouraged team safety, suicide prevention and morale through Dooga Day in memory of Josh “Dooga” Jones. McKay teams also raised funds for men’s health and, brain cancer awareness and breast cancer awareness.
Strengthening communities is an important part of being good corporate citizens. At the Indonesia Branch, Operations Manager Jon Emmerzael coordinated with local partners to gather employees who brought hope to families in need. They delivered PPE and COVID-19 supplies and helped a woman in the community with repairs so she can use indoor plumbing and do laundry in her home.
Tsagaan Sar food bags delivered in February 2021, contain supplies to help families through the holiday.
Major Drilling staff, led by Jonathan Emmerzael (center), join resident Rahmawati (in yellow), in her home in Menala Village, West Sumbawa Regency, Indonesia. Company contributions helped improve condition of the home. Photo credit: Lensa NTB
Hope also came to two hundred at-risk families who could start their Lunar New Year (Tsagaan Sar) off right in February as the Branch in Ulaanbaatar partnered with the Mongolian Red Cross Society. They provided food packages to victims of domestic violence and to those at extra risk due to COVID-19.
The MDGI Philippines office also donated to the fight against COVID-19 with supplies they organized and distributed to government units in four areas: Carmona Cavite, Aroroy Masbate, Monkayo Davao de Oro and Tubod Surigao del Norte. In response to the devastating Super Typhoon Rai that slammed into the Philippines in mid-December, the Branch purchased hundreds of pounds of rice, corned beef, noodles and other foodstuffs and delivered them to neighborhood officials for distribution.
In the wake of Super Typhoon Odette (Rai), teams in the Philippines deliver food to local authorities. With thousands left hungry and homeless before Christmas, sacks of rice, canned goods and instant noodles help in areas where Major Drilling camps and projects are located.
USA
U.S. teams contributed time and donations to a variety of good causes including the Brian Morris Trap Shoot Fundraiser organized by the Geological Society of Nevada Foundation. Bob Felder, GSN Foundation Board of Directors said, “I would like to thank…Major Drilling for your generous donation. The fund supports students with a passion for Nevada geology and exploration.”
In the southern U.S. where percussive drilling teams partner at the Nyrstar zinc mine in eastern Tennessee, Major Drilling sponsors the Tennessee Mine Rescue Association’s Southeast Regional Mine Rescue Contest each year. Rescue teams competed and demonstrated their essential, lifesaving training and skills that miners and drillers rely on every day.
The U.S. Division felt honored to join Special Olympics Utah at its Black & White Bocce Ball event in September to support the amazing community of special athletes.
At the U.S. Division offices in Salt Lake City, several initiatives supported the local community. They include sponsorship of a golf tournament hole with proceeds supporting the Huntsman Cancer Foundation and an event contributing to the success of Utah Special Olympics. The USA team also made a significant contribution to suicide prevention in Utah through the Loss-Loved Ones Suicide Survivors organization.
In many places around the globe, in many ways, Major Drilling shows it cares. For 2022, employees plan to continue their support in their communities as another year of making social responsibility a priority begins.
Follow Major Drilling on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to receive the latest company news and updates. Major Drilling, established in 1980, operates on five continents and is the world leader in specialized drilling. Learn more about how to make your next drilling project safe and successful with Major Drilling.
