Highlights of the first 50 years

On Nov. 29, 1938, at North Bay, Ont., members of the American Diamond Drill Core Manufacturers Association met with some of the principal drill operators and manufacturers in Canada. The purpose of this meeting was to organize a Canadian association that would collaborate with the Americans to establish equipment standards that would be interchangeable between both countries.

At this inaugural meeting of the Canadian Diamond Core Drill Manufacturers Association (CDCMA) no officers were elected, but two committees were appointed, the organizing committee chaired by J. Rolston and the technical committee chaired by P. Hall.

A second meeting on May 30, 1939, led to the adoption of a constitution and bylaws. J. Rolston was elected president and J. Stevenson was appointed secretary-treasurer. Fees were set at $20 for active members and $10 for associates.

On Dec. 20, 1939, the Canadian dimensions for EXT size were accepted, and on Oct. 28, 1940, the Canadian group adopted the American “thin wall” standards. On Feb. 28, 1941, the CDCMA convened its first general meeting since organizing in 1938. The purpose of this meeting was to promote membership in the fledgling organization and to acquaint Canadian contracting firms and mining companies with recently established core-barrel standards. “One of the primary tasks of the diamond drilling associations in Canada and the U.S. is to develop a set of practical drilling equipment consisting of well-designed and interchangeable components.” (June 16, 1945) 1944-1953, The Learning Years

Although the CDDA’s organizational meeting took place in 1938, there would be a 5-year lull in exploration work while the industry turned its attention to war efforts.

When mining activities picked up in the mid-1940s, demand was rekindled for diamond drilling services and, by 1943, the Canadian Diamond Core Drill Manufacturer’s Association was actively planning its first annual general meeting (AGM) which would be held in North Bay in May of 1944. It was at this first AGM that H. Boyles was elected president and amendments to the constitution and bylaws resulted in a name change to the present Canadian Diamond Drilling Association (CDDA).

Also in 1944, the CDDA began negotiations with the Canadian Standards Association regarding acceptance of CDDA standards, and the technical committee

undertook the task of designing suitable blast hole equipment. On May 9, 1945, 114 inch blast hole equipment was adopted as a CDDA standard. Extracts from the minutes of a May 7, 1945, meeting of the technical committee tell us that “the meeting was interrupted because excitement on the streets assumed the proportions of celebration.” The reason for the excitement was news of the end of the war in Europe and it was “deemed by all present to be sufficient justification for adjournment.”

Also in 1945, the association investigates WCB rates, protests unfair silicosis assessments and reluctantly agrees that a WCB rate of 25 cents per $100 of payroll is a reasonable levy on surface diamond drilling payrolls. In 1947, the wire line method of core drilling made its debut and, by 1949, the CDDA had published its first “Safety Manual for Diamond Drillers,” in French and English.

The year 1951 saw the first printing of the CDDA’s Diamond Drill Handbook and, in 1952, the CDDA established its membership committee. 1954-1963, The Boom Years

By 1954, helicopter-supported drilling programs were changing the industry’s seasonal approach to doing business. In 1955, “W” series drill rods and couplings were adopted as new standards in the U.S. and Canada, making complete interchangeability possible on an international basis. This was also the year that N. George and C. Gibson prepared an in-depth safety measures program for the association, and members agreed to investigate accidents and report them monthly to the association, for statistical purposes. Formed in 1956, the CDDA’s personal development committee set about exploring problems in the industry, and was ultimately responsible for improving wages and working conditions for drill crews. This same year, the CDDA sponsored an International Diamond Drilling Conference in Toronto.

In 1957, the CDDA introduced safety trophies and life memberships. The first full-time managing director was hired Oct. 1, 1957, in the person of C. Steine, who would remain a vocal and active CDDA supporter for some 21 years. It was also in 1957 that the northern safety group was formed to look at health, safety and environmental issues.

The CDDA’s first quarterly newsletter was published in 1959, the same year the central regional group was formed to represent Kenora, Red Lake, Port Arthur and Manitoba. On Jan. 1, 1960, the WCB’s proposed merit rating plan becomes effective in Ontario, and provincial monthly accident forms are replaced by a Canada-wide form.

This same year, the CDDA was looking at standardizing tender and contract forms, the first edition of the Safe Work Methods handbook was printed, and efforts were made to inaugurate a safety group in the Maritimes. Footages reported in the 1950s showed an increase of about 75% over footages recorded for the 1940s, skyrocketing from a yearly average of 3.7 million ft. to an impressive 6.5 million ft.

In 1962, the first discussions took place concerning an Apprentice Training School for drill helpers, and 1963 marked the 100th anniversary of diamond drilling. (The first machine was used in Canada in 1863 for experimental blasthole drilling.) Also this year, the initial strike hole was drilled for the major Texas Gulf find in Timmins, Ont.

1964-1973, Years of Challenge

In 1964, the CDDA begins a campaign to restore full exemption to a new 11% excise tax on diamond dust and industrial diamonds. The tax was reduced to 6% in 1967 and completely eliminated in April, 1968.

A driller’s training program gets underway in 1956, with the first classes held in Cobalt, and a training course for diamond drill helpers is established in Timmins. Applications for membership in the CDDA are received from France, Great Britain and Russia.

In 1966, the CDDA institutes the use of a new monthly statistical report form and a “made in Canada” ruling comes into effect covering diamond set saw blades; blades made outside Canada would now pay a tariff of 2212%, compared to the previous rate of 712%.

A regional group was formed in British Columbia in 1968, as was the eastern contractors division, which was organized to meet current and future requirements for qualified drill crews and supervisory personnel. This was also the year the CDDA hired a public relations consultant to advance the image of the industry in the eyes of the mining fraternity and labor force. In 1970, the western contractors division is established, with W. Mundle as chairman; the CDDA hires its first accident prevention co-ordinator, F. Pearson; a safety engineer with the Mines Accident Prevention Association Ontario (MAPAO) is appointed to work full-time on safety and accident prevention in the drilling industry.

In 1971, the CDDA supports the Mining Association of Canada in its protest against Bill C-212 respecting land use operations in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories; an executive committee is established, chaired by J. McBean, to govern day-to-day operations of the association and investigate pre-legislative actions of the government; and the northwest safety group, chaired by P. Chopek, is formed to represent the needs of drilling contractors in northwestern Ontario and Manitoba.

In 1972, imperial standards for drilling equipment are published and the CDDA’s safety committee designs a personal injury and property damage form to embrace the concept of total loss control. The practice of one man working a drill underground is discontinued in 1973.

1974-1983, Years of Opportunity

The CDDA, Northern College and Haileybury School of Mines establish the Diamond Drill School in Haileybury in 1974; the western contractors group copes with new mining legislation; the eastern division holds its first assistant diamond drill op
erators training course, and the CDDA’s standard form of contract is generally accepted by the industry.

In 1976, technology for the impregnated bit is perfected and, with the advent of man-made diamonds, begins to enjoy industry-wide use. This is also the year that the CDDA’s safety plaques are renamed to perpetuate the name of George Lemay, in recognition of his activities in safety and accident prevention.

In 1978, intervention by the CDDA results in the relaxing of British Columbia sales taxes on diamond cutout credits. The first issue of Drillpress is circulated in 1979, and in 1980, the CDDA begins a project with CANMET regarding noise suppression in diamond drills.

In 1981, the CDDA produces Diamond Core Drilling Equipment-General, the metric version of the industry’s equipment standards. In 1982, the Burkett Commission report is issued, and the CDDA take a leading role in organizing the first ever International Seminar on Diamond Core Drilling, held in Sudbury Aug. 14-28.

1984-1993, Years of Change

CDDA headquarters move from Toronto to North Bay in 1985, to reduce operating costs and encourage closer liaison with members. Flow-through shares are introduced in 1986, and the CDDA commits financially to the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada in support of a study on the effect of flow-through share financing.

In 1987, the Ontario government amends Occupational Health and Safety legislation to introduce the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). The CDDA becomes extremely active in promoting safety and training, and all agree this is a banner year for the industry.

Rules governing flow-through shares are changed in 1988, and the CDDA lends its support to a major “save flow-through” campaign. That same year, the first female, fully-qualified diamond driller is hired in British Columbia and the CDDA spearheads the establishment of a WHMIS program tailored to the industry’s needs.

The association becomes a member of the International Drilling Federation (IDF), and is instrumental in establishing the common core training program for industry workers. Also in 1988, the WCB announces its intention to alter the method of calculating assessable earning for industry workers with less than a full year’s service.

The Henry Skowronski Memorial Award is introduced in 1989, recognizing the most significant reduction in lost-time accident frequency. That same year, Bill 162, an Act to Amend the Workers Compensation Act, passes into law and the CDDA lobbies for a rate group assessment review. Also in 1989, the CDDA establishes a health and safety legislation and workers compensation subcommittee.

In 1990, the northern safety group is restructured to focus on accident prevention, and all agree this is the year of “The Decline,” with manufacturers and operators having to look outside Canada for customers and contracts.

In 1991, the CDDA introduces the Impregnated Bit Matrix Chart. An environmental committee is formed and, a year later, a comprehensive environmental policy is introduced. Also in 1992, a WCB over-assessment of the industry, retroactive to 1988, results in $2.5 million being returned to the industry in the form of cheques, credits and/or adjustments. In Jan., 1993, the CDDA

introduces its Environmental Guidelines.