CDDA membership on rise

The association and the diamond drilling industry have weathered another trying year. In 1992, the association saw a general 17% drop in membership over 1991.

Already, this year has begun to show a marked improvement over 1992. The board of directors has accepted the applications of eight new members. They are confident that the membership drive planned for 1993-1994 will bring more members on board.

From a productivity point of view, the association has been active on behalf of the industry. To name but a few of the major accomplishments: *completion of the Environmental Guidelines

* the successful advertisement campaign of the Environmental Policy * a regular monthly “Drill Press”

* recognition by the WCB that the drilling industry is different from the mining contractors

* unprecedented co-operation by the membership in reporting their footages drilled

* successful conclusion of an Economic Study that proves conclusively that there is no causal relationship between carpal tunnel, white finger, tendinitis and the drilling industry.

Areas that the association will be concentrating on for next year: * an active membership drive

* an advertisement campaign designed to inform the mining industry of CDDA member attributes

* to have all contracting members report their accident statistics * to work on creating a Drillers Apprenticeship Program for the industry, through the Ontario Ministry of Skills and Development.

Positive indicators on the economic front for the Canadian mining industry are the increased activity in the oil patch; the heady grassroots exploration for diamonds in Canada; the depletion of mineral reserves and the lack of grassroots exploration over the last few years; U.S. President Bill Clinton’s announcements of royalty increases on American mineral extraction; and increased political unrest in the old Soviet Union, and in the Middle and Far East. All will contribute to a steady increase of investment capital back into Canada’s mineral industry.

Canadian diamond drilling companies enjoy an unprecedented international reputation for getting the toughest jobs done. Our Canadian manufacturers are in the forefront of drilling technology. Canadian mining companies are sought after for their technological expertise in the extraction of minerals, in any geological environment.

The near future will undoubtedly see the veil being lifted from the eyes of our politicians. They will come to realize the economic importance of our mining industry. Capital investment will once again flow into our politically stable nation and our mineral industry will become a well-recognized contributor to the economic well-being of our country.

— Richard Niels is CDDA secretary-manager.