CDDA to mark 50th anniversary in New Orleans

Practically everyone knows everyone in the Canadian drilling industry, and that was clearly evident at the 49th annual convention of the Canadian Diamond Drilling Association (CDDA) staged here recently.

Although the drilling industry is a highly competitive business, the convention offers an opportunity for friends and acquaintances in the industry to exchange information.

Registration was not as high as in past years, but the technical papers were of a high calibre and participants included speakers from the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

The 50th convention promises to be bigger. To be staged in conjunction with a meeting of the International Drilling Federation, the 1993 convention, dubbed “Spotlight 93,” will take place May 5-7 in the Louisiana city of New Orleans. Of personal note at this year’s convention was a talk about India by Don Hoskin. To say Don is a colorful character is an understatement. I for one found his recent experience in India interesting and informative. Don and Ed McVeigh had an 18-month contract with a mining company in India to teach drillers there how to work and drill effectively.

This contract originated between the Haileybury School of Mines and the United Nations.

It would have been better for this article to be in Don’s own words; however, he did not have notes on this item. Don portrayed a picture of poor quality equipment, drill rods, drill bits, low productivity and unsafe working practices (drillers working around the rigs in sandals or bare feet; if a worker is injured, there is someone to take his place).

In 1947, India’s population was 400 million; the population at present is 900 million.

Don thanked all the Canadian companies they approached for donating various pieces of equipment. This enabled them to work with quality material and demonstrate to the workers and mining company officials what can be accomplished with proper materials and experience.

I do not remember exact figures as to the footage drilled by the natives before Don and Ed appeared on site, or the figure that Don had them drill before his contract expired, but the difference was significant, to say the least.

The natives claimed it was just luck, and couldn’t happen again. However, he believes it opened some eyes and Don suggested to the group at this morning session that they perhaps look into the possibility of supplying or setting up an outlet for quality material to this specialized industry. Don is hoping for the opportunity to go back.

Don’s wife and Ed’s wife and four children joined them in India. Canadian expertise in various fields is known worldwide and this is just a small example.