Major Drilling
Major Drilling Group International Inc. is the world's largest specialized drilling services contractor to the mining industry, operating 701 rigs and 6,000+ employees across six continents and serving major, mid-tier, and junior mining companies through surface and underground drilling.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersMoncton, Canada
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Major Drilling does
Major Drilling Group International Inc. is the world's largest specialized drilling services contractor to the metals and mining industry, operating 701 drill rigs and a workforce of more than 6,000 employees across six continents through field operations and registered offices in 15+ countries including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Guyana, Bolivia, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Mongolia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia. The company serves the full vertical of mining customers from the world's largest producers (Barrick Gold, Rio Tinto, Newmont, Resolution Copper) through mid-tier operators to junior exploration companies, delivering surface drilling services (core, heli-portable, directional, reverse circulation, rotary, blast hole, sonic, dewatering) and underground coring services (skid and mobile core, percussive, mine services). Founded in 1980 in New Brunswick and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:MDI) since March 1995, the company has built its position through more than 24 acquisitions, the most transformational being the November 2024 acquisition of Explomin Perforaciones, which increased the rig count to 701 and established global #1 status by fleet size.
The company's technology stack is anchored by the Major+ innovation platform, launched in December 2025, which bundles drillside AI imaging (RockLens, developed with KORE GeoSystems and producing AI-generated RQD logs), advanced drill data analytics with a digital co-pilot (Rock5), hands-free rod handling systems (SafeGrip and SafeGrip UG with AiVA Pedestrian Detection), water management (AquaLink), drilling operations management (MTBPortal with API integration capabilities), and AI-driven digital core logging software (SPECTOR Geo and SPECTOR Ingest, integrated with DGI Geoscience). Strategic partnerships with DGI Geoscience (downhole technology, geophysical measurements) and KORE GeoSystems (AI core logging) and a corporate investment in those firms position Major Drilling at the intersection of traditional drilling services and data-driven mining intelligence. The Major+ layer is sold as part of the service offering rather than as a standalone software product.
Major Drilling generates revenue through project-based specialized drilling services, billed per project based on drilling type, depth, location, duration, and equipment requirements, with multi-year contracts as the prevailing cadence. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, and the company does not report ARR. The revenue model is best characterized as professional services with significant capital intensity (the 701-rig fleet represents the major capital base). Fiscal 2026 (year ended April 30, 2026) record revenue was $889.1 million, up 22% from $727.6 million in the prior year, with Q4 2026 revenue of $233.7 million (+25% YoY). Net earnings of $21.4 million were down from $26.0 million due to lower margin profile of the Explomin acquisition and ongoing cost pressures; the company ended FY2026 with $20.6 million in net cash, a swing from a $3.9 million net debt position, and a market capitalization of approximately C$1.37 billion as of April 2026.
Major Drilling firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Major Drilling
- Legal name
- Major Drilling Group International Inc.
- Website
- https://majordrilling.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Major Drilling Group International Inc. is the world's largest specialized drilling services contractor to the mining industry, operating 701 rigs and 6,000+ employees across six continents and serving major, mid-tier, and junior mining companies through surface and underground drilling.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Major Drilling industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mining Drilling Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Mining (2131), Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114), Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations (213112), Support Activities for Mining (21311)
- SIC
- Mining Machinery & Equip (No Oil & Gas Field Mach & Equip) (3532), Metal Mining (1000), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Exploration & Production Drilling Services (RC, Core, Directional, Sonic, Auger) (IMAKAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mine Operations Contracting (Open-Pit & Underground Development, Production, Load/Haul) (IMAKAKAD), Rock Drilling & Blasthole Drilling Equipment (IMAHAMAC), Drilling Rigs & Drill Systems (IMAHAMAA)
Keywords
Where Major Drilling is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Moncton
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices15 records
Markets served
Major Drilling business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Specialized Drilling Services: Major Drilling generates revenue through providing specialized drilling services to the mining sector. The company operates on a project contract basis, delivering drilling services for mineral exploration and mining operations. Revenue is generated from surface drilling, underground coring, and specialized drilling projects for mining clients globally. The company reported record annual revenue of $889.1 million for Fiscal 2026, up 22% from $727.6 million in the prior year.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based specialized drilling services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Major Drilling product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Major Drilling Group International Inc. is the world's leading provider of specialized drilling services for the metals and mining industry, operating a fleet of 700+ drill rigs and 6,000+ employees across 6 continents. The company delivers surface drilling services (core, heli-portable, directional, reverse circulation, rotary, blast hole, sonic, dewatering) and underground coring services (skid & mobile core, percussive, mine services) to mining clients, augmented by the Major+ technology platform.
Product overview
Major Drilling Group International Inc. operates as the world's leading provider of specialized drilling services for the mining industry. The company offers two core service lines: Surface Drilling Services (Core Drilling, Heli-Portable, Directional, Reverse Circulation, Rotary, Blast Hole Drilling, Sonic, Dewatering) and Underground Drilling Services (Core Drilling, Percussive, Mine Services). The Major+ innovation platform augments these drilling services with intelligence solutions including RockLens (AI-powered drillside imaging), Rock5 (drill data analytics with digital co-pilot), SafeGrip/SafeGrip UG (hands-free rod handling), AquaLink (water management), MTBPortal (drilling operations management with API), and SPECTOR Geo/SPECTOR Ingest (AI-powered digital core logging software).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Major+: Innovation platform encompassing intelligence services including RockLens drillside imaging unit, Rock5 drill data analytics, SafeGrip rod handling, AquaLink water management, and MTBPortal drill time management software.
Products and services
- Surface Drilling Services Comprehensive surface drilling services for mining exploration and operations, including Core Drilling, Heli-Portable, Directional, Reverse Circulation, Rotary, Blast Hole Drilling, Sonic, and Dewatering. Delivered to mining companies worldwide through Major Drilling's fleet of rigs and experienced crews.
- Underground Drilling Services Underground coring and drilling services for mining operations, including Core Drilling (Skid and Mobile), Percussive drilling, Mine Services, and specialized Core Drilling with P Capabilities for deep, medium, and shallow hole applications. Delivered to mining companies at underground sites globally.
- Major+ Innovation Platform Comprehensive innovation platform from Major Drilling that integrates technology and tradition for safety, performance, and data-driven decision-making at the drillside, encompassing intelligence solutions for drilling operations worldwide.
- RockLens Drillside imaging unit that captures high resolution core photos and uses AI to produce quick logs, including RQD measurements. Images are searchable, indexed, depth referenced, and viewable online from anywhere in the world within seconds. Developed in collaboration with KORE GeoSystems.
- Rock5 Advanced drill data analytics technology offering improvements in safety, drill performance, and real-time data insights. Features an in-house designed dashboard tracking drill function pressures, water usage, and drilling parameters with an integrated digital co-pilot for crew performance enhancement.
- SafeGrip Hands-free rod handling system for safety and efficiency. Offers compatibility with all rod sizes, 180-degree multi-axis movement, and automated features to lower strain and risk for drilling crews.
- SafeGrip UG Underground-specific version of SafeGrip with IP67 rating for tough conditions, AiVA Pedestrian Detection System for zone monitoring, and Smart Diagnostics with wi-fi enabled support.
- AquaLink Control system designed to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact by monitoring and adjusting water pump performance in real-time. Features water supply usage monitoring, volume and temperature tracking, and leak detection.
- MTBPortal In-house designed dashboard platform that captures production summaries, shift reporting, and delivers reliable data insights on drilling operations, with API capabilities for integration with other platforms.
- SPECTOR Geo Digital core logging software designed for geologists, simplifying classification of new and legacy imagery with an AI-driven platform for geological logging, data visualization, and analysis.
- SPECTOR Ingest Advanced software module that imports historical and new photographs efficiently, automating cropping and structuring processes with AI technology.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 250,000 meters drilled for Sabina Gold & Silver on Back River Gold project since 2010, achieving lowest incident rate and highest production rate in project's history
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Major Drilling
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Major Drilling technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability4 records
Feature7 records
Major Drilling partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- KORE GeoSystemscoreStrategic partnership for AI-powered core logging technology. KORE GeoSystems and Major Drilling collaborate on RockLens drillside imaging unit, with KORE's Spector platform using AI to produce quick logs including RQD measurements. The partnership provides unparalleled geoscience solutions and data-driven insights that enhance drilling performance and customer experience.
- DGI Geoscience Inc.coreStrategic partnership with premier downhole technology company DGI Geoscience Inc. The partnership provides unparalleled geoscience solutions and data-driven insights. DGI contributes expertise in directional drilling, hole inspection, and geophysical data services including conductivity, electrical, magnetic, natural & spectral gamma, acoustic velocity, and density measurements.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Major Drilling competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Foraco International SA: Foraco International is a TSX-listed global mineral drilling services contractor offering surface and underground core, reverse circulation, and rotary drilling to mining companies across the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. It is a closely comparable pure-play peer to Major Drilling with similar service portfolio, project-based revenue model, and customer base of major and junior miners.
- Boart Longyear: Boart Longyear is one of the world's largest integrated drilling services and equipment providers for the mining industry, offering surface and underground core drilling, reverse circulation, and directional services. It is the most direct global competitor to Major Drilling across similar customer segments (major and junior miners) and geographies, with overlapping service lines and equipment manufacturing capabilities.
- Orbit Garant Drilling Services Inc. Orbit Garant is a Canadian TSX-listed mineral drilling contractor specializing in surface and underground core drilling with operations primarily in Canada and select international markets. While smaller and more regionally concentrated, it competes head-to-head with Major Drilling in Canadian exploration drilling for gold and base metals customers.
- Capital Drilling International: Capital Drilling was a London-listed global mineral drilling contractor offering surface and underground exploration drilling services to mining clients across Africa, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific before its 2022 acquisition. It competed directly with Major Drilling in emerging market exploration drilling and remains a useful comparable for African and LATAM contract pricing and utilization benchmarks.
Broad incumbents
- Perenti Limited (formerly Ausdrill): Perenti is an ASX-listed diversified mining services contractor offering drilling, blasting, and underground mining services globally. While it has historical overlap with Major Drilling in drilling (it divested some drilling assets to Major Drilling in 2001), Perenti now competes more broadly across the mining services value chain rather than purely in specialized drilling.
- Epiroc AB: Epiroc is a Swedish-listed global mining and infrastructure equipment manufacturer (spun off from Atlas Copco in 2018) that also offers parts, service, and automation solutions to mining customers. While primarily an equipment OEM rather than pure drilling contractor, Epiroc competes at the intersection of drilling equipment, automation, and services — increasingly overlapping with Major Drilling's Major+ technology roadmap.
- Atlas Copco (now part of Epiroc): Atlas Copco historically competed across mining and construction equipment; its mining-focused operations were spun off as Epiroc in 2018. Atlas Copco continues to operate in compressors and industrial tools adjacent to mining customers, making it a broad incumbent comparable for the equipment and service ecosystem in which Major Drilling competes.
- Sandvik AB: Sandvik is a Swedish-listed engineering group with a major Mining and Rock Solutions division that manufactures drilling equipment, tools, and offers related services to the mining industry. As an OEM and automation supplier, Sandvik competes with Major Drilling both through equipment sales to competing drilling contractors and increasingly through its own Rock Processing and digital mining services.
Emerging players
- Robit Oyj: Robit is a Finnish-listed manufacturer of drilling consumables (drill bits, rods, and downhole tools) for the mining, construction, and infrastructure markets. While not a direct drilling services competitor, Robit is a relevant adjacent peer as both a supplier to Major Drilling's operations and a competitor in drill tools/bits — the same product category referenced in Major Drilling's own equipment offerings.
Regional players
- Drake Drilling Services: Drake Drilling Services is a privately held Australian-based drilling contractor offering specialized surface and underground drilling to mining clients primarily in Australia. It is a regional peer to Major Drilling in Australasia, competing on similar core/reverse circulation service lines with locally focused mobilization.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Major Drilling social profiles
Digital presenceMajor Drilling compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Major Drilling financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Major Drilling leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Major Drilling subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Major Drilling funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Major Drilling M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Major Drilling
What does Major Drilling do?
Major Drilling Group International Inc. is the world's leading provider of specialized drilling services for the metals and mining industry, operating a fleet of 700+ drill rigs and 6,000+ employees across 6 continents. The company delivers surface drilling services (core, heli-portable, directional, reverse circulation, rotary, blast hole, sonic, dewatering) and underground coring services (skid & mobile core, percussive, mine services) to mining clients, augmented by the Major+ technology platform.
Is Major Drilling a public or private company?
Major Drilling is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Major Drilling founded?
Major Drilling was founded in 1980. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Major Drilling based?
Major Drilling is headquartered in Moncton, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Major Drilling make money?
One revenue line is on record: specialized Drilling Services.
Who are Major Drilling's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Foraco International SA, Boart Longyear, Orbit Garant Drilling Services Inc. and Capital Drilling International. Broad incumbents are Perenti Limited (formerly Ausdrill), Epiroc AB, Atlas Copco (now part of Epiroc) and Sandvik AB. Robit Oyj is listed as an emerging player. Drake Drilling Services is listed as a regional player.
Does Major Drilling have an API?
No public API is recorded for Major Drilling.
What industry is Major Drilling in?
Major Drilling's product category is Mining Drilling Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKAKAB, Exploration & Production Drilling Services (RC, Core, Directional, Sonic, Auger), with a secondary code of IMAKAKAD, Mine Operations Contracting (Open-Pit & Underground Development, Production, Load/Haul). Its NAICS code is 2131 and its SIC code is 3532.