MONCTON, NB, March 24 /CNW/ - Major Drilling Group International Inc. (TSX: MDI) is pleased to announce that it has, today, completed the purchase of the drilling operations of Resource Drilling in Mozambique. This business operates in a region where Major Drilling does not currently have a presence.
Through this purchase Major Drilling will acquire 15 drill rigs, together with related support equipment, inventory, and contracts. In addition to purchasing the drilling assets, Major Drilling is retaining the operations' management teams, as well as most of the other employees, including a large number of experienced drillers.
The purchase price for the transaction is US$9.73 million.
"We are very pleased to welcome this new operation into the Major group. Not only does this acquisition provide us with assets, experienced drillers and existing contracts in Mozambique, it also provides a foundation for our expansion in this exciting region, which shows great mining potential, particularly for coal projects," said Francis McGuire, President and CEO of Major Drilling Group International Inc.
Some of the statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements, such as, but not limited to, those relating to worldwide demand for gold and base metals and overall commodity prices, the level of activity in the minerals and metals industry and the demand for the Company's services, the Canadian and international economic environments, the Company's ability to attract and retain customers and to manage its assets and operating costs, sources of funding for its clients, particularly for junior mining companies, competitive pressures, currency movements, which can affect the Company's revenue in Canadian dollars, the geographic distribution of the Company's operations, the impact of operational changes, changes in jurisdictions in which the Company operates (including changes in regulation), failure by counterparties to fulfill contractual obligations, and other factors as may be set forth, as well as objectives or goals, and including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition to exist or occur. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements by reason of factors such as, but not limited to, the factors set out in the discussion starting on pages 15 to 17 of the 2010 Annual Report entitled "General Risks and Uncertainties", and such other documents as available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. All such factors should be considered carefully when making decisions with respect to the Company. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, including those statements that are incorporated by reference herein, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Based in Moncton, New Brunswick, Major Drilling Group International Inc. is one of the world's largest metals and minerals contract drilling service companies. To support its customers' mining operations, mineral exploration and environmental activities, Major Drilling maintains operations in Canada, the United States, South and Central America, Australia, Asia, and Africa.