Vincent Boileau Co-President and BD Manager ATELIER VAL D'OR (AVD) DRILLS
Can you introduce Atelier Val-d'Or (AVD) Drills and the company’s presence in the Québec mining ecosystem?
Atelier Val-d'Or (AVD) was established in 1975 and specializes in designing and manufacturing hydraulic diamond drills for mineral exploration. We offer three models for deep and large hole drilling and we work closely with drilling and mining companies. Safety is critically important in the mining industry, and AVD is a world-renowned pioneer in rod handlers for diamond drilling and was the first Canadian drill rig manufacturer to patent a rod-handling solution. Today we are promoting our Bluetooth-controlled hands-free rod handling system which is simple to use promotes safety. Can you elaborate on AVD’s culture of innovation?
Technology allows us to connect remotely with drill rigs to monitor performance and troubleshoot. We are continuously working to increase the efficiency of our products.
AVD’s mission is to make the driller’s life better to enable them to spend more time drilling. We make our drill rigs ergonomic and comfortable for operators. How is AVD supporting the growth in connected equipment in Québec?
AVD collaborates with Groupe MISA whose mission is to support companies in deploying a critical mass of connected equipment into the Québec mineral sector through their Vortex Course. The Vortex Course allows us to test and prove our innovations before they are launched. What does demand for heliportable drill rigs currently look like?
Many critical minerals are in the James Bay area which is extremely remote with limited infrastructure. Heliportable drill rigs are in high demand in these remote areas. What are AVD’s key priorities for 2024 and beyond?
We will continue to focus on innovation. Our team of seasoned engineers, machinists, welders, assemblers, and state-of-the-art equipment allows us to address mining industry challenges and exceed the needs of our clients.
Yuri Alexandre CEO DYNAMITAGE CASTONGUAY
Can you update us on Dynamitage Castonguay and how business has been recently?
Since 2022, we have grown with new major mining contracts. We position ourselves as a turnkey drill & blast contractor and explosives distributor, unique in Québec. One of our recent success stories has been tackling a lithium open pit project in Québec. Now we have two active mining contracts in Québec where we supply 100% of the explosives. We have also added new assets to our bulk emulsion service fleet and started selling products to third parties. How important is Québec for your company compared to other regions you operate in?
Québec is our core market, accounting for over 80% of our revenue. The company and its owners are from Québec, and we have two offices here. What are your plans for drilling and blasting technology going forward?
We have invested heavily in autonomous rigs, GPS-equipped rigs, and remote capabilities for safety, which are now industry standards. We aim to master this new technology to remain efficient and profitable. We got ahead of the competition by investing in this equipment a couple of years ago. We are focusing on explosives and blasting, partnering with Austin Powder, an American company, to develop the Québec market. What excites you about the future of the mining industry in Québec?
The emergence of new projects and the shortage of skilled labor means mining companies will increasingly rely on contractors like us. What will be the key priorities for you and your team to continue being successful?
Attracting top talent is crucial, so we focus on company culture, branding, values, and equipment. Building strong partnerships with suppliers, and even competitors, is essential, too. And managing costs efficiently is vital to avoid constant price increases for customers.