With a global exploration expenditure of over $8 billion in 2007 and a budget of some $10 billion this year, drilling companies are posting great results these days. Exploration (drilling, sampling and surveying) is feaured in the February issue of International Mining. The issue will also feature an interview with Boart Longyear’s CEO, Paul Brunner.

Major Drilling Group International is another example of the boom. It posted the highest quarterly revenue in its history with revenue of C$156.1 million, up 53.3% from the C$101.8 million recorded for the same quarter last year. Gross margin percentage for the quarter was 35% compared to 33.2% for the corresponding period last year, with good performance from all segments.