F ocus on integrated solutions the minerals development and production industry has undergone a significant period of consolidation over the last few years As such a significant customer base for the contract drillers is the large diversified and internationally active major mining companies These customers often seek an integrated solution whereby a drilling contractor can be active across a range of projects and geographies and importantly be able to progress a project from exploration through development and ideally into production Increased social licence requirements the minerals industry recognizes that a primary driver of success is achieving the support of local stakeholders to various project including communities and governments Minimizing environmental impact at all stages of the development cycle including exploration is seen as a large part of garnering such support Mineral Drilling Services Competitive Environment Drilling service providers compete on the basis of price accuracy safety productivity reliability experience and environmental record Contracts for drilling services are typically awarded following a tender process where various pricing considerations are taken into account including the geography geology timeframe staffing and equipment requirements and tooling costs A typical drilling services contract specifies the depth of the drilling required the estimated time to complete the project and the scope of the drilling work required Drilling service providers typically charge a fee based on the number of metres drilled As such in addition to providing an accurate price estimate a key determinant in the profitability of a drilling services contract is productivity which is achieved through maximizing the number of metres drilled as well as accurate core recovery The productivity of a drilling service provider is primarily tied to the skill and experience of the drill operator the drilling method and the type reliability and efficiency of the drilling equipment as well as the logistical support for the project In some cases especially for complex drilling such as deephole or directional drilling drilling service providers are paid on a dayrate and costplus basis Certain costs such as fuel transportation and lodging for the workers are passed on to the mining companies or built into the contract with a profit margin A typical drilling contract provides that the mining company also pays for the costs to mobilize or set up the drilling operation and to demobilize the drilling operation removing the drilling equipment and clean up the site at the end of the contract Mobilizing and demobilization can be very expensive and can act as an incentive to renew a contract if additional drilling is required at a location at the end of an existing contract The mining drilling service industry is highly fragmented with few major market participants and a large number of small often familyrun regional or local companies Key large industry participants in the global mining drilling services industry include Boart L ongyear Limited Energold Drilling Corp F oraco International SA L ayne Christensen Company Major Drilling Group International Inc and Orbit Garant THE COMP ANY Orbit Garant results from the amalgamation under the Canada Business Corporations Act CBCA of F orages Garant F orages Garant GP Inc 4382447 Canada Inc and Ironbridge Equity Holdings Inc pursuant to articles of amalgamation dated January 31 2007 On January 31 2007 F orages Garant one of the companies that amalgamated to form Orbit Garant acquired Orbit combining the operations of the two companies F orages Garant had resulted from the amalgamation under the CBCA of Garant and 4382463 Canada Inc on October 1 2006 The registered and head office of Orbit Garant is located at 1 Place V ille Marie 37 th Floor Montreal Qu ebec Canada H3B 3P4 27