Exploration drilling / Геологоразведочное бурение

The mineral exploration community has, in recent decades, suffered its fair share of cyclical times. However, the latest cycle is unprecedented in the large swing from the successive boom years of 2005-2008 to the sharp decline in late 2008 caused by the global financial crisis. The last three cycles have one distinct common factor, which is the ongoing increase in demand for mineral resources as a result of global population growth and the emergence of less-developed countries. Even in the current economical turmoil, most will agree that the mid- to longterm outlook favours continued increased demand for mineral commodities, and pressure on exploration drilling programmes. <...>