Top 100 CEO Interviews
Issue No. 62 - December/January 2011
Mining boom drives JND growth
Contracts with the world’s largest mining companies and high demand for drilling rigs has John Nitschke Drilling, ranked 64 in the in-business Top 100 Company Index, forecasting a 72% increase in turnover this year.
“With significant mining activity across the energy and resources sector, drilling rigs are in high demand,” says CEO, Jonathan Nitschke.
Hahndorf-based JND has 15 rigs and crews in operation across Australia and awaits delivery of another two in early 2012.
“With new drilling rigs worth around $3 million each, they are a significant investment but are essential to help us continue to grow our company,” Jonathan says.
JND is providing six drilling rigs to BHP Billiton and one rig to Rio Tinto for iron ore exploration near Newman, WA. The BHP Billiton contract is being upgraded to a 24-hour operation to increase production, which is a first for this site.
JND is also working for BHP Mitsubishi Alliance in Moranbah, Queensland as part of a major coal exploration program. Now operating two drilling rigs, this number will grow to four when the new rigs arrive.
The company is undertaking coal seam gas exploration for Arrow Energy in Dalby, Queensland and geo-thermal exploration for AGL in Cooma in NSW.
Increased demand has driven a dramatic increase in turnover, which is up from $29 million in 2010-11 to an expected $50 million this year and $100 million in five years.
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