About Us

Providing comprehensive drilling services since 2011.

Omineca Diamond Drilling Ltd. was started in 2011 by experienced partners Bruce Hiller and Tony Clovis, who believed there was a need to provide a new level of flexible and responsive drilling services to support the rapidly expanding field of metal and mineral exploration.

Omineca Diamond Drilling Ltd.'s strong combination of drilling, helicopter and remote location expertise is supported by high quality, certified drilling equipment and well-defined health and safety procedures.

---

Bruce Hiller

Owner |

Bruce Hiller's helicopter experience started in 1980 and he started a drilling company in 1985. He has been involved in all aspects of the industry, including ownership, management, field work. His formal training as a helicopter engineer is invaluable and contributed to Bruce’s design and manufacture of several models of drill rigs. Bruce also has extensive experience managing operations in Central and South America.

Tony Clovis

Owner |

Tony Clovis started in the oil drilling industry in 1982 and diamond drilling in 1988. He has enjoyed the majority of those years in a managerial role, throughout Canada and Central America. Tony has a vast amount of experience with surface coring, underground, high pressure, and helicopter supported drilling jobs. Tony formed Omineca Diamond Drilling Ltd. with his former employer Bruce Hiller. With an aggressive start in 2011 with three drills, expanding to the current fleet of eight drills, Tony looks forward to overseeing Omineca Diamond Drilling Ltd.'s continued growth.

Mark Puglas

Indigenous Relations Advisor

Mark Puglas is a member of the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Mark has lived and worked in Burns Lake for over 28 years with his wife Lisa and their sons Tristen and Braden. Lisa, Tristen and Braden are members of the Lake Babine Nation. Mark is committed to creating meaningful connections with First Nations organizations and establishing long-term relationships in the local communities where we operate. With over 25 years in the lumber, mining and wood pellet industries, Mark brings a strong record of safety leadership and team building. His strong communication, leadership and organizational talents have led to the development of an extensive network of contacts and stakeholders. Mark’s focus is to work with Indigenous leaders and Industry to further our safety performance and sustainability goals of both Omineca Diamond Drilling and the Indigenous groups across the company’s footprint.

Roger Hick

Field Operations Manager

Having started at the entry level of the mining and exploration industry, Roger has worked his way up through the ranks over the past 20 years. He has worked and managed many different projects, from large active production mines to 10 drill exploration projects throughout Canada. Roger’s hands-on knowledge of the diamond drilling industry complements the extensive network of contacts he has developed throughout his career, providing Omineca Diamond Drilling with a valuable asset for managing crews and projects for our clients. His focus on safety for crews, clients and the environment match with Omineca Diamond Drilling Ltd.’s goals, further ensuring that Omineca Diamond Drilling Ltd. is able to provide safe, professional and reliable drilling services for our clients.

---

"Omineca’s efficiency comes from the high calibre drill team and well maintained equipment. The rig that arrived on site had been fully serviced prior to arrival so break downs were almost non-existent. Any unforeseen problems were fixed in minimal time and replacement parts were never an issue. The drill team achieved consistent high meterage shifts while maintaining a top safety record. Dolly Varden Silver Corperation would not hesitate to recommend Omineca Diamond drilling to any company that seeks a high production rate with safe and professional service."

Rob van Egmond, P.Geo. Chief Geologist
Dolly Varden Silver Corporation