TD Equipment: Strengthening Mongolia's Drilling Performance Through Innovation and Local Investment

We spoke with Vince Startsevich, Business Development Manager at Black Diamond Drilling Services-an Australian company working to bring global engineering expertise to Mongolia. The company supplies equipment, trains underground mining personnel at Oyu Tolgoi, and provides technical support tailored to the challenging climate and unique terrain of the Gobi region.

Could you please introduce Black Diamond Drilling Services Australia and share an overview of your core expertise and the sectors you serve?

Black Diamond Drilling Services Australia is a global manufacturer and supplier of high-performance drilling consumables, specializing in rotary and DTH tooling. With a strong presence across Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Central Asia, we serve leading mining and exploration companies by delivering engineered solutions built for the toughest geological environments.

How does your partnership with TD Equipment LLC help you operate effectively in Mongolia's unique mineral exploration and mining environment?

In Mongolia, we operate in partnership with TD Equipment LLC, a collaboration that combines Black Diamond's global engineering expertise with TDE's local presence and logistical capability. This partnership allows us to deliver tailored solutions quickly and efficiently, backed by in-country technical support and a deep understanding of the Mongolian mining landscape. One of our proudest achievements is our ongoing support of the Oyu Tolgoimine, where we've been a trusted supplier for the past three years. Our involvement goes beyond supply - we're engaged in a process of continuous improvement, working closely with site personnel to adapt our products to specific ground conditions. This flexibility and collaborative spirit are hallmarks of our approach.

What are the biggest challenges your company faces working in Mongolia, and how do you overcome them?

Operating in Mongolia comes with challenges from harsh winters to remote access and complex logistics. We mitigate these with proactive stockholding, local warehousing, fast-track supply coordination, and regular site visits. Importantly, we're investing in advanced training for local technicians, drawing on experience from our Canadian operations, where drilling conditions are closely aligned. This ensures the training is relevant, practical, and impactful.

What technologies or innovations do you bring to drilling projects in Mongolia that differentiate you from other service providers?

Technologically, Black Diamond sets itself apart with high-penetration tricone and DTH bit designs, wear-resistant materials, and innovative carbide recycling initiatives that help clients reduce cost-per-meter and environmental impact. Our products are supported by data-driven field performance tracking and engineering refinement - a key factor in delivering consistent value to major projects.

How do you see the demand for drilling services evolving in Mongolia over the next 3 to 5 years, especially in mineral exploration and mining?

Looking ahead, Mongolia's mining and exploration sector is poised for growth, particularly in the development of critical minerals. We're scaling up local support to meet this rising demand, with plans that include deepening our technical base, expanding stock availability, and launching localized repair and recycling programs. Our mission is clear: to deliver world-class drilling solutions, while building local capability and long-term partnerships.

What are Black Diamond Drilling Services' plans for expanding or strengthening your presence in the Mongolian market?

We're committed to long-term investment in Mongolia, with a key focus on advancing the capabilities of local technicians. Through structured training programs, including the transfer of technical expertise where from our Canadian operations drilling conditions closely resemble those in Mongolia we aim to upskill the local workforce and build site-level technical autonomy. In parallel, we're expanding local stock holdings, increasing on-ground technical support, and enhancing our collaboration with TD Equipment LLC to ensure agile supply chain responsiveness. We're also exploring localized refurbishment and carbide recycling programs to support our clients' sustainability goals while reducing cost and downtime. Our priority is to deliver high-performance solutions backed by empowered local teams and global technical support..