For the second consecutive year, the Canadian Diamond Drilling Association (CDDA) was proud to recognize outstanding individuals in our industry through the CDDA Appreciation Safety Awards at the 80th CDDA AGM and Convention this year in Quebec City May 25-27, 2025. These awards highlight members who exemplify excellence in safety leadership, innovation, and implementation across the diamond drilling and exploration sector.
Each year, CDDA members are invited to nominate peers who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to safety—whether through groundbreaking technology, creative safety documentation, specialized training initiatives, or successful incident prevention strategies. After careful review, we are pleased to announce this year’s recipient of the Manufacturer Appreciation Safety Award.
Manufacturer Appreciation Award – Justin Bergh, Imdex
As Sales Manager for Drilling Optimization at IMDEX, Justin has spent over 15 years driving technical innovation and championing safety-first solutions. From his early days as a lab assistant to his current leadership role, Justin has helped develop and refine technologies that enhance drilling performance while prioritizing worker safety. His expertise has played a key role in delivering global technical support, ensuring the quality control of products, and advancing drilling optimization in both established and emerging markets—including mining, exploration, water well, civil, and offshore geotechnical sectors.
At the 80th CDDA AGM and Convention, Justin shared his knowledge during a well-received technical session titled “Science Behind Drilling Fluids and the Importance of a Successful Drill Program.” His presentation explored the vital role drilling fluids play in:
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Maintaining hole stability
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Controlling subsurface pressure
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Removing cuttings
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Cooling and lubricating the drill bit
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Sealing permeable formations
He also highlighted the importance of tailoring drilling fluids to match lithology, and shared insights on new technologies in drilling optimization and their impact on operational efficiency and safety. As a long-standing contributor to IMDEX—one of this year’s Platinum Sponsors of the Convention—Justin exemplifies the spirit of innovation, safety, and leadership that the Manufacturer Safety Appreciation Award seeks to honour.
Congratulations, Justin, on this well-deserved recognition! Your dedication continues to elevate safety standards across the drilling industry.
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