CONTACT INFORMATION:
C.Eng., MIMMM, MAusIMM, MCSM
NATIONALITY: British / Australian
PERSONAL: DOB 2nd June 1959, Married, 2 children
EDUCATION: University of Hull, UK (1980): Bachelor of Science (Hons 2.1) Geology
Camborne School of Mines (1984): Master of Science (Dist.) Mining Geology
Blasting licence (1985) – Republic of Zambia
Private pilot's licence
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
C. Eng., Engineering Council, UK
Member, Institute of Materials, Mining & Metallurgy, London
Member, International Society of Rock Mechanics
Member, AusIMM
Member, Australian Geomechanics Society
EXPERTISE
* Project reviews, feasibility studies, mine operations
* Specialist in mining rock mechanics and mine design
* Audits / reviews of mine technical functions
EXPERIENCE
2007 to date: Chief Operating Officer, MBC Resources, Russia
Responsible for the technical development of two major zinc deposits in Buryatia, Russia, one of which (Ozernoe) is subject to a Joint Venture with Lundin Mining. Both projects subject to feasibility studies, in different stages. Responsible for managing MBC's interests in the JV, directing the pre-feasibility study into the Kholodninskoye project, and providing general technical support.
Member Board of Directors, Ozerniy GOK (Lundin Joint Venture).
Promotion of MBC Resources to international investors, advisors etc.
Providing technical advice and review of other minerals interests / acquisition targets, both in Russia and internationally.
1994 to 2007: Director, Principal Geotechnical Engineer – AMC Consultants (UK) Limited
Played a major role in developing AMC's European business, led small project teams on a range of client projects, and continued to specialise as a mining rock mechanics engineer for a range of clients.
Selected major projects / clients:
- Regular member of Rio Tinto Technical Evaluation Group review teams on feasibility studies and operations for caving projects, including Resolution Copper Mine (Conceptual studies), Northparkes (E26 both lifts, E48; numerous studies), Argyle Diamond Mine (numerous studies PFS, FS), Grasberg and Kucing Liar (Freeport) (various stages PFS, FS), Palabora (detailed engineering, undercut design), Bingham Canyon underground (Kennecott Copper) (PFS, FS), Diavik diamond operations (FS into underground mining).
- BHP Billiton - Ekati Panda Project, NWT Canada – Independent Peer Review of BHPBD Feasibility Study into underground mining of diamond kimberlite pipes. Also Cannington, Australia – Feasibility Study, then regular mine design reviews and technical guidance, mentoring etc, and audits of Technical Services Dept.,.
- Newcrest Mining NL – Telfer Deeps Sub-Level Cave – Review of SLC layouts, extraction sequencing, etc, and rock mechanics and mine design site reviews and advice. Also Ridgeway Gold Mine - geomechanics co-ordinator for sub-level cave Feasibility Study (1999), and thereafter ongoing review role for rock mechanics, construction, and design of SLC operation; also comparison of actual design and operations performance against Feasibility Study estimates. Cadia East – block cave analyses, concept studies, etc.
- Xstrata, Mount Isa Mines, Deep Copper – Review of rock mechanics and mine design for large three-dimensional Northern 3500 orebody, under elevated stresses. Advice on stress analysis, monitoring programmes, and project management. Also, routine reviews, rock mechanics audits into deep high stress mining, and staff mentoring.
- Rio Narcea Gold Mines SA, Spain – Evaluation and Feasibility Study into underground mining of Boinas Este and Carles narrow vein gold deposits. Operational support of developing cut & fill operation, and Ground Control training for RNGM and Mine Contractor staff. On-going technical support to the operations. Also, Aquablanca Nickel Mine – underground studies, rock mechanics, training, project management.
- Rio Narcea SA, Spain – Due diligence review of iron ore operations in Mauritania.
- Tara Mines Limited, Ireland – Substantive independent geotechnical and hydrological investigation into mining proposals for the Nevinstown (Bula) orebody, Navan, as input to Planning Applications and Approvals. Ongoing reviews of plans, operations, and risk assessments. Rock mechanics advice into new deep SWEX orebodies, and further Planning Applications. Raisebored shafts stability analyses and design. Stress measurements etc. Mining and geomechanics assessment for Planning Application for Liscarton and Rathaldron orebodes at Tara.
- New Gold Inc., Afton Gold Mine, British Columbia – Geotechnical manager for feasibility study into brownfield copper-gold block cave operation, in conjunction with Hatch Consultants.
- Leviev Group, various gold projects, Far Eastern Siberia – peer reviews of due diligence studies, client and joint venture liaison, project planning.
- Ormonde Mining plc, La Zarza Gold Mine, Spain – Feasibility Study, geotechnical engineering, client liaison, project management.
- Anglo Base Metals, Lisheen Mine, Ireland - Geotechnical reviews and mine designs for complex areas of Derryville and Main South orebodies. Life-of-Mine geomechanics and backfill review, and backfill studies. Regional stability assessment and mine design for new Bog Zone. Ongoing technical reviews and support to geomechanics and mining teams. Detailed retrospective investigation into major mine water inflows and consequent delays in decline advance.
- Inmet Mining Corp, Pyhäsalmi Mine, Finland – Rock mechanics audits, high stress / seismic analysis, staff mentoring.
- IFC Metropol, Ozernoe and Kholodnenskoye projects, Russia - Pre-Feasibility studies, miscellaneous technical input and reviews.
- Belvedere Resources, Finland – Project reviews and joint-author for Qualified Persons resources report for 43-101 requirements.
- Kluchevskoye Gold Mine, Chita, Russia – Due diligence review; pre-feasibility study; project development.
- Trans-Siberian Gold Ltd, Kamchatka, Russia - Feasibility Study into narrow vein gold deposit amenable to open pit and underground mining.
- Greenwich Resources, Sappes / Viper, Greece - Feasibility Study geomechanics, incl. ground conditions assessments, geotechnical modelling, mining method design, mine infrastructure design, dilution assessment, ground control design etc.
- North Atlantic Natural Resources AB, Storliden Project, Sweden – Review of Pre-Feasibility Study, investigation of conceptual mining methods, definition of geotechnical work programme, Geotechnical Report for mining contract tender, mining method design.
- Deutsche Bank AG, TVX Hellas Due Diligence, Greece - Geotechnical and mining review of Feasibility Study, and on-going Independent Engineers role, for the Olympias, Madem Lakos, and Matres Petres cut and fill operations in Greece.
- Hartley Platinum (BHP Minerals) – Fatal accident investigations, and comprehensive Ground Control audit.
- WMC Resources Ltd, Perseverance Mine, Australia – Strategic mining reviews; SLC design; detailed block caving evaluation (PFS); squeezing rock support & reinforcement design and performance monitoring; high stress yielding pillar design; stress measurements. Olympic Dam Operations – Rock mechanics; review of Expansion Feasibility Study; analysis of high stress spalling in development; stress measurements; stope performance reviews and interpretation; advice on large-scale mining issues.
- McArthur River (MIM Holdings Ltd) – Update of Feasibility Study room & pillar design and extraction strategy; ground behaviour monitoring; operational rock mechanics advice; ground support design; definition of geotechnical logging systems.
Also specialised in provision of training in rockfall hazards and ground control to mine operating personnel, and short courses in mining rock mechanics to mine technical staff.
1992 to 1994 Mining Research Manager – Mount Isa Mines Ltd (now Xstrata)
Led the Mining Research group, recognised for many years as an important contributor in geomechanics research and development in underground mining. The group comprised ten specialists in mining geomechanics, with technical support, and encompassed rock mechanics, rock breaking technologies, and backfill. Group responsibilities included daily operational engineering support to the four local mines, input to other MIM operations, and conducting R&D into fundamental aspects of geomechanics, with a strong focus on improving the cost performance and viability of MIM's operations.
1988 to 1992 Senior Rock Mechanics Engineer, Mining Research, Mount Isa Mines
1984 to 1988 ZCCM Ltd, Zambia
Range of operational roles, including Production and Dewatering Geologist, Geotechnical Geologist, and Senior Geologist Geotechnics and Dewatering at the following operations; Chambishi Mine (sub-level open stoping and sub-level caving) and Nchanga Mine (block caving).
1983 University of Hull
Geology Department Research Assistant. Development of procedures for road aggregate testing and similar, for Industrial Mineralogy M.Sc., as precursor to M.Sc. at Camborne School of Mines.
1980 to 1982 ZCCM Ltd, Zambia
Resident Geologist at the Kansanshi Mine in NW Zambia, a small open pit copper operation near Zaire. Responsible for grade control, production forecasts and reconciliations, bench design, on-site exploration programme, acting Mine Surveyor, etc.
CPD
- Acceptable Risks and Practical Decisions in Rock Engineering. Dr. Evert Hoek, CMTE, Australia, 1994.
- Probability Analysis in Geotechnical Design. Australian Centre for Geomechanics. 1995.
- Evaluating Risk in Mine Planning. Workshop contributor and participant. IRR Conferences. Perth, Australia, 1997.
- Technical Appraisal and Financial Modelling of Mineral Projects. Imperial College, London. 2003.
- Cut-Off Grade and Optimisation. Accredited course, AMC Consultants, 2005.
- Project Evaluation. Accredited course, AMC Consultants, 2007.
REFERENCES
References can be provided on request.
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