CONTACT INFORMATION:
View contact information...
Languages: English and Spanish (fluent – speak, read, write)
SUMMARY
I am a well-rounded Canadian mining engineer with over thirty years of international experience in operations, engineering, project and construction management, the last nineteen years at senior levels in mines and plants in South America. I have a strong background with multinational and national companies, and can provide the necessary blend of leadership, team development, technical and interpersonal skills to bring projects to a successful conclusion and to provide optimum operation, with ex-patriate or local or mixed staff.. My experience includes periods with international mining companies (Placer Dome, Asarco, Barrick) and international engineering/construction companies (Amec-Simons, Fluor Daniel, SNC-Lavalin).
EDUCATION:
Graduated Bachelor of Applied Science, Mining Engineering in 1977 from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada..
EXPERIENCE:
March 2007 to Present
Operations Manager, International Minerals Corporation. Responsible for all property acquisition, basic and detailed engineering design, construction and operation of a greenfield 800 tpd underground gold mine. Upon commissioning, this would be the first formal mining operation in the country. Responsible for updating the feasibility study according to dynamic in-country legislation and equipment and material market. Also responsible for pushing the Environmental Impact Study through various layers of Ecuadorian authorities in order to obtain the Environmental License. Planning of negotiation strategy with the Ecuadorian government for mining exploitation and an investment stability agreement, based on DCF model (thus the entire cost-benefit structure).
January to November2006
Vice President Engineering and General Manager, Vena Resources Inc. Directing grass roots exploration over a holding of 45,000 hectares, with prospects in uranium, zinc, gold and copper-molybdenum. Rehabilitation and resource definition of an inoperative zinc mine, proceeding to feasibility if warranted.
January 2004 to November 2005
Construction Manager, SNC Lavalin, Alto Chicama (Lagunas Norte) Project. Responsible for all aspects of construction management for a US$ 340 million green fields, isolated site gold mine and heap leach. Responsibilities included, but not limited to, assisting in preparation of the construction contracts, staffing and directing the construction management team and all construction activities, administration of construction and service contracts with a value of US$ 100 million, safety, health, and environment for a work force of 3,000 persons at peak, scheduling, material management, cost control, supervision of contractors camps. Special emphasis was placed on ensuring maximum contractor employment of local (from communities near the site) personnel where possible, as well as ensuring that contractor local payrolls were strictly honored. Brought project into operation ahead of schedule and on budget. Achieved 4.6 million man-hours without a lost time accident, and without a major environmental incident.
September 2001 to September 2003
Project Engineer, Fluor Daniel; Peru, Project Yanacocha. Responsible for scope, design, costs, planning and schedule for a wide variety of projects for South America's largest gold mine. Project budget for fiscal 2003 was US$ 158 million. The series of projects within the budget range from coordination of leach pad design to modifications of the downstream processes, including a new gold refinery (2002), mercury stabilization and disposal process (first in the world), acid water treatment plant, auxiliary ponds, lime bulk handling system, various pumping systems and environmental mitigation, particularly discharges from property. Responsible for directing engineering, which was performed in the local wet season, and supervision of construction performed in local dry season. Significant emphasis and effort went into environmental remediation projects, given the politically charged atmosphere surrounding the Yanacocha operations. Administered over USD 40 million worth of construction contracts in a single season.
April 2000 to December 2000
Projects Manager for Volcan Compañía Minera SAA, the world's fourth largest zinc producer. Managing a US$ 50 million suite of projects for a primarily underground producer, including metallurgical investigation, plant expansions, new tailings impoundments, shaft upgrades and modernization, and environmental projects. Activities ranged from conceptualization through basic and detailed engineering, feasibility, and construction. Prepared project AFE's for Board approval.
January 2000 to April 2000
Fluor Daniel (Peru). Wrote and negotiated a long term (10 year) Over The Fence Oxygen Supply Contract between the Client (Doe Run Peru) and the selected major supplier (based in Brazil). Created the documents required and directed the negotiation meetings with the supplier, on behalf of the Owner, resulting in a mutually acceptable contract. The supplier undertook to operate an oxygen plant on the client's La Oroya Metallurgical Complex site in Peru. Also wrote preliminary contract scopes of work for specific environmental projects associated with an old polimetallic metallurgical complex.
January 1999 to December 1999:
General Manager (Peru) for Henry Walker Eltin, one of the world's largest mining and civil contractors. Responsible for market entry business development, a challenge in a recessed economy. Made the company known throughout the country. Prepared estimates for mining services for contractor bids.
June 1997 to December 1998:
Contracted as Engineering and Contracts Manager for H.A. Simons Ltd. for the production expansion of the Refinería de Cajamarquilla from 100,000 TPA to 120,000 TPA of zinc metal. Responsible for preparation and administration of all contracts with national contractors, construction engineering and client liaison, and field supervision of special installations. Acted for the Construction Manager in his absence. Executed significant field engineering, trouble shooting and solution implementation during commissioning and start up. Project completed on time and significantly (20%) under budget. Also contributed to Business Development for HA Simons in Peru.
April 1995 to June 1997:
Private consultant to the Peruvian mining industry, owner/manager of GRAMINES SRLtda., providing studies and services to the Peruvian Mining Industry, specializing in mine planning and small projects.
May 1994 to March 1995:
Investment Engineer, Southern Peru Copper Corporation, Toquepala, Peru. Responsible for coordinating, analyzing and recommending capital investments to Senior Management. All proposals were subject to economic analysis and ranking by the Investment Engineer. The specific programs involved the investment of over $100 million in new equipment and technology for improved operations and environmental control, and $20.2 million for the Ilo Copper Refinery after acquisition. Prepared reports to Management and the Peruvian Government on the status and progress of the programs.
November 1989 to May 1994:
Area Engineer, Southern Peru Copper Corporation, Toquepala, Peru. This position was equivalent to Chief Engineer for the Toquepala area. The Senior Mine Engineer and the Senior Plant Engineer reported to the Area Engineer, who reported to the Corporate Chief Engineer. The Area Engineer was responsible for all mine, civil and mechanical construction engineering. As well, the Area Engineer was responsible for capital projects in his Area, from concept to design through to procurement, construction and implementation. Projects ranged in value from $15,000 to $3,000,000. During my tenure, introduced computerized mine planning and AUTOCAD for Plant Engineering. The position of Area Engineer disappeared due to a reorganization of the Engineering Division.
View contact information... |