Biography
Dipl. Geological Engineering, Sault College, Canada
B.S., Geology, Lake Superior State University, United States
M.Sc., Geology, University of Ottawa, Canada
Ph.D., Environmental and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo, Canada
I think my first inkling of the possibility of a mineral career was formulated during my
summers at the family cottage in Haliburton. I would smash away at highway road-cuts
with my father's best claw hammer. My prized collection of old drill bits, quartz crystals
and scars served as my toolbox for the future.
My first mineral job was with the Ontario Geologic Survey, mapping in Northern Ontario
where the Musselwhite Mine operates today. I spent 5 summers working for the OGS of
which three were in the historic Cobalt Silver Camp. I moved on to mining operations in
the southeast coalfields around Sparwood then on to Tumbler Ridge at Teck’s Bullmoose
Mine.
I was transferred to Teck’s Vancouver Office to help with the evaluation of new projects.
From this point on, my career has consisted of an endless stream of site visits, project
evaluations, feasibility studies and air mile points. I think I have learned the evacuation
procedures from most commercial aircraft in at least a dozen languages…..
Seriously, over the past 22 years, I have traveled and reviewed projects in over 150
countries and have seen the good, bad and ugly of mine development and operation. The
most consistent factor in mine development is its people, both internal and external.
Mines can be designed, builded and operated in harmony with the local community,
providing them with the opportunity to pursue sustainable communities and livelihoods.
This belief forms the basis of my research interests; sustainable mining and mine design from the project feasibility stage. Such sustainability is as much a mindset as it is
constructed out of steel and concrete. Social license, Environmental Assessment and
Legally Mandated agreements are there to serve engineers and to provide them with the
opportunity to contribute to society in a positive way.
Research Interests
- Mine Economics
- Mine Design
- Mine Waste Management
- Resilient Mine Communities
Biography |
