President Sonal Mining Technology Inc. an independent company providing technical advice to underground projects and operations.
Formerly, General Manager (Underground Technology) in Rio Tinto’s Copper and Diamond Group. Currently on secondment to Freeport’s Grasberg Operations in Indonesia. The role had a dual function; first and foremost is a Technical Advisor on the underground operations. Secondly, as Rio’s site representative with the over-arching objective of value protection and enhancement for the various projects. Involved in technical aspects of the DOZ panel cave the Big Gossan open stoping operation and the development on the DMLZ and GBC panel caves. This complex of mines is scheduled to produce 240,000tpd and is currently the largest underground mining in the world. Prior to this assignment held various positions within Rio Tinto’s Copper and Technology Groups with a specific focus on underground mining and cave engineering. These assignments included two tours in head office in London.
Upon graduation from the University of Strathclyde, joined Goldfields of South Africa working in deep gold mines and open pit tin mining. After a brief sojourn in civil construction in the UK, returned to South Africa and joined the consulting company, SRK where was involved in aspects of pit slope and underground design. Joined Golder Associates in 1984 providing consulting services to major mining companies, including Inco, Cominco, Placer Dome, Barrick, HBMS and Cogema.
In 1999 took up a position with Rio’s Technology Group, specialising in cave design and management, transferring to the Copper Group in 2007. In 2011 transferred to Underground Technology Centre as general manager looking after a number of aspects including technical facets of Rio Tinto’s relationship with Grasberg and Codelco. In 2013 this team was integrated into the Copper Group and was seconded as a Technical Advisor to Freeport’s Grasberg operations.