INTRODUCTION
A professional mining engineer with 15+ years of experience, I possess a diverse skill set honed through various roles and responsibilities. My career has focused on open pit hard rock mining, with expertise in base, precious, and specialty metals. My recent tenure in open cut coal mining has broadened my skill set and adaptability.
I have consistently upheld high professional standards by delivering quality results and collaborating effectively with both technical and production teams. My approachable personality and strong work ethic make me a valuable asset in remote mining environments.
At Whitehaven Coal, I optimised blast performance and drove environmental priorities by developing innovative design techniques that improved outcomes by over 10%. My consistent performance and collaborative approach have earned recognition from senior technical and production leaders.
Now, after serving as the sole Drill and Blast Engineer at Tarrawonga's technical services department, I am seeking new challenges to leverage my expertise and drive high-performance blasting in a dynamic team.
WORK HISTORY
Whitehaven Coal Ltd.
Tarrawonga Mine, Vickery Extension Project – Open pit coal, strip mine
Drill and Blast Engineer (FTE) | Mar 2022 - Mar 2025
Key Responsibilities
- Designed drill patterns, loading and tie-up plans; ensured compliance via auditing and data management.
- Created blast and lightning clearance maps; prepared comprehensive job packs.
- Collaborated with production, planning, survey, geology, geotechnical, and environmental teams.
- Managed quality control of planning designs, drilling, and loading operations.
- Handled short-term scheduling and periodic reporting.
Achievements
- Delivered timely blast designs, reducing downtime significantly.
- Developed innovative design techniques that improved outcomes by over 10%.
- Streamlined processes to prevent production delays.
Mount Gibson Iron Limited Ltd.
Koolan Island Operation, WA – Open pit high grade iron ore mine
Drill and Blast Engineer (Contract) | Sep 2021 - Nov 2021
Key Responsibilities
- Designed daily blast patterns to meet production targets.
- Provided support to mine planning including reporting, design, and presentation of daily mine plans.
Achievements
- Successfully delivered all blast designs on time and to specification.
Newmont Boddington Gold Pty Ltd.
Boddington Gold Operation, WA – Open pit gold mine
Mine Planning Engineer (Contract) | Mar 2021 - Aug 2021
Key Responsibilities
- Generated daily mine plans and presented them to key stakeholders.
- Collaborated with dispatch operations using Terrain and Jigsaw fleet management systems for stockpile and turnover data management.
- Contributed to developing road and pit design procedures for autonomous mining implementation.
Achievements
- Achieved proficiency in Mineplan, enabling effective contributions to pit designs.
- Gained proficiency in Jigsaw/Terrain/Minestar for efficient stockpile management.
First Quantum Minerals Ltd.
Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation, WA – Open pit Nickel mine
Senior Mine Planning Engineer (Contract) | Jul 2020 - Feb 2021
Key Responsibilities
- Oversaw all aspects of mine planning for the pit, ensuring optimal resource extraction.
- Created and presented fortnightly schedules to key stakeholders.
- Developed blast-master designs to optimise pit production and minimise bottlenecks.
- Provided technical expertise in drill and blast design; reviewed and approved blast designs.
- Served as the primary contact for contractors, resolving issues and ensuring schedule adherence.
Achievements
- Quickly mastered Deswik software for efficient pit design and scheduling.
- Mentored junior engineers, enhancing overall team capability.
Galaxy Lithium Australia
Mt. Cattlin Pit, WA – Open pit lithium mine
Mine Planning Engineer (Contract) | May 2019 - Dec 2019
Key Responsibilities
- Focused on optimising short-term mine planning and scheduling; developed and presented work plans to pit supervisors.
- Collaborated with technical and production teams to enhance resource extraction and scheduling.
Achievements
- Improved scheduling and presentation processes, enhancing workflow efficiency.
- Provided technical support that led to optimised blasting outcomes.
Advanced Mining Production Systems
Mining Engineer (Contract)
| Jan 2019 - Mar 2019
This short-term role involved contracting for a mining engineering position at Dalgaranga Gold.
Key Contributions
- Developed an automated payroll system using VBA to replace a manual Excel process.
- Created an in-office media system using Python on Linux.
Piacentini & Son
Truck Driver (Caterpillar 777)
| Nov 2017 - Mar 2018
This role was undertaken to fulfill practical experience requirements for Quarry Manager Certification.
Greater Ravensthorpe Engineering Services
Owner/Consultant - Home-Based Business
| Jan 2015 - Feb 2018
Collaborated with a team of engineering freelancers, contributing to a variety of projects.
Ravey I.T. Services
Owner/Consultant - Home-Based Business (Computer Repair, Web-Based Coding & Online Business Support Services)
| Nov 2013 - Jun 2017
Founded and managed a home-based business during a downturn in the mining industry, gaining skills in customer service, project management, and financial responsibility.
Galaxy Resources
Mt. Cattlin Pit, WA – Open pit lithium mine
Mining Engineer (FTE) | Jul 2010 - Mar 2013
Key Responsibilities
- Oversaw pit planning and collaborated with technical and production teams to identify and resolve bottlenecks.
- Developed short-term schedules and work plans for pit supervisors.
- Designed computer models for pit infrastructure and prepared associated work plans.
- Supervised production activities, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
- Conducted technical assessments to optimise stockpile orientation and mitigate environmental impact.
- Managed operational data to support effective planning and decision-making.
- Prepared regular progress reports and maintained daily/weekly reports and risk assessments.
Achievements
- Spearheaded the site's initial expansion phase, ensuring sustained peak production until care and maintenance.
- Conducted a comprehensive historical data analysis to optimise blast patterns, resulting in up to 9% improvement in mining rates.
- Developed optimised stockpile and waste dump management strategies with reduced environmental impact.
- Passed the rigorous Western Australian Quarry Manager's Exam.
Oz Minerals
Century Pit, QLD – Shot design and supervision
Drill and Blast Engineer (FTE) | Jul 2007 - Mar 2009
Key Responsibilities
- Oversaw drill and blast operations ensuring safety and efficiency.
- Collaborated with production and survey teams to optimise blasting outcomes.
- Managed drill pattern design, risk compliance, and data management.
- Produced lightning clearance maps and notifications.
Achievements
- Spent 16 weeks integrated with an Orica blast production crew.
- Gained hands-on experience with Orica products and procedures.
- Completed up to 5 drill patterns per day consistently.
Zinifex
Century Pit, QLD – Open pit lead/zinc mine
Graduate Mining Engineer (FTE) | Nov 2005 - Mar 2007
Key Responsibilities
- Developed short-term plans and schedules for a large mining fleet.
- Generated daily/weekly reports and designed preliminary layouts for roads, dumps, and stockpiles.
- Supervised production and provided instructions to work crews.
Achievements
- Managed planning and scheduling independently during peak production.
- Implemented QA principles to prevent significant operational incidents.