Greater Hobart Area
I am a specialist structural geologist with high-level skills in interpreting and modelling the architecture of complex mineralised systems. I then apply the results to mining and exploration problems. Working with GeoDiscovery provides the opportunity to integrate geophysical and geological modelling to generate accurate litho-structural models of complex deep mining environments, inform near-mine exploration, and to explore under deep cover. I mostly use the mining and structural geological applications of Leapfrog Geo software. Expert in the geology of Broken Hill Type (BHT) Ag Pb Zn mineralised systems. Thesis: https://eprints.utas.edu.au/22134/ Monograph published by CODES as "The Geology of the Broken Hill Pb-Zn-Ag Deposit, NSW, Australia" ISBN 1-86295-353-8: http://www.utas.edu.au/codes/publications/publications-for-sale Urban Geology. My second book, "The Foundation of Australia’s Capital Cities: Geology, Landscape, and Urban Character", was published by Rowman and Littlefield (Lexington Books) in March 2022. Link to my recent Geohug presentation about some geological and landscape influences on Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide. This talk is about the role that the geology and landscape played in the foundational years of three state capitals; Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, and how they influenced the earliest land-use choices made as the British adapted to their new Australian environments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpXR5YHqg1Y The following link is to a presentation I gave to a joint meeting of the Royal Society of Tasmania and the Geological Society of Australia. It covers some of the material from my recently published book. https://lnkd.in/d53SbDmP About the talk: Geology, landscape and European settlement: small things meant a lot Historical accounts of the first European responses to Australian landscapes rarely mention the ways that their decisions were influenced by the terrain. This talk is about the role that geology and landscape played in the choice of the site of Hobart and how it influenced the evolution of the CBD. It is shown that despite the intensity of two centuries of urban development and landscape modification, the effects of the original landforms remain deeply embedded in the modern urban landscapes.
Specialist mining and exploration structural geologist. Long term mining structural geology input to one of the world's largest porphyry Cu block caving feasibility studies. Various regional structural projects (Newfoundland, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mali, the Philippines, Australia) involving the integration and interpretation of regional geophysical data sets modelled and reprocessed by my colleagues, and the generation of structural models and exploration targets after integration with available geological data. Developed methodologies to inform the planning and interpretation of a pioneering hard-rock 3D seismic survey in a multiply-deformed and metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary sequence surrounding the Cannington (BHT) Ag Pb Zn orebody. - I increased understanding of the complex litho-structural environment of the deposit - Led to the generation of new exploration targets. -D1 nappes and basal thrusts, analogous to those seen in the orebody, were identified in the regional host-sequence for the first time. Litho-structural interpretation and modelling of the Pegmont Ag Pb deposit (for South32) Recent field trips organised - lead or co-lead: - Sullivans Cove Historic Coastline and Pub traverse for AIG. - Co-lead of a geo-heritage tour of 'The Rocks' in Sydney for SMEDG. - Cygnet Area Field Trip co-led with John Bishop (for AIG April 2022) - Sullivan's Cove (Hobart) Original Coastline (for AIG April 2021) - Historic Surface Features (and some geology) of the Zeehan Ag Pb (Sn) Mineral Field (for AIG Dec 2020 and a revised version Dec 2023)
Joined forces with GeoDiscovery Group in July 2019. Using the extensive legacy drilling and geophysical data sets held by South32, modelled the litho-structural architecture of the Cannington Mine region to assess the near-mine exploration potential. This model informed the design and interpretation of a 2D seismic data acquisition programme. The results provided the framework for planning and interpreting a subsequent 3D seismic survey. Developed a structural model of the underground Cannington Ag-Pb-Zn mine (South32 Ltd) without the aid of significant orientated drill core, or an existing structural database. The model is now being used routinely by the geology, geotechnical and mine planning teams. 3D structural model of a proposed longwall coal mine in the Illawarra Coal Measures. Structural controls on high grade quartz reef-hosted Au mineralisation, Wiluna. Review of Li deposit, SE Mongolia.
Projects: Regional litho-structural synthesis of the Zeehan Ag-Pb-Sn field in western Tasmania. Litho-structural controls and deformation history of some historically important ore deposits. Speaker at the CODES/ES Garry Davidson Symposium 'Broken Hill Type Deposits: A Litho-structural Perspective' Sessional Lecturing, KNE372, Mining Methods UTAS School of Engineering Supervision PhD project (UQ) 2018: Natural caving systems as potential analogues to mining induced caving. Honours project supervision (UTAS) 2016: Study of the geological environment of the Carbonate Ridge Mineralisation, Broken Hill. PhD Project (UTAS) 2013 Structural evolution and genesis of the Savage River magnetite deposits. Applying structural geology and ore texture/mineral paragenesis to increase understanding of the genesis and wall stability issues.
Teaching and managing field-based training courses for university students and industry. Mentoring and support for working geoscientists undertaking postgraduate studies. As manager of the postgraduate Master of Economic Geology programme, I built it from 12 active students (2006) to well over 50 in 2011. It became a vibrant part of the great teaching provided by CODES and the Earth Sciences teaching discipline. I am proud of the contribution I made to the dissemination of cutting-edge economic geoscientific research to the industry. I was academic leader of two of the key courses in the programme: 'Ore Deposit Models and Exploration Strategies', and 'Exploration in Brownfields Terrains'. It was remarkable to work with so many highly skilled and motivated geo’s. Any employer is lucky if it has professionals like the geoscientists that undertake this course. From 2007 to 2011, Andrew McNeill and I ran the MTEC-sponsored Honours Exploration Skills Mapping course. The popularity increased to such an extent in this period that it was run twice in 2011 and 2012. I like to count this as another key achievement of my time with CODES/ES. Running field courses with fourth year geoscientists is a pleasure. It is the university year when they stop being students and truly become geo’s. Financial management of the Masters programme was a key element of my role because it is an independent, self-funding business unit within CODES. I left it in a strong financial state; particularly because of the MCA funding (covered less than half of my salary and course costs) but also because of the careful management of short-course income. The Masters programme never drew on Centre of Excellence funds and actually contributed income to the School.
Applied the work we did on the Geology and Mass Mining Project (GMM) to full use with GeoDiscovery, on one of the largest block caving feasibility studies being undertaken in the world at the time. The practical applications of the research proved that geology (and geophysics) does matter in cave mining, from surface mine infrastructure placement, to the likely influences of ore system and nearby wall rock geology behaviour on the cave propagation and breakthrough. The 'natural caves' project. I acted as Primary Supervisor for Matthias Klawitter's PhD research studt, which compared natural subsidence structures with mine caving systems to better-understand the geological influences on caving. Matthias gained his PhD in December 2018. Developed the 'Total Deposit Knowledge' (TDK) module of the Caving 2040 Project.
Lead for the Geology and Mass Mining Project - putting the 'geology' into planning for large-scale deep earth mining. Identified the geoscientific inputs required for the planning, design and operation of cave mines in complex litho-structural environments. Remote structural mapping, data generation and analysis for the design and geotechnical management of large open pits - particularly the applications of 3D photogrammetric and laser scan imagery. http://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/3085
Long-term consulting project role.