Welcome to Drawpoint Consulting

What can Stephen bring?

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• 25 years in the evaluation, design and construction of high productivity block caving mines with Newcrest Mining and Rio Tinto.

• Experience in the application of option analysis, problem solving and data driven decision-making on many Feasibility & Pre-Feasibility Studies, including Australian and international block caving projects of greater than $800M capital expenditure.

• Studies into the potential application of block caving to early-stage exploration targets.

• Demonstrated execution of capital-intensive mining projects ranging from $50k to $20M. Management of contracts from the tendering stage through to site project management of contractor workforces.

• Management of R&D projects and cutting-edge innovative mining techniques, including preconditioning through hydraulic fracturing (Paper: https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2205_81).

• Concept studies and cost estimation of hydraulic fracturing for SLC and block caving mines.

• Independent technical review and advice through Drawpoint Consulting.

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Key achievements:

• Analysis of strategic options at Newcrest’s Cadia Valley Operations to maximise ventilation and minimise risk, while also maintaining full production for the next 20 years.

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• Conducted the mine design, scheduling and cost estimate for a new Decline from surface, taking into account safety, environmental and regulatory aspects. Led negotiations with the Mining Contractor for Decline scope and compiled formal contract. Obtained Executive approval to commence project execution.

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• Managed the novel application of hydraulic fracturing to an underground mining zone at Cadia East to minimise seismic risk. Innovations included the integration of oil & gas industry techniques. Contract management of 15 Contractors/Suppliers with a total of 140 personnel mobilised to site.

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• Led the analysis, optimisation and capital cost estimation of the underground infrastructure and mobile equipment options for both the Pre-Feasibility and Feasibility Studies for new block cave mines at Cadia Valley Operations. Scope included management of design consultants for the underground materials handling system (Jacobs) and simulation modelling of future production scenarios (Aurecon).

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• Responsible for the adaption of mining technology step changes across Newcrest, including related R&D projects. Worked with a variety of mining equipment suppliers, technology and innovation companies, Universities, and start-ups. Compiled roadmap for the R&D and implementation stages for robotic and autonomous equipment to improve personnel safety.

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• Successfully designed and delivered many km of underground tunnels at Cadia using contract mining workforce. Scope included establishment of two decline portals off an operating open pit & establishment of Sub Level Cave mining levels.

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• Analysed and formulated the dewatering strategy for the Cadia East mine for the future 15 years, with significant capital cost savings.

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• Management of research & development programs for shotcrete & high strength abrasion resistant concrete roadways. Stephen has authored many papers related to shotcrete applications in mining.

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