Our People

Andrew Vigar

• BAppSc (geol.) QUT 1977; MSc (incomplete) UQ, W.H. Bryan Mining Research Centre.
• FAusIMM
• Andrew has 26 years experience in the minerals industry, from regional exploration to mining but with an emphasis on evaluation and mine work. He has held senior positions with Emperor Gold, WMC, Costain Australia and CRA (Rio Tinto) prior to commencing full-time consulting in 1996. He has consulted to a large number of companies and projects. Prior to establishing Mining Associates in 2003, he spent 5 years with SRK Consulting, with an emphasis on technical Due Diligence for mergers, acquisitions and capital raisings. He was a Fellow and past national council member of the AusIMM and Chairman of the International Mine Geology 2000 and 2003 conference committees. He is the current chairman of the AusIMM Geoscience Task Force. He is the Principal of the highly successful Brisbane Mining Club.

Mark Noppe

• BSc (Geology; Chemistry), MSc (Exploration Geology), GradDip (Terrain Evaluation)
• MAusIMM (CPGeo)
• Since graduating as a geologist in 1983, Mark has worked for Anglo American in South Africa, and Snowden in WA and QLD in exploration, mining geology, QAQC of geology data, practical geostatistics, resource estimation, grade control, mine reconciliation, and professional training and mentoring. He has been consulting for the past 13 years and his technical experience covers a wide range of commodities, geological and mining settings. These include coal, gold, nickel laterite and sulphide, alluvial, eluvial and hard rock diamonds, base metals and industrial minerals. He has previously held positions as Chairman of the Southern Queensland branch of the AusIMM, and the Geostatistical Association of Australasia.

Stefan Mujdrica

• BAppSc (Applied Geology), MSc (Exploration Geology), MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer)
• MAusIMM (CPGeo)
• Stefan has over 20 years of mining industry experience, spanning exploration to mining positions in a number of managerial roles and locations. Before joining Mining Associates in October 2008 his role was Principal Consultant Geologist and General Manager of the Brisbane office for Snowden Mining Industry Consultants. His experience includes administrative/technical management, technical project management, resource estimation and technical reviews, geostatistics, 3D modelling, sampling theory and applications, resource and exploration associated with scoping/pre-feasibility/feasibility studies, risk assessment, database management, near/in mine exploration, exploration/mining software applications, project presentations, marketing, training of clients and colleagues, computer hardware systems and networks.

David Jones

• BSc University of Adelaide 1964, MSc 1974
• FAusIMM, FIMM, MSME, MGSA, JP
• David is a Senior Consultant and has 40 years experience in minerals with a focus on exploration and evaluation, former lecturer and Acting Head of the University of South Australia, School of Applied Geology, 21 years with Newmont Australia and Newcrest, including positions of Chief Geologist and Manager Strategic Planning.

Greg MacDonald

• BSc (Honours Geology) Carleton Uni 1977, Master Mineral & Energy Economics, Macquarie Uni 1986.
• MAusIMM
• 20+ years experience from exploration field work, through to financial analysis of mining/acquisition projects and corporate/administration activities. Employers ranged from government mines departments, international consultancy firm, stockbroker and listed explorers and miners.

Rob Sowerby

• B.App.Sci, M.Env.Eng., Griffith University, 2002.
• MAIG
• Rob is a Senior Consultant and has over 20 years experience in the minerals industry. He has diverse experience in Australian and International mineral exploration, detailed project generation, evaluations and assessments, in ore reserve compilation, and in stakeholder negotiations. He has specialist experience in uranium, precious and base metals, heavy and industrial minerals in the complete spectrum of geological environments. He has worked for a number of major minerals companies, including Mine Geologist at the Ranger mine in the NT and Senior Exploration geologist for North Limited in the NT, WA, SA, NSW and Qld. Major Projects included Yakabindie Nickel and Lake Cowal Gold.

Martin Recklies

• BAppSc (Geoscience) Queensland University of Technology 2006.
• Marty has several years’ experience in resource estimation using Surpac, Marty was involved in the design of the narrow vein modelling macro system and implementation at Tolukuma and Kainantu in Papua New Guinea. During the final 2 years of his degree, he worked part-time for Mining Associates and is now employed on a full-time basis in the position of Geologist.

Lindsay Smith

• BAppSc (Geoscience) Queensland University of Technology 2006.
• BInfoTech (Soft.Eng./DataComms) Queensland University of Technology 2006.
• Lindsay completed his degrees (Bachelor of Applied Science; Bachelor of Information Technology) in December 2006. During the final 2 years of his degree, he worked part-time for Mining Associates and is now employed on a full-time basis in the position of Geologist/Systems Administrator.

Roger Wills

• B.Sc.(App. Geol).Hons, Curtin University 1992.
• Roger has over 15 years of experience in the mineral resources industry since completing his degree with a specialization in regolith geochemistry as applied to gold exploration. He has worked as an exploration geologist for Mt Burgess Gold, Mt Isa Mines and Aberfoyle Resources. In 1999 he shifted his focus to groundwater and worked on groundwater modelling in the Pilbara Region.

Celeste Grobler (Van Wyngaard)

• B.Sc, Hons; University of Johannesburg, 2003.
• Mem GSSA, SACNASP, MAusIMM
• Celeste has a BSc Honours Geology degree. Celeste has 5 years experience in exploration and mining including most recently work as a Mine Geologist in open pit and underground environments. She is experienced with Gemcom software though training courses and work experience in operating mines in Africa. She is a member of the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA) and a Member of the South African Council of Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).

Jan Argarin

• B.Bus (ip); Swinburne University.
• Jan is the Business Manager at Mining Associates. She has been active in the Mining industry for the past 17 years. Jan worked with Chevron Petroluem for 10 years including 3 years in Papua New Guinea as Field Aviation Supervisor and also as Travel Coordinator and Human Resources Administrator in Brisbane and Cairns. She spent 3 years in the USA with Marriott Hotels in various Management roles before joining Mining Associates in 2003