Dave's specialties include design, operational optimization, and development of integrated closure plans for tailings disposal, heap leach and process fluid management systems, with operating designs that demonstrate significant reduction of potential closure liabilities. He has related experience in mine surface water management, including disposal of mine dewatering flows, process water pond safety, tailings supernatant water optimization, and recovery/re-treatment of mine tailings. He is adept at performing cost-benefit evaluations, using risk-based assessments, for operating process facilities as well as those requiring temporary or permanent closure. Dave joined SRK in 1978 and formed the O.F.S. Goldfields branch of SRK in 1980, where he remained for 10 years before moving to Nevada, USA. As a US and Global SRK Practice Leader, Dave has been involved in planning, design, permitting, construction, operation, and closure of mine surface facilities in the USA, Canada, Africa, South America, and Europe. Since stepping down from his Practice Leader role in 2015 (for health reasons), Dave remains highly involved in technical/administrative/project-management mentoring, internal empowerment principles, internal engineering and permitting quality management, design process procedures, and due diligence on tailings and water management projects.
