BACKGROUND:

Patrick Gorman is the Chairman of Independent Engineers Australia Pty Ltd (IEA), Managing Director of Puma Resources Limited a Private English Company, and a representative of Enthalpy Pty Limited an Australian Project Management firm delivering outcomes. Patrick is a chartered mining engineer and has twenty-eight years experience in the mining industry in all aspects of operations, development and consulting and is a project management specialist. 

His previous consulting experience has included working in Europe as the Trepca manager for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK); Vice President of Micon International Limited, a mineral industry consultants headquartered in Toronto, Canada;  Managing Director of Mineral Resources Development Limited and for Puma Resources Limited in the UK. In Chile, he was the Regional Managing Director for the Australian based Nedpac and Signet process engineering procurement and construction management companies.

Prior to becoming a consultant Patrick gained project development experience with Cluff Resources in Chile and Zimbabwe and with BHP. For BHP he was part of a small, experienced management and technical team, given the responsibility of completing the Feasibility Study for the Escondida Copper project from offices in San Francisco, USA and Antofagasta, Chile.  Prior to working for BHP, he worked for Anglo American Corporation on the applied research and development programme to mechanise the gold mines in the Welkom area of South Africa and in production at Western Deep Levels.

Patrick is experienced in project management, preparation of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies and due diligence studies for acquisition, financing and development decisions. He provides independent engineer reports for debt financing and competent or qualifying person’s reports for raising equity in major stockmarkets. He has successfully worked in company engineer roles in Kosovo, China and Russia overseeing privatisation, modernisation and restructuring efforts. He has experience of being a non-executive director on the boards of mining companies and is accustomed to reporting to boards of directors and assisting boards in making decisions. 

He is accustomed to working in culturally, commercially and linguistically challenging environments and is willing to travel and work offshore for required periods.  Patrick has a good working knowledge of Spanish and has had exposure to Russian and Mandarin.

QUALIFICATIONS:

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

PROFESSIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:

During his career Patrick has completed the following example assignments, usually performing in the role of project manager or as the mining engineer and/or overall evaluation analyst: 

As a Director of UK and Australian Independent Consulting Firms (2000-Current)

Management of the due diligence programme for MCK Mining of Canada on the Andacollo Gold Mine in Chile.

Technical risk assessment for a potential lender to the Las Cruces Copper (open pit - leach – SX-EW) project in Southern Spain.

Team leader for the due diligence study on the Chiatura Manganese complex in the Republic of Georgia.

IEA Project Manager and designated competent person to prepare NI-43-101 qualifying reports for Gold and Copper / Cobalt projects in Peru where Minera Colibri is a participant.

IEA team leader and mining engineer for the due diligence on the Voskhod Chromite deposit in Kazakhstan for a confidential international mining company.

Review of the resource potential of the Kumtor gold operation in The Kyrgyz Republic to assist in the valuation activities.

IEA team leader completing the due diligence audit and ongoing monitoring of development for an International Resource Bank on Kyrgyzaltyn JSC’s Makmal Gold operation and development plan.  

Team member for the report on Beowulf Gold plc’s Swedish exploration projects for the proposed LSE-AIM listing.

Coordinator of the three phase independent review of the Project 217 controlled by Jinshan Gold Mines which culminated in a preliminary assessment in accordance with NI-43-101. The project is located in Inner Mongolia and has the potential to be developed into a medium scale heap leach operation.

Project leader of the review report on Avocet Mining plc’s North Lanut gold project in Indonesia.

Joint Leader of Independent Engineers Australia (IEA) Due Diligence Team (with SKM (Europe) to prepare the independent engineer due diligence report on a large Greenfield, Aluminium Smelter project.  The proposed project uses Aluminium Pechiney’s, advanced AP50 technology and is to be located in the Republic of South Africa. If the project is financed a full Due Diligence is expected to be prepared for the arranger of the debt financing.

Prepared the project information document for approval by the Board of Moneo Metals Limited to attract an investor to participate in the Lateritic Nickel and Cobalt project in New Caledonia. In addition, Patrick completed peer reviews of reports presenting IEA’s independent opinion on the Moneo project and the Bankable Feasibility Study programme and budget.

Prepared development assessment reports on Tafuna Hills gold project in Zimbabwe and Sur Natron Sodium Sulphate project in Argentina for an Australian-Canadian venture capital firm.

IEA team leader of a due diligence review prepared for a confidential client on the Sekisovskoye Gold Project in Kazakhstan.

Advisor to a major gold company to prepare the Technical – Economic Models for 5 operating and developing gold mines in Russia.

Enthalpy team participant in the work to prepare, train and gestate the Capital Investment System for the Stanwell Corporation Limited, an Australian diversified Power Generator.

Project manager of the Puma Resources due diligence team working for the Canadian company involved in a JV with a Spanish Mining Contractor that assessed the Spanish assets of Navan plc including mines, concentrator, roaster, acid plant and exploration concessions.

Patrick completed a variety of confidential consulting assignments on gold, manganese, base metals and diamond projects and operations. These included the Remin (Romania), Anglesey plc (UK), Euromangan (Bulgaria), Alrosa (Russia) and others.

Patrick was a non-executive director of Zhayrem GOK, the privately owned Manganese producer where he worked in Almaty, the Minesite and other locations on a wide range of technical, commercial, financial and strategic areas aimed at modernising, expanding and diversifying the company. 

Patrick’s board experience also includes a short period as development director of AIM listed Cambridge Mineral Resources plc. He was initially responsible for establishing the Aracena office and planning the feasibility study programme for the Lomero-Poyatos Gold project in the Spanish pyrite belt prior to Newmont’s involvement.

One year assignment as the UNMIK appointed manager of the Trepca Pb-Zn-Ag assets located in Kosovo. Patrick was responsible for managing the company’s activities. Trepca under UNMIK Administration employed 2,000 Kosovars and had access to a budget of 5 Million Euros per year plus donor funds of between 5 to 10 Million Euros per year.  During the assignment period, an external consultant and an internal technical team established a full range of action plans to be completed and defined a series of business concepts aimed at redeveloping and commercialising core assets within the Trepca mining, concentrating, smelting/refining and fabrication business clusters. Patrick managed a team which commenced implementation of a series of pre-production and HSE programmes. He led a Trepca delegation to the PDAC in Toronto and a tour of relevant Canadian operations and commenced identifying and making presentations to prospective investors.

As Vice President of Micon (1995 to 2000) 

Patrick was the principal author of the qualifying person’s report under NI-4301 prepared for a bank mandated to handle the listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) of the assets of Ivernia West plc. 

Prepared an independent technical and valuation report on the Bula zinc-lead deposit in Ireland for the major creditor group to assist them to decide on whether to support the subsequent sale to Tara Mines.

Project Manager of the pre-feasibility study on the Storliden high-grade copper-zinc deposit in Northern Sweden. The development concept was for an underground mine, concentrator, port facility and associated infrastructure and services.  A conceptual study on the smaller Norrliden deposit was also prepared.

Completed a preliminary due diligence of Padaeng Industries in Thailand, an integrated zinc producer with exploration, mining, beneficiation, smelting and refining operations.

Participated in a technical-economic assessment of the Jiawula Lead/Zinc mine in Inner Mongolia, China. The purpose was to provide a financial institution with an independent due diligence report on re-opening and expanding the existing underground mine and flotation concentrator. 

Worked with Enthalpy Pty Limited, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on completing a due diligence review of the Cawse Nickel – Cobalt project in Western Australia and a preliminary independent engineer review of a confidential fully-integrated speciality metal project. 

Contracted as General Manager of ZincOx Resources B.V., a start-up mining company formed to develop zinc oxide orebodies and residues located in a number of countries. Achievements during the 2 year assignment included completion of a global resource review, a pre-feasibility study on the Jabali Deposit in Yemen, participation in the report describing the development plan for the Lanping project in the Yunnan province of Western China and preparing evaluation reports on 15 deposits and negotiations with the owners of 6 projects in diverse countries.  

Project Manager and Board Member of Bogosu Gold Limited (BGL), the owner of the Bogosu gold concession in Ghana.  The board position was as a representative of the shareholders (creditors) comprising a number of financial institutions. 

Project Manager of the four-year technical co-operation programme with Jiangxi Copper Company Limited for the Dexing and Yongping open pit copper mines located in Jiangxi Province, China.  The phase I programme in 1997/1998, required the Micon team to prepare an action plan and to report on the implementation of this plan. The scope of work included database auditing, resource modelling, reserve reporting, mine planning and scheduling, mine operating and capital cost estimates, production benchmarking, process review and optimisation and environmental review.  The team also assisted JCCL in selecting an integrated software system and improving mine operations and delivered short courses on modelling and mine planning. The phase II programme in 1999/2000 examined a number of key areas in detail and facilitated access for joint venture and technical exchange with “brotherly mines” through a tour of operations in South America. 

Member of the due diligence and monitoring team working on the Cerro Vanguardia open pit, CIL plant gold project in Patagonia, Argentina for the Chase Bank. 

Project Manager of the due diligence report prepared for the Royal Bank of Scotland on the Kasese Cobalt project in Uganda. Patrick then managed a two year programme commencing with the implementation of the remedial action plan and monitoring construction progress to physical completion. 

Project Manager of the technical due diligence reviews of the operating mines of Kazakhstan Goldfields and the Vasilkovskoye gold project in Kazakhstan.               

Project Manager to complete a capital cost audit for N.M. Rothschild and Sons Limited and IFC of Zoloto Mining’s Pokrovskoye open pit CIL plant gold project in Amur region of Far Eastern Russia.                                                                                

Project Manager for the preparation of computerised production models for all key RAO Norilsk Nickel operations and definition of the subsequent reserve and mining audit and benchmarking work. 

Project Manager of the due diligence review of the Lisheen zinc/lead project in Ireland for Barclays Capital/ABN Amro. Manager of the two year monitoring programme for the development of the 1.5 Mtpa underground mine, concentrator and surface facilities.

For the BZW, UBS, WBK consortium, Patrick was Project Manager of the geology, reserves and mining sections of the Competent Person’s report on KGHM copper operations in Poland which was utilised to achieve partial privatisation through listing on the Warsaw and London capital markets.

Prepared the independent technical appraisal report and site visits with investors on a gold project in Kamchatka, Russian Far East.  This was completed for a private Russian client who utilised the Micon report in a successful information memorandum prepared by N.M. Rothschild and Sons limited, which resulted in a joint venture agreement with a Western company. 

For the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), prepared the technical audit and development plan of the gold mines owned by JSC Buryatzoloto in Southern Siberia, Russia. Designated in January 1997 as the project manager of the three-year company engineer service to implement the development plan. 

Participated in the technical due diligence review for the Canadian stock underwriter of the projects owned by Indochina Goldfields in Myanmar (Monywa Copper) and in other Southeast Asian countries. 

Member of the team completing the quarterly construction monitoring visits to the Lihir Gold Project in Papua New Guinea, on behalf of the lender consortium. 

Prepared the conceptual study on methods and costs of underground mining of Iron - Nickel laterites in Western Albania. 

Participant in a confidential study of a major gold company for potential acquisition.  

Prepared the information memorandum and received prospective investors at the El Toqui zinc-lead project site in southern Chile and assisted in the analysis of offers and advising on the successful sale. 

Competent Person’s Report on the El Vale project, prepared in draft for the prospective lenders to Rio Narcea Gold Mines in Spain.  In addition, completed a review of the proposed mining contract, EPCM contract and development of the CarlJs deposit. 

Project Manager of the technical due diligence audit completed on the Tenke-Fungurume copper/cobalt project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on behalf of the consortium of lenders led by Investec of South Africa.  A draft report was completed and issued before activities were put on hold due to the security situation in the DRC. Prior to performing the independent engineer services, Patrick Gorman had managed completion of an Information Memorandum and completed a due diligence review for an financial institutions which supported the Eurocan fund raising activities to consummate the agreement with Gecamines to joint venture the Tenke-Fungurume project. 

Completed benchmarking reports on diamond mines in South Africa and Botswana. 

Prepared the evaluation reports and scoping studies on underground and open pit gold projects in Tanzania including Bulyanhulu and Buck Reef.  

As Managing Director of MRDL (1993 to 1995) 

Prepared the Information Memorandum and Terms of Reference for the international tender for the Konkola North copper project in Zambia, which was subsequently awarded to Avmin. 

Managed a scoping study for the Taror/Jilau gold deposits in Tajikistan. The project involved open pit and underground mining with ore treatment by CIP and Flotation/Biox or pressure oxidation plants.Completed a site visit report and supported the successful proposal to the World Bank to prepare the 10-year plan for the Jordanian Phosphate Mining Company.  

Provided support services for MRDL’s technical work on the World Bank sponsored programme to privatise ZCCM.

Assisted in preliminary reviews of the Almalyk copper and Zarmitan gold projects in Uzbekistan. 

Team leader for the feasibility study mine plan and cost estimate for a nickel laterite deposit in Venezuela. 

Technical due diligence study for N.M. Rothschild and Sons Limited, of an open pit, heap leach, solvent extraction and electrowinning copper project in Cyprus.  

Study Manager for the US$1 million full bankable feasibility study on a Zinc-Lead project in Cuba on behalf of a German-Italian-Canadian-Cuban consortium. 

Assisted in preparing an EPCM contract for Kenmare’s graphite project in Mozambique. 

As an Independent Consultant (1992 to 1993) 

Carried out country studies for Colombia and Argentina, a report on doing business in Chile and compiled data on Chilean mining projects and operations. He identified specific acquisition targets in Chile, Colombia and Argentina for a number of multinational companies. He also prepared an optimisation study on the operational viability of a gold heap leach project in Chile. 

For Signet (1991 to 1992), Patrick completed the following studies: 

Prepared a summary Pre-feasibility study on the Tuina 1,500 tpd copper heap leach-SX/EW project in northern Chile. 

Evaluated power generation alternatives for the Collahuasi copper project in northern Chile. 

Completed a technical audit and cost re-estimation of a feasibility study for a 3,000 tpd, open pit-concentrator at a copper project in Chile. 

Prepared specific review and acquisition studies on a number of copper and gold projects in Chile including Lobo, Marte, Amolanas and others. 

Prepared a pre-feasibility study comparing the use of open pit and underground mining methods at Zaldivar in Chile. 

Prepared a pre-feasibility study for the proposed 2,000 tpd gold flotation plant to be located at Choquelimpie in Chile to treat sulphide ore. 

For Nedpac (1990 to 1991), Patrick managed the completion of a 2.1 Mtpa gold heap leach project with a capital budget of US$27 million.  The scope included the EPCM lump sum contract for a carbon adsorption and 4t-elution facility.  Performed construction management activities of the process water pipeline, 40 km in length; the 3.8 MW diesel driven power station; the 2,000 square metres camp and office complex; the 14,000 cubic metre capacity ponds and 40,000 square metre area of leach pads lined with PVC and geotextile. 

For Cluff Minerals (1988 to 1989), Patrick held the position of Technical Director. His projects included: 

Preparation of the feasibility study for the development of a US$6 million, high grade, narrow vein gold project, located at 4,300 m in the high Andes mountain range of Chile.  

Preparation of the technical feasibility study of a US$3 million heap leach gold project in Spain. 

Preparation of the bankable feasibility study, key contract award, and project management activities for the US$16 million sulphide gold project in Zimbabwe with an initial design capacity of 55,000 oz Au/yr.  Negotiated and awarded to Nedpac, the A$11 million turnkey contract to build the 720,000 tpa CIP gold processing plant. 

At BHP (1981-1987), Patrick’s responsibilities included:  

The position of principal author, co-ordinator and editor of the Escondida project draft and final feasibility study; presenting thirty board level project presentations; co-ordinating technical audits by IFC, RTZ, Getty and others;  management of Socomine, the Escondida land, mineral and water rights holding company and the Escondida field operations.  Also prepared request for proposals (RFP's) for all major supplies, pre-mine stripping and service contracts envisioned for Escondida; designed and executed the ore reserve definition drilling program of 40,000 meters of diamond core drilling. In addition he was the co-ordinator of the block caving study and four open pit pre-feasibility alternatives for developing the orebody and designed, issued for bid, negotiated and managed the award of the US$5 million bulk sampling programme. 

The MSc research thesis at Colorado School of Mines (1979 to 1981) was on tunnel boring techniques and cutter designs for hard rock conditions.  He was also employed as a teaching assistant for mine management and mining courses and as a research assistant on private and public sponsored research assignments in rock cutting.  

For Anglo American Corporation of South Africa (AAC) (1977 to 1979), Patrick was involved in the overall planning and organisation of the research and development program to mechanise the deep level gold mines.  Responsibilities included technical liaison with manufacturers and productivity and budgetary control of continuous and cyclical development and stoping methods.  These included the Wirth and Subterranean tunnel borers, Ingersoll Rand and Robbins raise borers and a variety of jumbo drills, roof-bolters, trainloaders, waste stowers and reef corers. 

At Western Deep Levels Gold Mine in South Africa (1995 to 1997), he supervised and was responsible for the productivity and safety of day shift and night shift operations (longwall stoping and flat-end development).  He also gained experience in the installation and monitoring of the rockburst network, in mine planning, mine ventilation (refrigeration techniques) and in mining method feasibility studies.

PRESENTATIONS, PUBLICATIONS & PAPERS:

• “Investment Opportunities in Trepca Kosovo” Presentation at the Central European Initiative conference in Trieste, Italy 2001 and published in Focus on Kosovo (EU 2001) and the Mining Journal Magazine (2002)
   

• "An Overview of Risks in Investing in Mining Projects"

• "Host Countries and Investors - Reconciling Expectations"

• "Investment Standards For Mining Projects"

• "Investment and Supplier Opportunities in Latin American Mining"

• "A Review and Evaluation of the Costs of Exploration, Acquisition and Development of Copper and Gold Projects in Chile"

• "Recovery of Cyanide and Metals using Resins"

• "The Evaluation of the Escondida Deposit"

• "Improvement of Tunnel Boring Techniques in South African Hard Rock Conditions"

LANGUAGES

• English is native language
• Very good working knowledge of written and spoken Spanish
• Exposure to Russian and Mandarin

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