Mike O’Brien – Principal Consultant
Mike is an independent Geoscience professional with decades of experience in 3D Geological Modelling, Mineral Resource Estimation and problem-solving.
For more than 38 years he has been making a difference to Mineral Resources and mines. On the technical front, he has extensive experience in Mineral Resource estimation and geological modelling. He has managed technical teams to achieve results in mining companies and in consultancies.
While the majority of his experience has been in gold deposits, he has expertise in the uranium, base metals and multi-product environment.
A qualified geologist and geostatistician, he has been a team member and reviewer of due diligence and feasibility exercises in South Africa, Brazil, Ghana, Namibia, the DRC, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Colombia, Peru and the United States.
His areas of specialization include Mineral Resource estimation, geostatistics, Mineral Resource classification, and Mineral Resource reporting codes, e.g. SAMREC, JORC.
As Director and Principal Consultant of Red Pennant Geoscience, he writes the Red Pennant Geoscience Blog.
“I aim to bring new insights and new practical applications of best-of-breed solutions to problems and enhance opportunities in a challenging era for mineral resources and mines.”
Mike O’Brien, P.Geo.
Contact
mike.obrien@rpgeoscience.com
Mobile (604) 652 3781
Skype: mike.mob
Professional record
- Red Pennant Communications Corp.
Principal Consultant & Director – Geoscience Division
April 2019 to present - Minerva Intelligence Inc., Vancouver, BC
Technical Advisor – Mineral Resources and Spatial Statistics
Oct. 2020 to Dec. 2022 - Ausenco
Technical Director, Geology & Resources
May 2018 – April 2019 - Seequent
Senior Principal Consultant
Nov 2014 – Apr 2018 - AMEC
Principal Technical Specialist
Oct 2013 – Nov 2014 - Tetra Tech Inc., Mining & Minerals
Chief Geologist
Jun 2011 – Oct 2013 - AngloGold Ashanti
Manager: Mineral Resources & Mine Geology
Nov 1998 – Jun 2011
Technical leader for Resource Estimation and Mine Geology, initially in South Africa, and at various times in Ghana, Australia and North & South America. Due diligence and M&A team technical member and reviewer. - Anglo American (Ore Evaluation Department)
Divisional Ore Evaluation Analyst
Oct 1991 – 1998 - Anglo American Corp.
Resident Geologist
1990 – 1991
President Brand Gold Mining Company, Welkom - Anglo American Corp.
Technical Assistant
Company Name Anglo American Corporation
1988 – 1990 - Vaal Reefs Exploration & Mining
Section Geologist
1986 – 1988
Licenses & Certifications
- P.Geo., EGBC
Issued Jan. 2015
Credential ID 41338 - Pr.Sci.Nat. (Geological Scientist)
The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP)
Issued Jul. 1987
Credential ID 400295/87 - Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems)
Transport Canada, Apr. 2019
Credential ID PC19112134x
Education
- University of Witwatersrand, M.Sc. (Eng.) Mineral Economics, Mining Geology, 1995 – 1999
- University of South Africa (UNISA), Diploma in Data, Statistics, Computer Science, 1985 – 1988
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, B.Sc. (Hons.) Geology, 1975 – 1978
Geoscience & Communications 