Brenda Kepo
Mt. Hagen,Papua New Guinea
Summary
Experienced mining professional specializing in Geotechnical Engineering at Lihir Gold's Lihir Operations for the past 3 years. Possess extensive expertise in addressing complex geotechnical engineering challenges in open pit mining environments, specifically in transitioning from argillic/clay altered rockmass to strong rockmass. Knowledge also includes identifying and managing geotechnical hazards. Proficient in research and technical writing, producing well-researched reports for slope monitoring purposes. Strong problem-solving abilities, thirst for knowledge, and excellent communication skills contribute to team success and positive outcomes. Eager to embrace new challenges and dedicated to advancing organizational objectives with enthusiasm. Innovative Geotechnical Engineer with knack for designing specifications and drawings for construction projects. Sound proficiency of soil and rock properties and water content measurement. Ethical and honest with passion for environmentally friendly construction practices.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Geotechnical Engineer
Newmont Corporation
03.2024 - Current
- Conducted field inspections and monitoring programs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices in geotechnical engineering.
- Spearheaded training initiatives aimed at enhancing the technical skills of junior geotechnical engineering staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the team.
- Supported environmental remediation efforts through comprehensive evaluation of contaminated soil properties and behaviour under various conditions.
- Displayed strong communication and interpersonal skills while visiting clients, jobsites and consultant offices to support project and business development needs.
- Estimated materials costs and sourcing requirements for project feasibility.
- Reviewed calculations and analytical data to maintain accuracy of technical reports.
Mine Geotechnical Engineer
Newcrest Mining Limited
06.2022 - 02.2024
- Conducted geotechnical inspection in pit slopes and stockpiles
- Identified geotechnical risks and provided recommendations to Mine Operations
- Communicated geotechnical hazards to relevant stakeholders.
- Performed facemapping of structures and Rockmass units in pit
- Provided data sets of face mapping to Drill & Blast team for best blasting practice and for slope stability purposes.
- Reviewed monitoring data for radars, prisms, ATS stations, and inclinometers for comprehensive risk assessments regarding potential slope failures or landslides, implementing effective mitigation measures to safeguard business investment and protect personnel.
- Conducted slope reconciliation reports for pit slopes. Detailed mapping for structures and rockmass units to compare against models. Conduct stability analysis using Rocscience slide 2D. Compiling monitoring data of particular slope. Providing recommendations at the end of report for safer and better mining practices.
- Conducted field inspections and monitoring programs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices in geotechnical engineering.
Mine Geothermal Engineer
Newcrest Mining Limited
08.2020 - 04.2022
- Identified and managed geothermal hazards on a daily basis
- Conducted temperature checks on digface of shovels and inspected Drill & Blast patterns for geothermal hazards
- Created temperature models for active mining benches
- Communicated with relevant stakeholders about geothermal risk and mitigations
- Managed horizontal drilling of horizontal holes on batter faces to depressurize pit slopes
- Prepared reconciliation reports for benches.
- Established strong working relationships with clients through exceptional communication skills, fostering trust and collaboration.
- Developed positive working relationships with stakeholders to effectively coordinate work activities.
Geotech Projects Engineer
Newcrest Mining Limited
03.2018 - 07.2020
- Conducted investigations/studies for the passive cooling effects of the mining impacting the geothermal system at a shallower depth (less than 30m).
- Monitored and reported temperature taken from blastholes and probeholes
- Conducted drone surveying of patterns to understand cooling effects
- Planned and implemented installations of Vibrating Wire Piezometer and Thermocouple wires in stable mid-term benches to understand cooling rate in pit.
- Developed well-defined objective to deliver temperature monitoring effectively and safely in an active mining area.
- Implemented process improvement to mine safely in hot ground conditions (>130°).
Graduate Geologist
Newcrest Mining Limited
01.2016 - 02.2018
- I have done 6 months rotations through the following sections under Minetechnical Services (MTS) they are as follows: Mine Geology, Mine Geotechnical Operations/Projects, Mine Geothermal Operations and Ore Body Knowledge.
- The rotations are part of graduate development program for Newcrest Mining Limited - Lihir Operations.
Education
Bachelor of Natural and Physical Sciences (Earth Science) -
University of Papua New Guinea
Upper Secondary School Certificate -
Hagen Park Day Secondary School
ABC -
Mt Hagen Christian Academy School
Certificate of Basic Education -
Mt Hagen Primary School
High School Certificate -
Hagen Park Day Secondary School
Skills
- Computer skills (Use of MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel Spreadsheet),
- MineSight User (Intermediate - Advance)
- Rocscience User - Slide 2D, Dip Analysis, Rocfall (Basic-Intermediate)
- 3GSM Shapemetrix & Blastmetrix User ( Intermediate)
- acQuire User (Intermediate-Advance)
- Leapfrog User (Basic-Intermediate)
- Ground Improvement Techniques (Intermediate-Advance)
Accomplishments
- 2014, Industrial Training Certification with Newcrest Mining Limited (Lihir), 10/06/14 - 02/15/15, Mining & Geology
- 2013, Industrial Training Certification with Newcrest Mining Limited (Lihir), 12/05/13 - 01/30/14, Ore Deposit Knowledge
Voluntaryworkhistory
2010 - present, Bible Faith Outreach, I volunteer to help the needy, orphans and the disadvantage or misfortunate children and mothers who are unable to provide for themselves and also some HIV/AIDS victims who are neglected by the community
D. O. B
08/29/93
P. O. B
Mt. Hagen, W.H.P
Interest
Reading, Learning new things, Travelling, Meeting new people and Working with people
Personal Information
- Age: 30 years old
- Gender: Female
- Marital Status: Single
- Religion: Christianity
Attributes
Honest, friendly, reliable, able to work well with others
Awards
2009, Business Studies Awards - Hagen Park Day Secondary School, 3rd Prize
References
- Mr. Kaipale Pano, Mine Geotechnical Superintendent, Newcrest Mining Limited, Lihir Island, New Ireland Province, P.O. Box 789 Port Moresby 121, (+675) 986 5654, (+675), Kaipale.Pano@newmont.com
- Mr. Philip Asing, Mine Geothermal Superintendent, Newcrest Mining Limited, Lihir Island, New Ireland Province, (+675) 986 5723, (+61) 39523889, Philip.Asing@newmont.com
Certification
- Bachelors Degree in Science ( Earth Sciences) Certificate (issued April 2016)
- Certificate of Completion for Rocscience Stability Modelling of Slopes and Excavations with Rocscience Tools (May 2022).
- IBIS User Specialist Certificate issued by IDS GeoRadar (issued August 2022).
- Slope Performance Monitoring Professional Development Course by The Geotechnical Centre of Excellence (issued September 2023)
- Certificate of Completion for GroundProbe's Advanced SSR Data Analysis Training (issued May 2024)
Timeline
Lead Geotechnical Engineer
Newmont Corporation
03.2024 - Current
Mine Geotechnical Engineer
Newcrest Mining Limited
06.2022 - 02.2024
Mine Geothermal Engineer
Newcrest Mining Limited
08.2020 - 04.2022
Geotech Projects Engineer
Newcrest Mining Limited
03.2018 - 07.2020
Graduate Geologist
Newcrest Mining Limited
01.2016 - 02.2018
Bachelor of Natural and Physical Sciences (Earth Science) -
University of Papua New Guinea
Upper Secondary School Certificate -
Hagen Park Day Secondary School
ABC -
Mt Hagen Christian Academy School
Certificate of Basic Education -
Mt Hagen Primary School
High School Certificate -
Hagen Park Day Secondary School
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