Michael Gothard

• Leading a USD 102M Sustaining Capital portfolio across major underground infrastructure, ventilation, refrigeration and Paste Plant-upgrade projects.

Achievements & Responsibilities:

• Built a high-performing team of Project Engineers and Supervisors during ramp-up.
• Delivered Paste Plant Tailings pad upgrades, delivering Ventilation FAR/RAR works, Underground Spot Cooler installation, and major haul-road rehabilitation.
• Rolled out 'Always Safe' safety initiative to all business partners.
• Strengthened stakeholder engagement across Technical Services, Operations, Maintenance, H&S, Supply Chain and Global Value Assurance.
• Owned cost forecasting, SAP cost control, accruals, commitments and EV tracking.
• Led AFE/IRP submissions, stage-gate reviews and GVA approvals.
• Led a new to underground projects team through their first Underground project.
• Portfolio governance, risk management, leadership and commercial control.
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• Achievements & Responsibilities:
• Conducted primary/secondary ventilation surveys and optimised the vent circuit across multiple mining fronts.
• Modelled networks using Howden tools and improved airflow, heat-stress compliance and re-entry times.
• Upgraded the full underground RO water reticulation system (pumps, routing, pressure control).
• Supported emergency-response modelling and ventilation statutory compliance.
• Improved compressed air, electrical, water and dewatering system reliability.
• Skills Gained:
• Systems troubleshooting, statutory compliance, technical leadership to junior team members

• Built preventive maintenance schedules for mechanical and electrical assets, reducing breakdowns and improving reliability.
• Created detailed work packs including parts, labour, permits and isolation requirements.
• Improved forecasting accuracy and materials availability for critical equipment.
• Developed whole-of-life costing for major components and refined PM strategies using reliability data.
• SAP planning, shutdown coordination, reliability analysis.

• Led a team of 20+ UG electricians, surface electricians, refrigeration and communications technicians.
• Coordinated breakdown response, planned maintenance and statutory inspections.
• Minimized downtime through structured planning and rapid diagnostic processes.
• Mentored apprentices and tradespeople, improving team capability and safe work performance.
• Supervisor Qualities:
• Clear communication, risk management, decisive leadership and strong stakeholder engagement.
• Leadership, performance management, complex fault-finding, contractor management.

• Responded to critical breakdowns across pumps, fans, HV/LV reticulation and mine-service systems.
• Installed and maintained electrical services, comms cabling, lighting, pump stations and power distribution.
• Performed statutory testing, inspections, isolations and switchboard work.
• Provided support to mining crews, maintaining high availability of essential services.
• Strong technical grounding in HV/LV systems, time management, UG resilience and teamwork.

• Led cable pulling teams on the Channel Island gas turbine power station project.
• Managed daily site operations and ensured schedule adherence.
• Facilitated smooth project execution by maintaining open communication with contractors and clients.
• Coordinated training sessions for staff development, increasing their competency levels.
• Assisted engineers in preparing detailed reports after each completed project which facilitated better future planning.

• Constructed solar diesel power stations in East Pilbara, W.A.
• Collaborated closely with engineers during project commissioning.
• Performed comprehensive risk assessments, ensuring safer working environments.
• Managed working in harsh remote environments to ensure solutions were met with limited resources.
• Installed fly wheel technology for power storage.

• Managed daily operations and ensured compliance with UK electrical standards.
• Conducted inspections and testing to meet client needs.
• Facilitated smooth project execution by maintaining open communication with contractors and clients.
• Compliance officer for UK governing body, gaining powerplus accreditation
• Handled the procurement of electrical supplies to ensure continuous operations.

• Gained my trade craft with a major electrical contractor who started business in 1927.
• Worked on commercial, industrial and energy projects.
• Traditional four-year apprenticeship.
• A good start to my career which I look back on fondly