Ron Ellis
Kalgoorlie,WA
Summary
Results orientated and highly experienced mining professional with a successful track record in operational transformation and establishment. A value driven leader who builds successful teams by creating a deliverable vision, strategy and effective implementation plan. Experienced in mining and processing of gold and base metal surface and underground operations.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager – Northern Operations
WYLOO METALS (MINCOR RESOURCES NL)
Kambalda
10.2020 - Current
- Resident Manager / UG Manager responsible for the recommencement of underground mining operations at the Northern Operations which includes Long Victor and Otter Juan mine sites.
- Direct management of the underground contractor as well as the creation of the technical team and processes associated with development and future production activities.
Alt Resident Manager / UG Manager
SHORT TERM CONTRACT – WESTERN AREAS
04.2020 - 10.2020
- Interim role whilst Mincor Resources NL secured funding for the re-commencement of operations.
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team and responsible for supporting the Resident Manager in the re-establishment of UG mining and surface processing operations at the Cosmos Nickel Mine.
- Direct day to day management of the UG contractors in re-establishing Cosmos Nickel Mine (Odysseus UG Mine), surface shaft infrastructure earthworks and raisebore shaft works and general surface maintenance of the processing plant / infrastructure prior to pre-commissioning works.
Mining Manager – UG Mt Charlotte Operations
NEWMONT CORPORATION
02.2018 - 03.2020
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team and directly / indirectly responsible for all aspects of underground mining at the iconic Mt Charlotte UG Gold Mine located within the town boundaries of Kalgoorlie, WA.
- Mt Charlotte UG Gold Mine is high tonnage low grade (1.2 mtpa @ 2.5 g/t) underground gold mine utilizing three mining methods to extract the ore. The operation utilises a sub level caving technique (SURF – Stoping Under Rock Fill), Longhole Open Stoping with Backfill where geotechnically required and Modified Avoca. The mine is seismically active. Ore is recovered from remnant and newly mined sources resulting in one of the lowest direct mining unit cost operations in Australia.
- The underground mining operation utilizes company employed workforce and company owned equipment.
- The proximity of the operation with regards to the local town requires considered external stakeholder relations and the contribution to the overall KCGM Operations is critically important for the overall operations success.
- Key Achievements: Successfully rebuilt / led the technical, operations and maintenance teams through the process of rebuilding mine health to reliably deliver targets without the historic high contribution of remnant (cave material) to the overall production profile.
General Manager, Higginsville Gold Operation
WESTGOLD GROUP
05.2017 - 02.2018
- Transferred to Higginsville Gold Operations which is currently an open pit operation mining an annual production rate of 1.2 mtpa operating in two geographic locations which are approximately 80 km’s separated.
- The 1.2 mtpa CIP processing plant is currently being considered for expansion to 2.0 mtpa which will require an associated increase in the annual mine production rate which in turn requires an appropriate focus on the project development process.
- The open pit mining operation utilizes contract workforce and equipment.
- Underground opportunities exist and are currently being re-evaluated.
- Expansion program requires careful stakeholder management.
General Manager, South Kalgoorlie Operations
WESTGOLD GROUP
11.2014 - 04.2017
- Responsible for the resurrection of mining operations at South Kalgoorlie Operations which was in toll processing mode. Recruited the UG and OP technical teams and secured contractors to complete the scope of works. Implemented the relevant operating systems to safely deliver Budget expectations. Combined annual production is 1.2 mtpa or 108 koz’s.
- HBJ UG gold mine is a historic UG gold mine which was re-opened to produce 400 kt per annum. Established new portal and decline development to connect to the historic workings. Completed rehabilitation, pumping and refurbishment of historic workings in order to access new mining areas. Mining method is both Long Hole Open Stoping plus Modified Avoca with Cement Rockfill. Schedule of rates contract arrangement. Difficult ground conditions.
- Open Pit program resurrected initially with a series of short life open pits (< 6 months) until the longer life Cannon Gold Project was secured. Cannon Gold Project is a Mine Management Agreement with SAU whereby MLX provide all technical and operational services to extract the orebody. Schedule of rates contract arrangement. Annual OP production is 600 kt per annum.
- Involved in seeking nearby mine acquisitions as well as managing the exploration department to extend mine reserves.
- Remaining mill feed for the 1.2mtpa CIL processing plant is sourced from toll treatment customers. Responsible for the liaison with external toll treatment customers to ensure processing capacity is maximised.
General Manager, Mount Monger Operations
SILVER LAKE RESOURCES
01.2013 - 10.2014
- Responsible for the operation of two CIL processing plants with a combined processing capacity of 2.1 mtpa for a total gold production of 120 koz’s. Completed successful merger of Integra mining employees into the SLR organization.
- Mined ore was sourced from both UG and OP mines.
- Daisy Milano and Cock-Eyed Bob UG Gold Mines are narrow high-grade operations utilising long hole open stoping and airleg extraction methods. Both mines utilise contract workforce using a Fixed & Variable contract arrangement. Annual UG production was 500kt per annum.
- Maxwell’s and Wombola Open Pits annual production was 500 kt per annum utilizing conventional open pit mining methods. Contract workforce on schedule of rates contract arrangement.
- Remaining mill feed was obtained from historic LG stockpiles until depleted whereupon the Lakewood Gold Processing Facility was placed on care and maintenance till the asset was sold. Randall’s Gold Processing Facility became the core treatment asset.
Operations Manager
MACPHERSONS RESOURCES LTD
02.2012 - 12.2012
- Involved in the process of leading the organization from exploration to production phase utilising strategic planning & risk management approach in conjunction with a robust feasibility process.
- Core assets were the Nimbus Silver Zinc Mine located adjacent to the KCGM Super Pit and the various small goldmines located in Coolgardie.
- Commenced the complex feasibility process for the recovery of Ag DORE and Zn concentrate from Nimbus Silver Mine to determine a safe cost-effective processing process (Merrill Crowe).
Chief Executive Officer
GBF UNDERGROUND MINING COMPANY PTY LTD
09.2008 - 01.2012
- Promoted to the role of CEO in order to facilitate strategic development of the business. Manage the affairs of the Company in accordance with Board approved guidelines and statutory obligations. To deliver on budgeted outcomes and strategic objectives focused primarily on delivering sustainable shareholder value through profitability and enterprise value growth.
General Manager
GBF UNDERGROUND MINING COMPANY PTY LTD
03.2007 - 09.2008
- To provide direction and leadership for GBF/St Ives personnel in order to achieve an integrated underground mining department that uses effective, fit for purpose systems and at the same time develop GBF’s internal systems / strategic plan in order to expand business by successfully tendering contract work and acquiring appropriate small niche businesses.
Resident Manager
PERILYA PTY LTD
Kalgoorlie, WA
01.2006 - 03.2007
- Transferred Daisy Milano Gold Project to improve the profitability by implementing mining and geology process. Successfully transitioned the operation to a profitable status within 6 months.
- Completed internal housekeeping and prepared the asset for disposal.
Mining Manager
PERILYA PTY LTD
Broken Hill, NSW
11.2003 - 12.2005
- Promoted to Mining Managers role and responsible for the safe delivery of production targets at both the South and North Mines. Provided leadership and management of both the operational and technical Mining teams.
- Lead the conversion of the South Mine from large volume open stoping method to 150 stopes per annum of smaller remnant size stopes.
- Restructured the mining department and split out the North Mine and Technical Team to be independent of the South Mine Mining Manager.
South Mine Production Superintendent
PERILYA PTY LTD
Broken Hill, NSW
07.2003 - 10.2003
- Responsible for the safe delivery of production targets – 2.4 million wet tonnes per year.
North Mine Superintendent
PERILYA PTY LTD
Broken Hill, NSW
03.2003 - 06.2003
- Responsible for the re-commencement of underground activity at the North Mine
- Selected mining crew, established twin portals and commenced underground development activity.
Skills
- Safety Management
- Financial Management
- Operating Systems
- Change Management
- Organisational Improvement
- Strategic Leadership
- Team Development
Affiliations
- WASM Alumni Chairperson – Kalgoorlie Branch
- Member, Kalgoorlie Campus Council
Education Training
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Mining Engineering) – WA School of Mines, Kalgoorlie (1987)
- First Class Mine Managers Certificate of Competency (WA) No. 382
- Productions Manager Certificate (NSW)
- Underground Supervisors Certificate of Competency (WA) No. A608
Hobbies and Interests
- Cancer Research Fundraising / Police Legacy Fundraising / M4M (Depression and Suicide Prevention)
- Australian Rules Football / Road Cycling / General Sports / Country Music
References
Available upon request
Timeline
General Manager – Northern Operations
WYLOO METALS (MINCOR RESOURCES NL)
10.2020 - Current
Alt Resident Manager / UG Manager
SHORT TERM CONTRACT – WESTERN AREAS
04.2020 - 10.2020
Mining Manager – UG Mt Charlotte Operations
NEWMONT CORPORATION
02.2018 - 03.2020
General Manager, Higginsville Gold Operation
WESTGOLD GROUP
05.2017 - 02.2018
General Manager, South Kalgoorlie Operations
WESTGOLD GROUP
11.2014 - 04.2017
General Manager, Mount Monger Operations
SILVER LAKE RESOURCES
01.2013 - 10.2014
Operations Manager
MACPHERSONS RESOURCES LTD
02.2012 - 12.2012
Chief Executive Officer
GBF UNDERGROUND MINING COMPANY PTY LTD
09.2008 - 01.2012
General Manager
GBF UNDERGROUND MINING COMPANY PTY LTD
03.2007 - 09.2008
Resident Manager
PERILYA PTY LTD
01.2006 - 03.2007
Mining Manager
PERILYA PTY LTD
11.2003 - 12.2005
South Mine Production Superintendent
PERILYA PTY LTD
07.2003 - 10.2003
North Mine Superintendent
PERILYA PTY LTD
03.2003 - 06.2003
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