Tyler Benson
Ormeau
Summary
A dedicated mining engineer with over 20 years extensive open pit experience, specialising in long-term mine planning, studies, continuous improvement, and operational optimisation across gold and base metals assets.
A proven ability to engage across all organisational levels from operators to executive leadership to communicate complex technical concepts and drive value based decisions. Successfully worked in both central and site based roles, with a strong track record of improving operational efficiency and delivering robust life of asset plans which align to corporate strategy. Passionate about sharing and learning and contributing to develop a more collaborative workplace.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal Mining Engineer
Covalent Lithium
01.2022 - Current
- Developed a high performing engineering team.
- Successfully commissioned project through to operation. Delivering first ore to ROM on time and within budget.
- Implemented sustainable mine planning system, supplying critical data to business partners across entire business chain.
- Developed critical framework for evolution of current planning system including a staged approach of future activities.
- Providing executable business plans averaging >90% compliance across all planning horizons.
- Acting as a conduit for the operation team with joint venture business owners.
- Manage mining contractor.
- Managing current tendering process and providing guidance for improvements from current contract.
- Providing technical support and training for engineering team whilst establishing engineering best practice.
- Providing governance and audits on all technical and operational systems.
- Navigating regulatory requirements by engaging with internal stakeholders, DMIRS, EPA and other SME to ensure timely, complaint outcomes that align with project delivery.
Senior Mining Engineer
Sandfire Resources
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Completed Motheo expansion study from 3.2 Mtpa to 5.2Mtpa Copper concentrate.
- Develop tactical planning system for new operations team.
- Completed mine infrastructure design, waste landform development, and closure plans.
- Delivered optimised life of mine plan for T3 and A4 deposits.
- Updated Stage designs to maximise value of the project.
Mining Superintendent CI CoE
Alcoa
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Manage mining continuous improvement program.
- Completed ore beneficiation project through the deployment of floor screening attachments.
- Executed Haulroad optimisation project, reducing the total haulroad build requirement by 15%.
- Managed mine operations reviews gauging each sites performance level, highlighting areas of improvement for deployment of resources.
- Develop Curtin University Alliance to co-develop areas of interest and provide learning pathways for students and staff.
- Lead team development workshops.
- Ran fleet trials on alternative haulage fleets.
- Lead mining decarbonisation programs.
- Completed mine closure designs including execution plans and improvements with automation for dozer push.
- Integrated continuous improvement mine projects into refinery projects to look for synergies and add valuable subject matter experts.
Senior Mining Engineer
South32
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Ran the continuous improvement team, including mining capital works.
- Managed fleet management system and operating team.
- Rolled out fatigue management system.
- Optimised run of mine strategy to deliver improved product quality, by reducing feed variability.
- Optimised road construction methodology for both safety and construction costs.
- Continuous miner trials.
Mine Engineering Superintendent
Cleveland Cliffs
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Managed the engineering team and served as Deputy Mine Manager,
- Overseeing reserve reporting, completing life of mine, and budget planning including financial modelling using Xeras.
- Delivered on reduction of mining costs from $85/t down to a sustained $30/t.
- Expanded available Reserve by deploying a different development methodology.
- Ensured the implementation of mining best practices and provided engineering mentoring.
- Completed mine development and approvals for both Koolyanobbing and Deception Deposits.
- Managed mining contractor throughout cost reduction initiatives.
Senior Mining Engineer
MMG
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Managed short-term planning, ensuring accurate monitoring and reconciliation.
- Managed mine backfill operation for safety and reduction in haulage costs.
- Provided production technical support.
- Working closely with operation team to ensure targets been achieved.
Senior Mining Engineer
Newcrest Mining Limited
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Supported reserve preparation and reporting, overseeing life-of-mine planning, including LOM, 5-year planning, budgets, 3-month schedules, and daily planning across multiple provinces.
- Completed mine design, development, and scheduling.
- Conducted feasibility studies.
- Developed systems for short-term planning to support long-term objectives, identified opportunities for system and productivity enhancements, and mentored other mine engineers.
- Ensured health and safety compliance, equipment selection, and waste and tailings management, as well as mine closure and rehabilitation.
- Achievements include implementing Mine Planning Cycles in PNG and West Africa, establishing effective land rehabilitation guidelines, and successfully mentoring and training foreign nationals to meet competency standards.
- Reviewed development plan for Mt Rawdon to ensure continuous ore supply could be maintained.
- Complete schedules for Lihir carpet stockpiles.
- Undertake LOM planning for Namosi project.
Planning Engineer
Xstrata Coal NSW
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Developed and managed a short-term planning system using XACT, and performed mine scheduling for budgets, 3-month, and daily plans.
- Maintained the Caterpillar Minestar fleet management system.
- Ensured compliance with environmental controls, including dam construction and water management, and conducted task observations and performance monitoring for contractors.
- Oversaw safe working practices and mine closure activities, including waste dump design and dam construction.
- Achievements include successfully implementing a short-term mine planning system on time and within budget and effectively planning and executing land rehabilitation with expert collaboration and regular landowner engagement.
Planning Engineer
Newcrest Mining Limited
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Complete daily to 3 month planning to ensure consistent ore supply maintained.
- Mine and waste dump design to maximise the resource.
- Drill and blast relief support.
Education
MBA - Business
Griffith University
Gold Coast, QLD12-2026
Master of Science - Mine Geomechanics
University of New South Wales
Sydney, NSWCertificate - G3 Accreditation, Minerals Industries Risk Management
University of Queensland
Brisbane, QLDSkills
- Full mine operations (Value chain)
- Financial modelling
- Reserve estimation
- Building relationships
- Mentoring
- Contractor management
- Land rehabilitation
- Mine Planning systems and Tools
- Communication skills
- Datamine
- Project Work
- Risk Management
- Fleet Management Systems
- Continuous Improvement
Key Capabilities
- Strong understanding of full mine operations from Feasibility stage to Mine Closure, including financial modelling.
- Exceptional skills in building relationships with industry, colleagues and teams.
- Mentoring Engineering teams.
- Experienced in different commodities.
- Mentor and team leader.
- Experienced in land rehabilitation.
- Training and developing engineers.
- Experience in developing Mine Planning systems.
- Well-developed communication skills.
- Competent in Surpac, Deswik, Whittle, Datamine, Minemax, Alastri.
- Studies and Project Work.
- Reserve Reporting.
- Risk Management.
- Experienced in Fleet Management Systems.
Timeline
Principal Mining Engineer
Covalent Lithium
01.2022 - Current
Senior Mining Engineer
Sandfire Resources
01.2021 - 01.2022
Mining Superintendent CI CoE
Alcoa
01.2019 - 01.2021
Senior Mining Engineer
South32
01.2018 - 01.2019
Mine Engineering Superintendent
Cleveland Cliffs
01.2014 - 01.2018
Senior Mining Engineer
MMG
01.2013 - 01.2014
Senior Mining Engineer
Newcrest Mining Limited
01.2011 - 01.2013
Planning Engineer
Xstrata Coal NSW
01.2010 - 01.2011
Planning Engineer
Newcrest Mining Limited
01.2008 - 01.2010
MBA - Business
Griffith University
Master of Science - Mine Geomechanics
University of New South Wales
Certificate - G3 Accreditation, Minerals Industries Risk Management
University of Queensland
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