Senior mine development people working for Winspear.
Vice President Project Development John McConnell, P. Eng.
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John McConnell brings more than 25 years of mining experience to the Snap Lake Project. Most recently, John served as Vice-President Breakwater Resources Ltd. Prior to Breakwater, John spent 11 years at Nanisivik Mines in the position of General Manager and Mine Engineer. Previous to Nanisivik, John spent 6 years with Strathcona Mineral Services involved in feasibility studies, ore reserve calculations and mine engineering.
Johns extensive experience in all aspects of mining will be a great asset towards the development of the Snap Lake Project.
Senior Vice President & C.F.O. R.J. (Don) MacDonald
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Mr. MacDonald brings over 20 years of experience in the mining industry and has successfully completed over $500 million of mine financings. Mr. MacDonald has been responsible for the financial aspects of the acquisition, development and operation of five mines. Most recently, Mr. MacDonald has arranged the financing for the development and construction of the 140,000 ounce Andacollo gold mine in Chile which was the first project financing for a large mine in Latin America without a substantial corporate guarantee or country risk insurance.
Mr. MacDonald holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in engineering from Oxford University and is a chartered accountant
Melissa Kirkley. Ph.D.
Position: Chief Geologist
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Prior to her position at Winspear Resources Ltd., Dr. Kirkley was employed by BHP Diamonds Inc. where, since 1994, she has been involved with various aspects of the developing Ekati project and most recently was in charge of New Projects world-wide. For ten years prior to joining BHP, Dr. Kirkley was a member of the Kimberlite Research Group established in Capetown, South Africa, under the leadership of Dr. John Gurney. Throughout her professional career, Dr. Kirkley has published extensively on various aspects of kimberlites and diamonds including the mining of kimberlite dykes in South Africa.
John Wright, B.Sc., P. Eng. Project Engineer - Snap Lake
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John has worked in the mining industry for the last 24 years. During that time he has held engineering and operating positions in several mines in Canada, including the Sullivan Mine in British Columbia, the Lupin Mine and the Con Mine in the Northwest Territories and the Cluff Lake Mine in Saskatchewan. As well, John was involved in several mining projects including shaft sinking at the Brunswick Mine, underground exploration projects at Asbestos Hill and Detour Lake, and the design and start-up of a new satellite pit and underground mine operation at Cluff Lake. Positions held during this period included senior engineer, chief engineer, manager of technical services (engineering, geology, and environmental), and project manager.
In 1994, John joined H.A.Simons as chief engineer on the $150 million McCreedy East Mine development project for Inco in Sudbury, Ontario.
In 1995, he became the project manager and remained on site until the completion of the project in May,1998.
Currently, John is working for Winspear Resources as the project manager for the Snap Lake diamond project. In this capacity, he will be co-ordinating the ongoing exploration and bulk sampling program, and the environmental baseline data collection required in order to move the project forward to the completion of a feasibility study.
Seven contractors have already completed the installation of an 85 man Atco-style camp complete with water and sewer; 750 kW generator and backup; 3.3 million liter storage tank fuel farm; 920 meter long airstrip; and partial completion of the initial lifts for the dams forming the processed kimberlite containment facility.
The underground development is contracted out to Procon Mining & Tunneling under management of AGRA Simons using the plan drawn up by MRDI Canada. The portal has been collared and a 5 x 5 meter decline has been advanced more than 200 meters to make the first turn, and if they haven't yet, they are soon to turn the second corner and head east to drive under the lake. The processing plant purchased from Tahera is being assembled on site now, and Winspear expects to begin bulk sampling kimberlite by late August or early September. They say about 20 days will be required to process each 2000 tonne bulk sample.
Winspear's timetable indicates that mine construction could begin as early as mid-2001, followed by open pit mining in the third quarter of 2002, commissioning in late 2002 and full production in the first quarter of 2003,...all dependent of course on good bulk sample results, getting the necessary permits, and securing appropriate financing.
Current operating costs are projected at $94 per tonne, with rock valued at $299 per tonne Canadian. They project the IRR will be 37.6%, with cash payback at 2.1 years. Barrick had to start somewhere too :-))))) |
