Thomas Orr Email & Phone Number

Wongaling Beach, Queensland, Australia

The aim of the first 12 months was to expose me to the groups Australian and South East Asian projects as well as giving me a chance to look at the management techniques used by the various district managers. During this period work included the following: mapping at Minjar (W.A Archaean gold) and Cloncurry (QLD, Proterozoic gold), project evaluation in the Philippines (Tertiary, Porphyry Cu-Au), a data gathering exercise in Myammar, rig supervision at Willowra (Proterozoic gold), training of staff in the Jakata office (the use of GIS and the processing of geochemical data) and a Project Generation exercise out of the Kalgoorlie office (Proterozoic and Archaean gold).After this I was transferred to the New Business Group where I was involved in reviewing the properties of a potential joint venture partners who were actively exploring for epithermal and porphyry breccia systems in South Korea, Thailand and Myanmar. Field visits were made to each of these countries. Towards the end of this time I was given the responsibility of setting up of the groups GIS system for South East Asia which had its hub in Jakarta.

Charters Towers

Initially the job was focussed on making the major change in direction from exploration mainly in out cropping areas to exploring the extensive areas of tertiary cover. During this phase considerable lobbying was required to increase staff levels, purchase more vehicles and field equipment as well as computer hardware and software. Also during this phase a methodology was developed to explore for Mt. Leyshon style systems under tertiary cover sequences. As a result of the nature of such systems a program was developed that relied heavily on geochemistry and involved the systematic drilling (at various spacings) of prospective areas. Studies were undertaken to increase our understanding of the regolith and weathering processes. Techniques were developed to help interpret and extract as much information as possible from the large volumes of geochemical data generated. Considerable effort was put into the design of a relational database for the compilation of all the companies historical exploration data and open file data in the region. Standard procedures were developed and put in place covering the collection and processing of geological and geochemical data. At its peak in activity, the office had a budget of $4.5 million (which included the Pajingo regional exploration), seven geologists operating out of it, tenements with an area exceeding 13 000 square kilometres and an exploration program that included more than 60 000 metres of drilling.

Mt Leyshon Mine

My responsibilities included the design and supervision of the ongoing exploration programme within the mining leases. After approximately two years my job expanded to include the responsibility for ore reserve calculations. This new role started with the construction of the first detailed 3D geological model of the ore body and its environs and finished 2 1/2 years later after seven ore reserves (using Datamine software and log normal kriging) which included all work relating to the 5mtpa expansion programme. Also during this time I was involved in a number of research projects which led to the publication of several papers. Other duties included the supervision of geotechnical and groundwater studies, as well as liaison with students conducting postgraduate work at Mt Leyshon.During my time running the exploration programme my most memorable intersection was 242m at 4.2g/t Au. While working at Mt Leyshon I was fortunate enough to be there during a phase when 1.5 million ounces were added to the reserves.

Eastern Australia

Involved in the acquisition of gold leases in Papua New Guinea and Far North Queensland. Work involved making the initial applications and design of exploration programmes for the first four years.

Southern Queensland

Involved with design and supervision of both seismic and drilling programmes in the Surat Basin. Part of the geological team that discovered the first commercial coal-bed methane discovery in the world (Xyloleum discovery) which may prove to be Australia's richest onshore gas field. Also responsible for the programme that discovered the first oil in the Hutton Sandstone in the Surat Basin.

Filabusi, Zimbabwe

Time spent prospecting 730 sq. kms. of greenstone south east of Bulawayo based in a field camp on the abandoned Marvel gold mine near Filabusi. This work was done during a period of significant dissident activity, and involved having up to 30 men in the field at anyone time. As well as the greenfields work, two successful cash flow projects were conducted. An auger programme was conducted on a slime dump, which was later sold to Anglo American, and an assessment was made of the old workings around the Marvel Mine which were subsequently the site of a small open cut/heap leach operation run by Cluff.

Melbourne & Pillara

Junior Exploration working initially with Gold Group in Victoria then transferred to Western Australia to work on the Pillara project/Blendvale Deposit (MVT).

Wellington & Wairarapa, New Zealand

Served with 22(D) Battery (Territorial Force Unit) which was equipped with the 105 mm Pack Howitzer. Training included radio communications, aircraft loading, helicopter transport, heavy vehicle rough terrain, small arms, infantry minor tactics tropical climate (Fiji) plus numerous others. Position held on leaving the unit - acting Gun Sargent. Highlight of my time with the unit was being graded with highest RFL score (Required Fitness Level) in the battery on several occasions. Basic training was completed at Burnham and Core Training at Waiouru.

Master Of Science With Honours, Geology

Bachelor Of Science, Geology, Zoology

Activities and Societies: Victoria University Rugby Union Club

Education record

Education record