Geoscientist Specialises In Epithermal Gold
Southern Gold (ASX: SAU) has named highly experienced, South Korea based geoscientist Robert Smillie as its Exploration Manager.
Mr Smillie has more than 30 years experience, including significant epithermal gold exploration experience.
The position is based in South Korea and is the start of an initiative to get more in-country technical expertise on the ground to increase project generation and expand the project drill pipeline.
Mr Smillie graduated with a Master of Science from Otago University, New Zealand, and has backed that a 32 year career in exploration, much of it spent offshore in various countries throughout Asia and with more than 12 years exploring epithermal gold targets, the company’s main target type in South Korea.
Mr Smillie’s most recent role was Head of Department, Regional Geology for GNS Science, New Zealand’s Geological Survey. Prior to this very senior role, Mr Smillie was Exploration or Country Manager for companies such as Ok Tedi Mining in Papua New Guinea, the National Petroleum and Mining Authority in Timor-Leste and Calibre Mining in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Mr Smillie also worked for OceanaGold Ltd at projects in New Zealand and the Philippines. Earlier roles included work for Kenex Knowledge Systems in New Zealand, PT Masmindo Mining in Indonesia and WMC Resources at St Ives in Western Australia, among others.
Mr Smillie has a Master of Business Administration from Victoria University, New Zealand and is a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists.
“It is great to have Rob join the Southern Gold team, including being prepared to reside in South Korea on a full time basis,” Southern Gold Managing Director, Simon Mitchell, said.
“I expect this will see excellent traction on the ground and give our exploration pipeline a boost as well. The South Korean team will very much benefit from having the mentoring and guidance on a day to day basis that Rob can bring to the role.
“Rob is also very well connected to an experienced group of geoscientists that are specialists in the field of epithermal gold geology and this will assist to augment the current team in its task of building the project drill pipeline. Rob’s background in working in culturally complex environments as well as a variety of technical exploration target types, will be a great asset to the company and we welcome him aboard the exciting South Korean initiative.
For further information please visit: https://www.southerngold.com.au/
