Who We Are

Norman has more than 35  years’ experience in Exploration, Mine Design, Operation and Project Management of Open pit and underground hard rock Mining. Some of his experience include but not limited to: •Experienced enforcement of Health and Safety Act and regulation at mine site. •Practical Experienced in operation of Underground mining equipment and plants •Operating Experience of Open pit mining equipment • Optimisation services • Inspection Services • Advance training in Mine Ventilation and Heat management (MIRARCO). • Has managed and supervised 400 technical, non technical, unionized and non unionized workers to accomplish company goals. • Specializes in start-up projects in remote areas in different World regions including Africa. Asia and the Middle East. •Knowledge of mining software:  Mine2-4D, EPS, Promine, MineCad, Map 3D and AutoCAD.

Jagadish Bhai Patel Joined Optimineral Engineering Services as key member of the Team. With more than 20 years of experience in mining industry  experience ranging from Operation, Strategic Planning, Short-term Planning, Long-term Planning and Consulting including Scoping Study, Pre-Feasibility Study and Feasibility Study as well as Optimisation Study at the mine. I enjoyed the report writing while working with the consulting group and at the operation. The experience during the production period was very pleasant and exciting. Received  B.Eng. (Bachelor of Engineering, Mining) from Ravishanker University, Raipur, India in 1983.       I am a Professional Engineer  from Ontario , Canada certified to offer engineering services to the public. Also, I hold Mine Managers certificate from South Africa . Moreover, I hold MBA degree from Bond University, Australia (Johannesburg Campus, South Africa). My work experience includes operational experience with Base Metal Mine in India for approximately 6 years followed by production and operational experience for nearly 5 years  at Narrow Reef Platinum Mine in South Africa . After working at  Platinum Mine, I moved to one of the deepest Gold Mine in South Africa and worked as Production Supervisor, Senior Production Supervisor and Business Unit Manager in Production department. Later on,  I have also enjoyed working in Planning section for few years and engaged in Pre-Feasibility study and Feasibility study at the mine. I was a  part of the team that prepared the economic model for the Gold Fields Limited at Kloof Gold Mine complex . In Canada, I have worked with diamond mine in the arctic region where I prepared Long term strategic plan and Production Scheduling  including the production reporting system to the financial system for finance department to evaluate the strategic planning. I have been the member of the optimisation process team for Snap Lake Mine, De Beers Canada. With consulting group HATCH, I was engaged in preparation of  Scoping Study for Kinross, and prepared FEL 3 level report for Logistics and supply for  T3 mine, Vale. Also, a member of the team for  FEL 2 level study for  design and scheduling of Pallas Green project . As far as software is concerned, I have been using Cadsmine, Auto CAD, Mine 24D, EPS (Earthwork Production Scheduler) ,MS Project . I have attended Valuation of Mineral Projects based on Technical and Financial Modeling course and also attended course on Hard Dollar . I am very inclined to the safety and quality at work whether it is production or design . My philosophy about the mining is “Opportunity for improvement exist at every level of mining”.

After receiving his Electronics Technologist Degree in 1978 Richard immediately pursued a career as a geo-technician working in Uranium, Athabasca Basin for 2 years. He continued this path as a Senior Geophysicist-assistant supervising approximately 20 employees for Texas Gulf Minerals from 1981 through 1985. After that time, Richard contracted exploration services until recently, accumulating  34 solid years of invaluable experience touching a full spectrum of requirements within the prospecting community.  Many deposits of different commodities were discovered by Richard, enabling junior mining companies to prosper to this day.  Geophysics being his forte, prospecting inevitably  became Richard’s primary passion.  Richard key skills include effectively taking on the role of diplomat in order to smooth the way  for all stakeholders.  He is well versed in safety standards and has been educated under the supervision of major mining companies such as Falconbridge and Inco.  In 2013, Richard was selected as Chief-Operator responsible for  3D resistivity surveys for the Yukon Geological Survey.  Richard has performed drilling operations and, most recently, has conducted auger-drilling for placer miners in the Yukon Territories.  Richard is a prospector gold card holder in Ontario. He has worked in every Canadian province as well as  Sierra Leone processing diamonds for two seasons.  Richard is fluent in English, French and Spanish and can also write assessments reports fluently in both French and English.