Andrew Tunstall

Experience

• 

  Royal Navy

  Sept 1978 - Jan 1981

  Artificer Apprentice

  Learning how to operate and maintain Royal Navy warship's propulsion and mechanical equipment and other general military duties.

• 

  Goldfields of South Africa

  Jan 1984 - Jun 1985

  Learner Official

  Underground mining and supervision at various deep gold mines in the Transvaal using breast stoping and scrapers. Experience gained in supervising drilling, blasting, scraping, ground support and rise development.

• 

  WALKER LADD LTD

  Jun 1985 - Sept 1985

  Surveyor

  Land surveying work for various clients using theodolite and level. Preparation of plans and sections.

• 

  Geothermal Energy Project

  Jul 1987 - Sept 1987

  Research Assistant

  Carrying out research into ground stress measurement using hydrofracturing with viscous gel.

• 

  Geevor Tin Mine

  Sept 1987 - Jun 1988

  Miner

  Underground airleg mining and blasting in narrow vein tin mine. Experience gained in operating airleg and battery locos, blasting and general mine services work.

• 

  Mount Isa Mines

  Jul 1988 - Jul 1991

  Mining Engineer

  After training as a miner and shift boss, I worked as a mining engineer at the X41 copper mine, R62 cut and fill section and the Hilton mine. Experience gained in ventilation, equipment selection, drill and blast and mine scheduling.

• 

  Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre

  Dec 1991 - Dec 1995

  Carried out fieldwork in the blasting research project at various mines in Australia, Chile, Colombia and Norway. Measured and analysed blast vibrations and rock mass damage. Based in Santiago, Chile. Managed and participated in the AMIRA P93E blasting research project in Chile at the El Soldado, El Teniente and Andina mines. Also did some work at La Escondida and Cementos Diamante in Colombia. The work was focussed on understanding and minimising rock mass damage from blast vibrations.

  • Senior Researcher

    Jan 1995 - Dec 1995

  • Senior Researcher & Manager - Chile Project

    Dec 1991 - Dec 1994
• 

  Initiating Explosives Systems Pty Ltd

  Jan 1996 - Dec 1997

  Field Support Engineer (Coal)

  Provided field support (training, misfire investigation, etc) to customers of IES at open cut coal mines in the Hunter Valley and the Bowen Basin. Also presented at ICI Explosives Safe and Efficient Blasting courses and contributed to product development and testing.

• 

  Renison Tin Mine

  Dec 1997 - Jun 1998

  Mining Engineer

  Responsible for development and production scheduling, drill and blast and cable bolt designs in 750 ktpa underground tin mine.

• 

  Henty Gold Mine

  Jun 1998 - Mar 2005

  Managed underground mining and technical services in 300 kpta high grade gold mine. Experience with airleg and mechanised cut and fill, bench stoping, open stoping and paste fill. Technical services work and contractor management in small underground high-grade gold mine using cut and fill, bench stoping and paste fill.

  • Mining Manager

    Mar 2000 - Mar 2005

  • Chief Mining Engineer

    Jun 1998 - Mar 2000
• 

  Mt Lyell Copper Mine - Vedanta Resources

  Apr 2005 - Mar 2008

  Mining Manager

  Managed underground contract mining, technical services and fixed plant maintenance at 2.5 mtpa sub-level cave and acted as GM when required.

• 

  WorkSafe Tasmania

  Apr 2008 - Mar 2022

  Responsible for leading and managing a team of mines inspectors to regulate health and safety at Tasmanian mines, quarries and smelters. Also responsible for managing the regulation of the major hazard facilities in Tasmania. Member of the WorkSafe Tasmania Executive team. Carried out serious and fatal incident investigations, mine inspections and principal hazard management plan audits at Tasmanian mines, quarries, smelters and processing plants. Prepared investigation reports for Coronial inquests and prosecution files.

  • Chief Inspector of Mines and Major Hazards

    Jul 2020 - Mar 2022

  • Principal Mining Inspector

    Apr 2008 - Jul 2020
• 

  Department of Justice - WorkSafe Tasmania

  Oct 2022 - Mar 2023

  Specialist Mining Advisor

  Providing specialist mining advice and carrying out mining-related project work. Current projects include assessing risk from respirable crystalline silica in small quarries, preparing for a review of mine safety legislation and mentoring staff.

• 

  Avebury Nickel Mine

  Mar 2023 - Nov 2023

  Deputy General Manager & Site Senior Officer

  Site Senior Officer and General Manager duties in 900ktpa underground nickel mine using open stoping and CRF. Development of SSO role, planned inspections, investigations and Major Hazard Management Plans. Implemented comprehensive health and hygiene monitoring program.

• 

  Freelance

  Apr 2024 - May 2024

  Mining Consultant

  Reviewing, auditing and providing advice on major hazard management plans and other areas of mine safety.

• 

  Department of Justice - WorkSafe Tasmania

  May 2024 - Nov 2024

  Specialist Mining Advisor

  Providing mining engineering support to the Office of the Chief Inspector of Mines. Carrying out audits, investigations and inspections at Tasmanian mines, quarries and smelters and relieving as Chief Inspector of Mines when required.

• 

  Self-employed

  Nov 2024 - now

  Mining Consultant