Our People
Director
Kurt Baugmart
Kurt Baumgart is a Director with Primed Global and has over 33 years’ experience in opencut mining, infrastructure and port operations. Kurt has led and grown businesses for Downer/Roche Mining and MacKellar Group delivering excellent outcomes for partners like Adani Mining Australia, BHP Mitsubishi Alliance, FMG , Idemitsu, Stanwell, and Middlemount coal through the development of high performing teams to deliver projects in a safe and timely manner.
Kurt has a strong background in all facets of open cut mining having worked in gold, iron ore, copper, rare earths, lead, zinc and coal operations in both operational and plant roles, from site engineer through to general manager. He also has a strong background in infrastructure and civil enabling works, including both D&C and construct only inclusive of rock fill, mass concrete, MAW and tailings dams, all weather haul roads, conveyor tunnels and associated services, underground portals, coal ROMS and product pad stockpiles. He also has overseen the construction of “fit for purpose” temporary and permanent workshop facilities and remote airstrips for FIFO operations.
With Kurt’s extensive operational experience and ability to build high performing teams, he has been able to deliver value to stakeholders through understanding their needs and developing alternative strategies to secure work, via innovate mine plans, flexible commercial models, resource sharing, optimisation and being transparent about risk and reward..
Director | TECHNICAL
Chris Hanson
Chris Hanson has +30 years mining experience in practical operational mining and consulting both in Australia and internationally, and has strong industry experience and credibility in the areas of underground and open cut geotechnical engineering. He also has a broad understanding of all aspects of tailings reclamation and rehabilitation management.
Chris has conducted a number of high profile JORC Resource assessments including for the Moatize and Carmichael Coal Mine Projects. Chris is currently the Site Senior Executive for the Springsure Creek Coal Project and has significant experience in structured integrated project management, with a Diploma from the AIM in this area.
Director | Studies
Patrick Humphries
Patrick has over 20 years' experience in underground coal mining operations, feasibility management and mining research. Patrick has led major project feasibility studies for Adani Mining Australia, BHP Mitsubishi Alliance, Vale and Mount Isa Mines (now Glencore) to identify, develop and deliver high capacity underground coal mines in a timely manner.
Patrick has a solid background in underground coal production including roles as Longwall Superintendent, Technical Services Superintendent and Ventilation Officer at a number of Queensland mines. He has extensive expertise in the development, implementation and management of Principal Hazard Management Plans for Ventilation, Gas, Mine fires and Spontaneous combustion. Patrick has been a leader in the development and application of innovative inertisation techniques for the prevention of spontaneous combustion in underground coal mines resulting in increased safety and productivity in Queensland coal mines.
DIRECTOR
Ron Griffey
Ron Griffey has 25+ years’ experience in corporate operational roles and consulting both in Australia and the Pacific Region in coal and hard rock mining, extractive industries, and major infrastructure. Ron has been a Senior Manager at Downer Mining, Boral and Hanson and has led companies to gain long term mining and infrastructure contracts.
Ron has extensive experience in strategic business development, contract negotiations, development of extensive management systems, fixed and mobile equipment life cycle costings, corporate and small business operations, business assessments and improvements, establishment of Joint Venture entities, major infrastructure feasibilities and construction methodologies.
Principal | Underground Mining Engineer
Sean Wilson
Sean has had over 13 years’ experience in the underground coal mining industry with extensive experience in the operation and design of high productivity longwall mining operations and is highly proficient in the operation of various specialised software packages including Deswik, XPAC and VentSIM.
Sean’s operational experience comprises of the management of all areas of coal mine technical services including subsidence, spontaneous combustion, complex geological/geotechnical conditions, gas drainage and operation/management of ventilation circuits. Sean has been involved in the preparation of several engineering studies at various levels for major projects including the Teresa Project Pre-Feasibility Study (Link Energy Pty Ltd) and as Project Leader for the Carmichael underground Feasibility Study.
Principal Mining ENGINEER
Alan McMurtrie
Alan McMurtrie has 15 years’ experience in the mining industry, specialising in underground mining through commencing practical experience as an equipment operator in longwall and longwall development production units.
Alan has extensive experience in mine planning activities within mining houses and as a consultant including mine design and scheduling for life of mine planning, production reporting and reserving for all underground coal mining methods. He also has experience in drill and blast, short term planning and production roles.
Alan has been involved in numerous Australian and international concept through feasibility mining studies, as well as process optimisation projects.
Alan is highly proficient in typical mine planning software including Deswik, Xpac, Surpac, Ventsim and Minex design/scheduling packages.
PRINCIPAL ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST
Epi Diomampo
Epi is a Mine Geologist and Engineering Geologist with an exceptional range of experience gained over >40 years on numerous projects. He is extremely competent in a variety of roles with a range of skills and experience.
He has been the team lead in the conduct of Engineering Geology and Geohazard Assessment for power generating facilities like solar farms, wind turbines, hydropower and coal fired power plants. He also provided solutions in the stabilization of slopes and in landslide prone areas, managed geophysical surveys in characterizing foundations, and conducted ground investigations in tailings and mine waste disposal.
His experience as a coal mine and exploration geologist has included undertaking geological data gathering, analyses and interpretation including in-pit mapping; providing expertise in determining the best quality coal produced at optimum dilution and quality; monitoring coal recovery and tracking coal from pit to ROM to wash plant; as well as reconciling mined blocks for model variation purposes. He has conducted geotechnical assessments along the slope and pit floor for the safe operation of the mine.
Other experience included conducting technical audits, data validation and resource modelling, planning and undertaking various drilling and sampling programs, undertaking risk assessments, and providing training to clients on field procedures.
PRINCIPAL Consultant Geologist
Attila Kovago
Attila has over 42 years coal experience Australia, Indonesia and Mongolia, working in a wide variety of technical areas of the coal business. He has recently worked as Exploration Director for Pembroke Resources on the Maruwai Basin project (PT Semesta Alam Barito); in various geological management positions at PT Kaltim Prima Coal (ex-Rio Tinto company) – the world’s largest exporter of thermal coal; and as Geological Consultant on numerous Indonesian and Australian coal exploration, underground and open-cut projects.
During his career Attila has also worked in various geological roles for SouthGobi Sands LLC, PT Britmindo, PT Minvest, Pacific Coal Pty. Ltd (Rio Tinto), South Blackwater Coal Ltd. (QCT Resources), Newlands Coal Pty. Ltd. (MIM), and CSR Western Collieries Ltd.
Attila holds a MSc (Geology) from the Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary; a special Graduate Diploma in Coal Geology from the University of Newcastle, Australia; and Graduate Diploma in Mining Engineering from the University of Ballarat, Victoria. He has also been a Member of the AusIMM since 1981.
Senior Consultant Geologist
Matthew Stephens
Matt has 40 years of experience in the metalliferous mining, development, resources and exploration industry as well as exposure to industrial minerals and construction materials.
Commodities worked on include base metals, precious metals, ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals. uranium, lithium, rare earths, critical minerals, phosphate, limestone, sandstone, granite, basalt, sand and gravel as well as jade and semi-precious gemstones.
Throughout his career he has also performed geotechnical reviews, due diligence, mergers and acquisitions, independent geologist’s reports, prospectus preparation, ASX announcements, NI 43 101 reports and JORC resource and reserve statements.
FIELD SUPERVISOR
Amanda Skipper
Amanda provides field supervisory services in exploration, ensuring a smooth and efficient drilling program. With a passion for exploration and a commitment to excellence, Amanda is dedicated to contributing to our team's success.
Amanda works closely with the geologists, supporting their work in various capacities. She assists in planning and organising the drilling programs, ensuring that all necessary resources, equipment, and personnel are in place. From coordinating logistics to overseeing the implementation of safety protocols, Amanda’s goal is to create a secure and productive work environment.
During drilling operations, Amanda takes on the responsibility of supervising the program. She closely monitors the drilling activities, ensuring that they are executed in accordance with established procedures and industry standards. By overseeing the drillers and maintaining a focus on safety, Amanda strives to minimize risks and maximize efficiency.
Beyond Amanda’s technical responsibilities, she believes in fostering strong communication and collaboration within the team. Amanda is always available to lend a helping hand, provide guidance, and facilitate effective teamwork. Amanda in her own words summaries this as follows: “Together, we work towards advancing our geological knowledge and contributing to the success of Primed Global”.
PRINCIPAL GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER
Walter Keilich
Walter is a mining professional with 19 years’ experience in mining / geotechnical engineering and holds Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (Geotechnical Mining) status.
He has experience in open cut and underground operations including operational site support, geotechnical risk management, site investigations, geotechnical design, numerical modelling and project management.
Walter also holds a PhD in mining / geotechnical engineering from the University of Wollongong in the field of mine subsidence mechanics and longwall mining effects on river valleys.
Walter’s core skills include:
Operational site support including geotechnical design reviews, site inspections and secondments.
Geotechnical model development, including rock mass characterisation and domain modelling.
Development of Principal Hazard Management Plans and TARPs.
Independent technical reviews, due diligence and studies.
Exploration Manager
David Drakeley
David has +15 years of practice in geology, exploration and management roles in public and private mining-related enterprises. He brings a particular talent for exploration project planning and execution that is accurately attuned to solve technical challenges.
As a holder of the SSE qualification, David has an unwavering commitment to safety and believes that the development of a culture where everyone goes home safely is achievable with the right practices, environment, people and leadership.
David’s core skills include:
Desktop and remote sensing studies to identify exploration targets;
Design of exploration programs;
Development of exploration schedules and budgets;
Contractor tender preparation, evaluation and management; and
Exploration site safety management as a qualified Site Senior Executive.
Principal Geophysicist
Andy Hall
Andy is a Geophysicist specialising in well log data analysis with over 30 years’ experience working in the oil and gas, CSG and mining industries providing cost effective solutions for evaluating sub-surface structures and fluid flow potential. In his career, Andy has led projects throughout Australia and New Zealand and also in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.
His expertise is in drilling programs ranging from steering horizontal wells using real time data, exploration and development wells onshore and offshore to multi-well CSG and mine resource programs for environmental impact and resource assessment. In these programs, Andy plans and manages efficient core and log data acquisition programs, routine and special core analysis programs and integrates the results providing detailed structural and petrophysical interpretations.
Andy is an expert in geological database creation and maintenance having built databases of hundreds of wells in the Geolog software to allow correlation of geological formations and calculation of facies or petrophysical properties. This is used to either determine the environmental impact of drilling on aquifers by looking at offset well, calculate hydrocarbon reserves or plan new well trajectories based upon a detailed database and geological surfaces.
After many years in the oil industry, Andy has developed skills in data manipulation using Excel macros and complex Geolog Loglan coding. The full use of the software enables more consistent, quicker interpretation of larger datasets allowing better solutions in a shorter time scale.