Doug obtained a BSc from University of Toronto, Canada and a MSc Hons & PhD from University of Otago. He has over 25 years experience in the mineral industry and has worked and consulted in exploration and mining operations in Canada, Western Europe, Africa, Mexico, Indonesia and Australia. He is currently a Professional Practice Fellow in Geology at the University of Otago.

After 7 years working as a research sedimentologist/stratigrapher and geochemist, for the past 40 years he has focused on developing biogeochemical methods applied to mineral exploration and environmental issues. He was the geologist on two National Geographic scientific expeditions - Morocco (1993); South America (1996). He lectures and is involved in projects worldwide. He has published >250 papers and a textbook ‘Biogeochemistry in Mineral Exploration’. He is recipient of several awards including the Association of Applied Geochemists’ Gold Medal for 2014. • 1972-1985: Research geologist/geochemist, Saskatchewan Geological Survey. • 1985-1998: Head, Geochemistry Research Section, and senior research scientist - GSC Ottawa. • 1998-present: Independent consulting geochemist (Vancouver Island) for major and junior exploration companies, government agencies and international research organizations.

Bob Brathwaite was a Senior Minerals Geologist at GNS Science and its predecessors for 25 years and continues there as a consultant. Bob has worked on epithermal and orogenic Au, porphyry Cu-Mo, Zn-Pb skarns, heavy mineral beach sands, zeolite and clay deposits, in addition to producing maps and reports on the distribution mineral deposits throughout New Zealand. He has an MSc From Victoria University of Wellington and a PhD from the University of Tasmania, and worked as a mining geologist and in mineral exploration for 15 years in Australia.

Tom is a graduate of the University of Otago University and has recently completed an MSc on Placer garnet of the West Coast. Tom now works as an exploration geologist for Hardie Pacific, who are actively exploring for world class industrial garnet deposits on the West Coast of the South Island