Meet our Consultants

Our Resources group includes James McFarlane, Zoe Scannell, Mel Bulley, and Galen White who leads the group. All our resource geologists are experienced in resource modelling and estimation in both DataMine, MicroMine and Leapfrog geological software packages. The Resources group is ably assisted by Andrew Nicholson who focuses on Environmental and Social aspects of projects and operations as well as ESG accreditations.

Our mining group - led by Jim Pooley, Clive Brown and Curtis Clarke - includes Graeme Fulton, Adam Kuhl, Nick Patterson and Andrew Fulton. Clive, Graeme, Nick and Adam are all experienced designers in both Deswik and Datamine software suites. James McFarlane, while principally acting as consulting geologist, is also a Charted Mining Engineer and assists on mining consulting engagements including due diligence, as does Andrew Fulton.

Our Processing Group includes Alan Forsyth, Seamus Pegum and Andrew Bamber, who leads the team.

Our engineering and infrastructure group includes Ed Baldrey (Electrical), Franco Labuschagne (Mine Engineering), Allan du Plessis (Shafts and shaft engineering), Boet vd Vyfer (Ventilation), and Freddie Jabobs (Design Office). The group is led by Etienne de Villiers, Principal Mechanical Engineer and MD of the SA office.

Zoe is an experienced Geologist with over thirteen years of experience in the mining & metals industry in both operations and consulting. A professional with a BSc (Hons) in Geology from the University of Durham and an MSc (Mining Geology) from the University of Exeter, and a member of the IOM3, AusIMM, and a Fellow of the Geological Society of London, Zoe has built up experience in underground and open pit mine geology functions in both gold (Australia) and tungsten (UK) and has additional experience in tin, copper and lithium. Having commenced her career as a Mine Geologist with Metals X Limited in Australia, she joined Wolf Minerals, and later Tungsten West in production roles at the Hemerdon W-Sn Mine, UK eventually becoming Geology Superintendent. More recently she was a Senior Geology Consultant with Mining Plus, involved in geochemical data analysis and management, geological and geometallurgical modelling, Mineral Resource evaluation study work, due diligence studies, technical code-compliant reporting and technical advisory, which she continues to be involved in with Bara Consulting.

Melanie is an experienced Resource Geologist with a demonstrated track record in the mining & metals industry in both operations and consulting. A professional with a BSc (Hons) in Applied Geology from the University of Plymouth, with membership of the IOM3, the AusIMM and a fellow of the Geological Society of London, Mel has taken on a wide range of roles across a range of commodities including copper, nickel, gold and tungsten.
Having commenced her career as a Graduate Geologist with Geotechnics Limited, she was engaged as a Mine Geologist at Wolf Minerals in Devon, UK, where she had responsibility for a range of tasks including resource drilling, core logging and resource modelling, open pit mine planning, and reporting. After moving to Imerys as a Processing Supervisor, she joined Tungsten West as a Senior Resource Geologist, undertaking resource modelling and estimation, mine planning, as well as leadership responsibilities QA/QC, risk assessment, SHEQ, and mine safety.
Most recently she was Senior Resource Geologist with Mining Plus in Bristol, undertaking planning and management of field work, mineral resource estimation including modelling and geostatistics in both Datamine and Leapfrog, as well as client-facing roles including reporting.

James is a globally experienced mining professional with a strong background in mining projects and operations both in the UK and in Australia. He has practised as a mining consultant for projects and operations both in the UK and globally. He is experienced in mineral project development and mining projects across a range of commodities and geographies including in: Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, W, Sn, Ta and Cr. He holds an MSc in Mining Geology from the Camborne School of Mines, is a Chartered Geologist, a Chartered Engineer, and a Registered Professional Geoscientist in the fields of Mining and Mineral Exploration. James is a Fellow of the IOM3, and a member of the Geological Society of London, the Institute of Quarrying, and the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers. Most recently Principal Resource Geologist at Mining Plus in the UK, James is a co-founder of the Bristolian Mining Club as well as the UK Mining History Organisation.

Graeme is a qualified mining engineer with over 40 years’ experience in mining operations and projects. He has delivered at Principal Engineer and Senior Manager level in several roles including for 7 years as General Manager, Malaysia for Besra Mining, Consulting Mining Engineer for Mine Design Systems in New Zealand, and Senior Mining Engineer for AVMIN (Target Division) in South Africa. Additionally, he spent 3 years with Andersen Consulting undertaking system analysis and design as well as business and information system training. Experienced in both open pit and underground mine design and scheduling using DataMine Suite, Graeme specializes in several areas including geological modelling & evaluation, mine design and optimization, feasibility studies, costing and financial analysis, project planning, management and administration, as well as health and safety.

Andrew is a Chartered Mining Engineer (CEng) registered with the Engineering Council of the UK and a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM).
In his 30 years working across the Minerals and Mining Sector, Andrew has led Operational, Technical and Business teams in Africa, the EU and the UK, Russia and the US.
He has a track record for determining and realising the best value for all interested stakeholders in both emerging mining projects and established mining operations.
Andrew is current President of the Mining Association of the UK (MOUK) - the voice for the UK mining sector, representing 28 mines in all four nations across 12 different minerals.

Nicholas is an experienced mining engineer with over 15 years experience in strategic planning in both underground longhole open stoping and narrow-vein operations, with a career spanning both mid-tier and multi-national mining operations across Australia and Europe. Also a qualified and experience Mine Manager, Nicholas has prepared and delivered against life-of-mine plans, managing both operational and technical personnel, as well as producing operating budgets and schedules for both stoping and development. He is experienced in drill-and-blast, mucking, hauling and backfilling, as well as ventilation planning for operations and projects. He has a proven track record in resource project evaluation, as well as financial modelling and risk analysis. Now Senior Mining Engineer with Bara Consulting, Nick provides support to RPEEE evaluations as well as delivering on mine designs and schedules for studies ranging from PEA to Feasibility level, including detailed design and costing for projects and operations.

Andrew has over 20 years’ experience providing value-adding environmental, social and governance services to the mining and metals industry. Originally educated as a biologist and natural resource manager, he cemented his passion for the environment working as a game ranger and camp manager at various private lodges in the greater Kruger National Park as well as the Okavango Delta. After serving as General Manager of Blue Swallow Environmental in South Africa, he started his own consultancy, Umhlaba Environmental, in 2004. At Umhlaba he worked with a diverse array of specialists and other stakeholders undertaking environmental and social projects, across a range of commodities, for clients such as Rio Tinto and Sibanye-Stillwater. Having represented both mines and mining-affected communities in projects, and with experience throughout the mine lifecycle, he is considered an expert in stakeholder engagement. As Principal ESG consultant for Bara, Andrew has taken on those aspects for existing Bara Projects, as well as building a new service line in ESG investment compliance and assurance for resource projects.

Ed has over 20 years experience in industry, including as a project engineer, project manager and consultant. His specializations include electrical, control and instrumentation design, including PLC and SCADA system design. He can design, engineer and project manage electrical, control and instrumentation systems related to mining, process plants and mine infrastructure including pumping, he has additional experience in communication system and network engineering.

After receiving a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1975, Alan joined Osborn (South Africa), who manufacture and supply materials handling and beneficiation plant, conveyors and equipment to the mining, quarrying and construction industries. Initially he was a project engineer serving on a wide variety of projects, including coal, iron ore, diamonds, platinum, gold, chrome, manganese, nickel and copper, aluminium ranging from feasibility studies to turnkey design-build contracts. In October 1985, he was appointed manager, projects and contracting; in 1987, divisional director, then in 1989, projects director. In July 1999 he was appointed managing director, the position he held until he left the company in September 2004. From 2004 Alan has been a consultant with a variety of companies including Aspasa, RHDHV and now Bara Consulting.

Allan started at the Randfontein Estates Gold Mining Company as a Learner Official, obtained his Government Engineers Certificate of Competency in Electrical Engineering in 1982 and his Certificate of Competency in Mechanical Engineering in 1985. He held roles at JCI varying from Project Engineer to Section Engineer, on projects and operations including Doornkop Gold Plant and the trackless mining project at Rustenburg Platinum Mines Union Section. Since 1989, Allan has worked for a variety of shaft sinking companies including GFC Mining, Cementation and Murray and Roberts, working on shaft sinking and equipping projects internationally, including Bafokeng Rasimone and the Gautrain Project in SA and Onaping Depth in Canada. Allan’s expertise includes design and construction of shafts, declines and related infrastructure including raise boring, drop raising, diamond drilling, high pressure grouting and cementation techniques in addition to general expertise in mechanical mining methods, hoisting and shaft operations and maintenance.

Franco is an accomplished Mechanical Project and Maintenance Engineer with over 10 years' heavy
construction experience with companies including TDS Projects and AngloGold where he was involved across the entire project lifecycle from research, concept development and design, to final delivery. Experienced in major mining infrastructure design, installation and maintenance, including winders, refrigeration, ventilation, dewatering, compressors and material handling, Franco aims to provide project stakeholders with solutions that significantly impact their overall productivity. He has excellent generalist human resource skills with a collaborative management style successfully managing large teams on major engineering projects. His natural inclination and understanding of mechanical components and equipment combined with his extensive software experience enables him to find practical solutions to highly technical challenges.

Ken specialises in the design of mining-related infrastructure for deep level and open pit mines. He has over 20 years experience in mining environments focussing on infrastructure design, mechanical engineering and civil engineering. Over the years he has engaged in nuts and bolts detail through to strategic planning level for a range of organisations including mining operations and engineering companies. Ken has held diverse roles from Senior Engineer at Royal Haskoning-DHV and Turgis Consulting to Design Draughtsman at Cementation Mining, Anglogold and Rocla. He has both deep and wide experience including: general shaft infrastructure design; water mud and backfill piping system design for deep vertical and incline shaft systems; design of dewatering systems for open pit mines; backfill system design (from concept to detailed design and implementation) for hydraulic backfilling operations; hydropower, service water reticulation and cooling system design for deep-level mines. Ken can undertake work including design, cost modelling, contract administration, tender preparation and evaluation, as well as peer review on projects ranging from due diligence to feasibility studies and detailed design for operations.

Tony has over 40 years' experience in hard rock, deep level mining. He worked for Lonmin Platinum and Anglo Platinum for 20 years as Manager Engineering and Consulting Mechanical & Electrical Engineer, for 10 years as Engineering Director for DRA Global, and now as Engineering Manager for Bara Consulting.
Principally his role has been to lead design and implementation work relating to major capital projects such as mine, shaft, plant and infrastructure developments. He has detailed knowledge of both operational and project management aspects of mining, having held appointments as Project Manager, Business Manager and Consultant. He has in addition been an expert panel member for the Chamber of Mines and chaired several committees setting mining standards for the South African Bureau of Standards. As Engineering Manager Tony is responsible for specifying and managing major design projects for our clients.

Freddie is a strong design professional and experienced draughtsman with over 35 years design experience in the mining industry. Freddie has been involved in all aspects of mine and plant design including shafts, shaft equipping and conveyances, underground infrastructure including hoisting, refrigeration, ventilation and pumping, as well as material handling and process plant design. He is skilled in AutoCAD, MicroStation, Prostructures, and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) in general. Freddie has held previous roles as a draughtsman with Blyvooruitsig Mine, Sigma Colliery and Goldfields, joined Bara Consulting as draughstman in 2019, and was appointed Drawing Office Manager in 2021.