Director Postgraduate studies & international development
(MEA Node: UNSW School of Mining Engineering)

Email: d.laurence@mea.edu.au
Phone: 02 9385-4597

Qualifications

B.Sc., Geology, University of Sydney 1974
B.E. (Hons), Mining Engineering, University of Sydney 1976
M.E. Mining Engineering University of Sydney 1989
MBA, International Business, University of New England 1997
PhD, Mining Engineering, 2003
NSW & NT First Class Certificates of Competency as Mine Manager

Employment

1977 – 82 The Zinc Corporation, Broken Hill, Australia – Mining Engineer
1983 – 88 NSW Department of Mineral Resources, Armidale, Australia – Regional Mining Engineer.
1988 – 92 Nunan Sapphires Pty Ltd, Inverell, Australia – General Manager Operations
1992 – 95 Ministry of Mines, Zimbabwe – Principal Mining Engineer
1995 – 98 Department of Mines & Energy, Darwin, Australia – Chief Government Mining Engineer
1998 – present UNSW, School of Mining Engineering – Associate Professor
2003 – present Director Postgraduate Studies & International Development
2010 – presentMitsubishi Chair and Director of the Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices

Professional

Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy, Fellow

Societies

Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy, former Chairman (Sydney & Darwin branches)
Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy, former Councillor (NT & Kimberley region)
Society of Mining Engineers, USA, Member
Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, Member
Asia-Pacific Mining Education Network – Co-founder
Adjunct Professor, Indian School of Mines

Teaching areas

Sustainable mining practices; mining in developing countries; metalliferous mining methods & mine design; mining law; mine management; environmental management; mine safety & health; risk management; industrial minerals; alluvial mining; gem and small scale mining;

Research interests

Sustainable mining practices; mining in developing countries; environmental management in mining; mine safety; mining laws; human behaviour; risk management in mining

Recent selected publications

Laurence, D.C. 2011 Health and Safety in the Mining Industry. Chapter 22 SME Handbook – Society of Mining Engineers USA
Laurence, D.C. 2011 “Establishing a Sustainable Mining Operation – An Overview” Journal of Cleaner Production Vol. 19, Issue 2-3, Jan/Feb
Laurence, D.C. and Scoble, M. 2009 “Integration of Sustainability into Mining Schools: Counter-cycle Strategies for the Next Boom” Proc. 4th International Conference on Sustainable Development Indicators in the Minerals Industry, Queensland
Laurence, D.C and Stothard, P.M. 2010 “Applications of Simulation Methodologies for a Sustainable Mining Industry” Proc. Advanced Mining for Sustainable Development, Halong, Vietnam.
Laurence, D.C. and Stothard P.M., 2009 “The Virtual Mine – A Powerful Community Engagement Tool”, NSW Minerals Council Environment Conference, Wollongong.
Parkin, R. and Laurence, D.C. 2009 “The Next Steps Towards Zero Harm” in Queensland Mining Industry Health & Safety Conference 2009, Townsville.
Laurence, D.C. 2008 “Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Mining Practices in the Asia-Pacific region” 11th Kenneth Finlay Memorial Lecture UNSW available at http://www.mining.unsw.edu.au/lectures/KFL/UNSW_KennethFinlay_pp_2008.pdf
Laurence, D.C. “Addressing the Social and Environmental Impacts of Coal Mining in Australia and China: Lessons for India?” in Singh, G., Laurence, D.C., Lahiri-Dutt, K., (eds) Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Managing the Social and Environmental Consequences of Coal Mining in India, New Delhi, 2007, 840 pp ISBN 978-81-7525-914-0
Laurence, D.C. 2008, “The Application of Sustainable Mining Practices in South East Asia” in Proceedings of the International Conference – Advances in Mining & Tunneling Conference, Hanoi Vietnam 19-23 August, pp 403-414 ISSN No. 18591469
Laurence, D.C. 2006 “Why Do Mines Close?” Proceedings First International Seminar on Mine Closure. Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, Pages 83-94. ISBN 0 975675664.
Laurence, D.C., and Galvin, J.M., 2006 “Educating Future Mine Managers – Maintaining the Gene Pool” Proceedings 1st International Mine Management Conference, Melbourne, AusIMM.
Laurence, D.C. 2006 “Optimisation of the Mine Closure Process” Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 14, Issues 3-4, Pages 285-298 Elsevier Science Ltd
Laurence, D C, 2005. Safety Rules and Regulations on Mine Sites – The Problem and A Solution. Journal of Safety Research (in prep. – acceptance date 27 September 2004)
Laurence, D C, 2004. TSL Trials at an Australian Underground Coal Mine. Chapter 23 of “Surface Support in Mining”, Potvin et al (eds). Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, 2004. pp 227-234 ISBN 0 975675605

Professional Interests and Consulting

Consultant to industry, government and aid organizations in sustainable mining practices including mine environmental management; mine closure and decommissioning; mine rehabilitation; mine safety; accident and incident investigation; institutional strengthening; capacity building; in Australia, Asia (China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia etc), Africa, South America & Pacific