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DAVID F. BRIGGS

 

CONSULTING GEOLOGIST

 

EXPERTISE

David Briggs has more than thirty years of experience working as a geologist for the mining industry and federal government. He has participated in and directed grass roots exploration programs designed to search for base and precious metals and industrial minerals throughout the western United States and  has also participated in several long-term ore definition programs, which were components of pre-feasibility and/or feasibility studies.  He has experience and expertise in examining porphyry copper-molybdenum systems, sediment-hosted gold systems, gold skarn systems, disseminated and structurally-controlled epithermal and mesothermal gold systems and bedded barite occurrences.   Special interests include the study of relationships between regional litho-tectonic settings and ore deposits and the application of these concepts to  minerals exploration programs.  He has strong computer, writing and organizational skills. 

David Briggs has also authored seven editions of the Mining Operations Report, a comprehensive study on the geological, engineering, metallurgical and financial aspects of more than six hundred base and precious metals mining operations.  He has compiled and  maintains extensive conventional and digital data archives, which have been derived from domestic and international sources.   Knowledge gained though this research provides him a special prospective, when conducting grass roots exploration programs or more detailed property evaluations.

 

MINING/MINERAL RELATED PROJECTS

Activity:  Geological and Geotechnical Logging

Project Name:   Rosemont

Project District:  Helvetia

Project Location:   Pima County, Arizona

Description:  Supervised  auger/core drilling program conducted at Rosemont, prepared geological and geotechnical drill logs and conducted falling head and packer tests.

Purpose:  This geotechnical drilling program was designed to obtain data used by engineers to design the concentrator, crusher, dry tailings and dump leach facilities for the proposed Rosemont copper project.

Client:  Tetra Tech, Inc.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Geological Database and  Ore Deposit Modeling

Project Name:  Robinson

Project District:  Robinson

Project Location:  White Pine County, Nevada

Description:  Examined and interpreted historical drilling records from the Robinson mining district, entered drill hole data  into Microsoft Access database and participated in the development  a computer-based geological model for this porphyry copper system.  Re-logged historical drill holes to evaluate historical drilling records.

Purpose:  Project was undertaken  to improve the efficiency of the  mining and milling operations,  identify and evaluate a potential oxide resource and  assist the on-going exploration program at Robinson.

Client: Quadra Mining Ltd.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Geotechnical Logging

Project Name:  Hardshell

Project District:  Harshaw

Project Location:  Santa Cruz County, Arizona

Description:  Collected geotechnical data from diamond drill core on a Laramide epithermal manto Mn-Pb-Zn-Ag deposit hosted by Cretaceous ash flow tuffs and breccias.

Purpose:   This project was a part of larger study designed to evaluate the feasibility of proceeding with the development of the property.

Client:  Wildcat Silver Corporation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Geological Logging and Project Management

Project Name:  Gold Gulch

Project District:  Copper Mountain (Morenci)

Project Location:  Greenlee County, Arizona

Description:   Provided on-site management and logged diamond drill holes.

Purpose:  This exploration project was designed to evaluate a gold skarn exploration target, located at the periphery of a large Laramide porphyry copper system.

Client:  Ventura Gold Corporation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Geological Logging

Project Name:  Hill

Project District:  Courtland

Project Location:  Cochise County, Arizona

Description:  Logged reverse circulation drill holes.

Purpose:   This project was designed to evaluate the economic potential of copper-zinc mineralization of a porphyry-related target, located in the Courtland mining district.

Client:   Aurelio Resource Corporation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Logged Test Pits and Mapping

Project Name:  Twin Buttes No. 4 Tailings Dam

Project District:  Pima

Project Location:  Pima County, Arizona

Description:   Logged test pits, collected environmental samples and mapped the distribution of tailings remaining in the No. 4 tailings impoundment.

Purpose:  This information was used to plan future reclamation activities at the site.

Client:   Tetra Tech MM, Inc.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Geological Mapping, Sampling and Geotechnical Studies

Project Name:  Rosemont

Project District:  Helvetia

Project Location:  Pima County, Arizona

Description:  Logged and sampled test pits at dump leach and plant sites, located burrow source for fill, collected bulk samples from proposed quarry sites for aggregate and growth media studies, prepared a geological map of the proposed plant site and other mine facilities and authored and edited geological sections of the final report.

Purpose:   This data was used to design the proposed plant and mine facilities at Rosemont.

Client:  Tetra Tech MM, Inc.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Geotechnical Logging

Project Name:  Rosemont

Project District:  Helvetia

Project Location:  Pima County, Arizona

Description:   Collected geotechnical and oriented core data during a major diamond drilling program on a large Laramide porphyry copper skarn system and served as a liaison between consultants working for Augusta Resource Corporation and Call and Nicholas, Inc.

Purpose:  This data was used by Call and Nicholas, Inc. to design the proposed open pit at Rosemont.

Client:  Augusta Resource Corporation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Geological and Mining Research

Project Name:  Mining Operations Report

Project Location:  Worldwide

Description:  Authored, edited and published seven editions of a comprehensive study on the geological, engineering, metallurgical and financial aspects of 605 base and precious metals mining operations.  Also compiles and maintains extensive conventional and digital archives of geological, operational and financial data related to the metals mining industry from domestic and international sources.

Purpose:  My clients have used the data contained within these studies to successfully plan exploration and corporate strategies, project evaluations, development of future mines and the acquisition of mining properties.

Clients:  Barrick Gold Exploration, Inc., BHP Minerals International, Inc., Cambior USA, Inc., Cordex Exploration Company,  Corona Gold, Inc.,  Echo Bay Mines Ltd., Gibraltar Mines Exploration Ltd., Glamis Gold Exploration, Inc.,  Homestake Mining Company, Kennecott Exploration Company, Newcrest Resources, Inc., Newmont Gold Company, North Mining, Inc., Pegasus Gold Corporation,  Phelps Dodge Corporation, Placer Dome, Inc., P.T. Freeport Indonesia, United States Geological Survey, Vengold, Inc.,  and Western Mining Corporation (USA)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Property Evaluation

Project Name:  Reese River

Project District:  McCoy

Project Location:  Lander County, Nevada

Description:  Prepared geological maps, collected rock chip samples, staked mining claims and conducted ground magnetic surveys over a very large property surrounding Echo Bay’s mine in the McCoy mining district.  Also logged reverse circulation and diamond drill holes, which tested the Warm Springs prospect (volcanic-hosted hot springs gold target) as well as two unnamed areas located immediately northwest and southeast of Echo Bay’s McCoy-Cove operation.

Purpose:  This reconnaissance program was designed to identify gold exploration targets concealed by post-mineral cover.

Client:  Reese River Resources, Inc.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Geological and Geotechnical Logging

Project Name:  Cove

Project District:  McCoy

Project Location:  Lander County, Nevada

Description:  Participated as a member of a team of geologists, who supervised drill crews and logged reverse circulation, conventional rotary and diamond drill holes during a major ore definition drill program in the McCoy mining district.  Other duties included geotechnical logging of core from the diamond drilling program.

Purpose:  This ore definition drilling program was a major component of a positive feasibility study that lead to the decision by the management of Echo Bay Minerals to place the Cove gold-silver deposit in production.

Client:  Echo Bay Minerals Company

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:  Geochemical Sampling

Project Name:  Sonoma Range Geochemcial Sampling Program

Project Location:  Humboldt and Pershing Counties, Nevada

Description:  Conducted a regional rock chip and stream sediment sampling program.

Purpose:  This grass roots reconnaissance program was designed to identify potential gold-silver exploration targets.

Client:  Battle Mountain Gold Company

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:  Property Evaluation

Project Name:  White Horse

Project District:  White Horse

Project Location:  Elko County, Nevada

Description:   Prepared geological and alteration maps, collected rock chip samples, selected drill hole targets and logged reverse circulation drill holes.

Purpose:  This project was designed to identify and evaluate sediment-hosted gold exploration targets, hosted by the late Devonian-Mississippian Antler flysch sequence.

Client:  Battle Mountain Gold Company

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:  Property Evaluation

Project Name:  Windermere Hills

Project Location:  Elko County, Nevada

Description:  Prepared geological and alteration maps and collected rock chip samples.

Purpose:  This project was designed to identify sediment-hosted gold drill targets, occurring within the late Devonian-Mississippian Antler flysch sequence.

Client:  Battle Mountain Gold Company

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:  Property Evaluation

Project Name:  Deadman Gulch

Project Location:  White Pine County, Nevada

Description:   Prepared geological and alteration maps, collected rock chip samples, selected drill hole targets and logged reverse circulation drill holes.

Purpose:  This project was designed to identify and evaluate sediment-hosted gold targets, hosted by the late Devonian-Mississippian Antler flysch sequence.

Client:  Kennecott Minerals Company

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:  Property Evaluation

Project Name:  Emigrant Springs

Project District:  White Pine

Project Location:  White Pine County, Nevada

Description:  Prepared geological and alteration maps and collected rock chip samples.

Purpose:  This project was designed to identify sediment-hosted gold drill targets, occurring within the late Devonian-Mississippian Antler flysch sequence.

Client:  Kennecott Minerals Company

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:  Property Evaluation

Project Name:  Roberts Mountains

Project District:  Antelope

Project Location:  Eureka County, Nevada

Description:   Prepared geological and alteration maps and collected rock chip samples.

Purpose:  This project was designed to identify sediment-hosted gold drill targets, occurring within early Paleozoic sediments in the upper and lower plates of the Roberts Mountains Thrust.

Client:  Kennecott Minerals Company

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:  Property Evaluation

Project Name:  Twin Springs Hills

Project Location:  Eureka County, Nevada

Description:  Prepared geological and alteration maps and collected rock chip samples.

Purpose:   This project was designed to identify sediment-hosted gold drill targets, occurring within the early Paleozoic sedimentary package.

Client:  Kennecott Minerals Company

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:  Property Evaluation

Project Name:  Star Pointer

Project District:  Robinson

Project Location:  White Pine County, Nevada

Description:   Logged reverse circulation drill holes.

Purpose:  This project was designed to evaluate a gold-bearing silica pyrite replacement deposit, located within a major porphyry copper mining district.

Client:   Kennecott Minerals Company

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:  Property Evaluation

Project Name:  Ivanhoe

Project District:  Ivanhoe

Project Location:  Elko County, Nevada

Description:  Logged reverse circulation drill holes.

Purpose:  This project was designed to evaluate a hot springs gold exploration targets hosted by Miocene basaltic andesite and lithic tuff, located along the Carlin Trend.

Client: Kennecott Minerals Company

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Grass Roots Exploration

Project Name:  Great Basin Remote Sensing Reconnaissance Program

Project Location:  Nevada

Description:   Participated as a member of a team of geologists, who conducted brief field examinations and rock chip sampling surveys on alteration anomalies identified by remote sensing techniques.

Purpose:  This grass roots reconnaissance program was designed to identify and evaluate hydrothermal alteration anomalies, which are associated with large precious metals systems.

Client:   Shell Mining Company

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Grass Roots Exploration

Project Name:  Southern Basin and Range Gold Reconnaissance Program

Project Location:  Cochise and Graham Counties, Arizona and Grant and Hidalgo Counties, New Mexico

Description:   Participated as a member of a team of geologists, who prepared regional geological maps, conducted regional stream sediment and rock chip sampling surveys and identified, delineated and evaluated altered and mineralized areas.

Purpose:   This gold reconnaissance program was designed to identify and evaluate precious metals exploration targets in porphyry and epithermal environments.

Client:   Shell Mining Company

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Grass Roots Exploration

Project Name:  Great Basin Barite Reconnaissance Program

Project Location:  Central and Northeastern Nevada

Description:    Designed and conducted exploration program, which involved the field examination of areas underlain by upper plate eugeosynclinal sediments in the Antler Orogenic Belt.  This exploration effort resulted in the discovery of a major bedded barite occurrence (Q-bar), located along the northwest flank of the Adobe Range.

Purpose:  This reconnaissance program was designed to explore for bedded barite occurrences hosted by early Paleozoic eugeosynclinal sediments in the Antler Orogenic Belt of central and northeastern Nevada.

Client:   Quintana Minerals Corporation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Property Evaluation

Project Name:  Q-Bar Barite Project

Project District:  Coal Mine

Project Location:  Elko County, Nevada

Description:  Prepared outcrop geologic maps, gravity surveys, planned and directed conventional rotary drilling programs and logged and sampled drill cuttings from a major bedded barite occurrence.   This data was used to prepare a preliminary mineral resource estimate and financial analysis of the property.

Purpose:  This project was designed to evaluate the mineral resource contained at Q-bar with the goal of developing the property into an operating mine.

Client:  Quintana Minerals Corporation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Property Evaluation

Project Name:  Mazama

Project District: Mazama

Project Location:  Okanogan County, Washington

Description:  Logged core from a diamond drilling program on a major porphyry copper deposit.

Purpose:   This project was a part of an on-going ore definition drilling program designed to define the mineral resource at Mazama.

Client:   Quintana Minerals Corporation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Grass Roots Exploration

Project Name:  Southwestern Uranium Reconnaissance Program

Project Location:  Hidalgo and Grant Counties, New Mexico

Description:  Field examination with Geiger counter and rock chip sampling program.

Purpose:  This exploration program was designed to search for uranium hosted by Precambrian granitic lithologies.

Client:   Quintana Minerals Corporation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Project Evaluation

Project Name   Bonanza Oil Shale

Project Location:  Uintah County, Utah

Description:  Assisted in the laying out of panels for an aerial topographic mapping survey.

Purpose:  This project was designed to produce a detailed topographic map of the Bonanza oil shale property.

Client:   Quintana Minerals Corporation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Activity:   Grass Roots Exploration

Project Name:  Oro Blanco

Project District: Oro Blanco

Project Location:  Santa Cruz, County, Arizona

Description:  A preliminary assessment of area included the preparation of geological map and a rock chip sampling program.

Purpose: This exploration program was designed to evaluate the central potion of the Oro Blanco mining district for a structurally controlled, volcanic-hosted epithermal target in the vicinity of the Old Glory and Margarita prospects.

Client:   Quintana Minerals Corporation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Activity:   Business Expansion Assessment

Project Name:  Western Phosphate

Project Location:  Utah, Idaho and Montana

Description:   Examined several phosphate prospects and toured operating mines in Utah, Idaho and Montana.

Purpose:  This project was designed to evaluate the feasibility of entering the phosphate mining business.

Client:   Quintana Minerals Corporation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Congressional Testimony - Submitted written testimony to the U. S. Congress in response to proposed changes of the 1872 Mining Law and proposed public land withdrawals in southeastern Arizona.   

Guest Opinion in the Arizona Daily Star on October 4, 2007 -  Time to Bring New Mine Operation Online to Meet Domestic Demand.

Presentation Given at U. S. Forest Service Public Hearing in Tucson, Arizona on June 30, 2008  - Public Comments for the Proposed Rosemont Copper Project Environmental Impact Statement.

 

EDUCATION

B. S. in General Science (Major - Geology, Minor - Math) (1972) - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

M. S. Geological Sciences (1975) - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

University of Arizona (1977-1978) - Completed 17 Semester Hours Directed Toward a PhD. in Geology

 

 

Professional Development/Continuing Education

Short Course Title:  Mine Safety and Health Administration

From whom short course taken:  Hazard Prevention Institute

City where course attended:  Tucson, Arizona

 

Short Course Title:  Cyanide Safety Course              

From whom short course taken:   Echo Bay Minerals Company

City where course attended:   Battle Mountain, Nevada

 

 

PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS

Gilbert, M. C. and Briggs, D. F., 1974, Comparison of the Stabilities of OH- and F- Potassic Richterites –- A Preliminary Report: (Abstract), EOS Transactions, American Geophysical Union, v. 55, n. 4, p. 480-481.

Briggs, D. F., Gilbert, M. C. and Glover III, L., 1978, Petrology and Regional Significance of the Roxboro Metagranite, North Carolina: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 89, p. 511-521.

Krahulec, K., and Briggs, D. F., 2006, History, Geology, and Production of the Tintic Mining District, Juab, Utah, and Tooele Counties; in Mining Camps of Utah: Roger L. Bon, Robert W. Gloyn and Gerald M. Park (eds.), Utah Geological Association, Publication No. 32, p 121-150.

 

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Arizona Geological Society

Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.

 

Biography                            List of Clients