Richard Johnson  is a strategically focused executive with extensive expertise in Mining & Metals projects including a background in feasibility studies, startups, commissioning and operations.  He has a strong record in leading teams to successful project completion on budget and achieving or exceeding design capacities. 

 Governance Role on Recent Projects 

About Us 

        Richard Johnson has over 45 years in the mining industry.

          Highlighted by serving as MPD Executive Board Chairman (2015) of SME and the following roles:

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  • Nord Rim DMCC., Engineering Process Manager for project development worldwide. 
  • Kaz Minerals Project B.V., Engineering Process Manager for design of Newest Copper Project.
  • JOHNSONMCS, LLC, Principal Process Consultant for BHP's Spence GOP and Sierra Gorda's Phase II Expansion, 
  • BHP Billiton, Senior Manager Projects, responsible for Project Governance for the Americas (Houston, Texas)
  • Newmont Mining, Director of Projects, North America, responsible for the following projects; Phoenix Mill Expansion, Mill 5 Flotation Expansion and the UG Shaft Development at Leeville.  (Elko, Nevada)
  • Aker Kvaerner, Project Manager, E&C, responsible for the following projects: BHP'S Tintaya Oxide and Feasibility Study for Vale's Projecto 118 SXEW. (San Ramon, California)
  • Magma Copper (BHP), Processing Manager for Operations and Start-up of the Robinson Cu & Au (Ely, Nevada)
  • Freeport McMoRan, Process Manager, responsible for the expansions to 32k & 52k and first SAG/Ball circuit (New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Freeport Indonesia, Mill Manager, Expanded the operations from 12k to 52k (Tembagapura, Indonesia)
  • Freeport Gold, Mill Supt. Start-up and Commissioning of Freeport's Gold Operations.(Elko, Nevada)
  • Newmont Mining, Chief Metallurgist and Moly Plant Foremen at Magma Copper (San Manuel, Arizona)

     Publications


  • “Increase performance through Flash Flotation and cyclone optimization”, 3rd Mill Operators Conference, Cobar, NSW, May 1988, by R.H. Johnson & S.A. Rais.
  • “Wet Screening Operations at Freeport Indonesia’s Copper Concentrator”, SME- Reno, NV, Feb 1993, Authors C.H. Sheerin & R.H. Johnson.
  • “Robinson an Integrated Operation”, SME-Albuquerque, NM, Feb 1994, Authors M.R. Grundy & R.H. Johnson

Experience

Richard is a proven change agent while working for several major mining leaders: Kaz Minerals, BHP Billiton, Freeport McMoRan and Newmont Mining. He initiates the re-engineering of critical core processes that have resulted in multi-million dollar impacts to the financial bottom line.  The roles that brought these results include: Operations Manager in achieving turnaround performance, NA Director of Projects providing divisional leadership, EPCM Project Manager completing successful project design, construction & start-ups, Process Engineering management and providing projects independent peer reviews on major projects (multiple Industries)  including staff development through mentoring..

Copper:

  • Baimskaya Copper Project: Brownfields Copper/Moly project in Chukotka, Russia (Due Diligence)
  • Escondida Organic Growth Project: Brownfields expansion with a new concentrator
  • Antamina Expansion: Mill expansion with new SAG/Ball/Flotation circuits
  • Escondida Water Supply: Pipeline, power systems, and Desal plant (2500 l/sec)
  • Escondida Laguna Seca Debottlenecking: Expansion by adding a ball mill circuit
  • Escondida Oxide Leach: Dynamic pad development including an overland-conveyor
  • San Manual Closure: Reclamation project for the Mine, Plant and tailings sites
  • Escondida Ore Access: In-pit crusher relocation
  • Escondida New Mine Facilities: New mine equipment shop and office complex
  • Spence Hypogene Expansion: Brownfields  expansion with new concentrator, port and Desal

Energy Coal:

  • Cerrejon: Expansion including a new shipping berth, mine fleet and associated infrastructure
    Navajo Coal: mine expansion including crushing, conveyor and storage

Petroleum:

  • Angostura Gas: Brownfields gas export project in Trinidad.
  • Neptune: Gulf of Mexico Deep-Water TLP (50,000 bopd)
  • Shenzi: Gulf of Mexico Deep-Water TLP (100,000 bopd), includes water injection wells

Diamonds and Potash:

  • Jansen Potash: Greenfield development (8 mta) includes UG shafts, mine, processing plant and port storage/shiploading berth
  • Ekati’s Koala Project: Expansion to UG operations crushing and conveyer system