Andy Birtles

Mr. Andy Birtles is a Mining Engineer, Professional Engineer and Chartered Engineer with more than four decades of experience in the global mining industry. Beginning his career in 1979 in the UK coal sector, Andy has since built a career spanning coal, metalliferous, heavy minerals and precious metals, with operational and consulting experience across the UK, South Africa and further afield.

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He has held senior operational management roles in coal mining and later joined several international consulting groups, before becoming Director of ANB Mining Ltd. Andy’s expertise covers mine planning and design (surface and underground), project valuation, public reporting, risk assessment and strategic advisory for mining companies, investors and regulators.

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Alongside his consulting work, Andy has contributed to research, development and education in mining, lecturing at tertiary institutions and providing input to industry-wide sustainability initiatives.

 

Key points to note include:

• Extensive experience in coal mine operations, planning and design — both opencast and underground — in the UK and South Africa.

• Significant expertise in metalliferous, heavy minerals, precious metals and precious stones mine planning and design.

• Involvement in the valuation of mining projects, IPOs, public reports and technical reports.

• Research and development in coal mining, and lecturing at tertiary education facilities.

• Current work includes assessing business interruption and material risk in mining operations worldwide.

• Board Member of the Mining Technology Group of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3).

• Strategic Advisor to the Board of IOM3 and representative to the Global Minerals Professional Alliance.

• Vice-Chairperson of the PERC Committee, contributing to reporting standards.

• Member of the AusIMM and SAIMM, actively contributing to global professional networks.

• Responded to government and NGO enquiries on sustainability in the minerals and mining sector.