Dr. Michael P. Davies

Biography

Dr. Michael Davies served as a senior advisor for Teck Resources, Canada’s largest diversified mining company. Michael joined Teck in early 2012 as Vice-President, Environment and, in late 2017, transitioned as part of a phased retirement to a senior advisory role. He retired from Teck in 2022. During his time as a senior advisor, his responsibilities included assisting with Teck’s technical pursuits, providing internal review, leading Teck’s tailings governance program, guiding research and development related to mine waste, and supporting talent development.

In addition to his corporate mining experience, prior to joining Teck, Michael had over 25 years of consulting experience. Over his combined career, he worked on all stages of mining projects, from advanced exploration through decommissioning and reclamation. He worked on more than 100 tailings facilities and contributed to and/or facilitated more than 30 multidisciplinary risk assessments for mining and other projects. In addition to tailings projects, he has extensive experience in mine waste management, soil mechanics, geomechanics, environmental permitting and management, mine water management, and engineering geology. He has also served on several review boards.

In addition to his professional industry activities, Michael has always had a passion for talent development and education. Starting with teaching assistant assignments in the 1980s, he has provided lectures at universities around the world, including many at UBC beginning in 1992. He has also been an invited speaker at student events in many countries and has served as a review member for several master’s and doctoral thesis candidates in North America, Australia, and Chile.
 

Education

• Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 1999
• M.A.Sc., Civil Engineering (Geotechnical), University of British Columbia, 1988
• B.A.Sc., Gold Medal, Geological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 1985
• Geological Sciences in Exploration, University of British Columbia, 1979-1982

Professional Employment History

• Teck Resources Ltd., Vice-President Environment 2012-2017, Senior Advisor, Tailings & Mine Waste 2017 – 2022
• AGRA (then AMEC, now WOOD), Principal Engineer, 1998-2012, Vice-President Mining, 2006-2012
• Klohn Leonoff / Klohn Crippen Consultants, Project Engineer to Manager Mining, 1988-1998
• GeoPacific/ConeTec Investigations, Engineer, 1985-1988
• NSERC, Graduate Research Engineer, 1985-1986
• GoldPac Investments, Project Trainee Geologist, 1983-1984

Technical Review Boards

• Nueva Unión Project, Chile, Teck/Goldcorp Joint Venture, 2017-present
• Toromocho Project, Peru, Chinalco, 2008-2012
• Highland Valley Copper, Canada, Teck Resources, 2009-2012
• Porgera Mine Waste Management, Papua New Guinea, Placer Dome/Barrick, 2004-2010
• Freeport McMoran – Global Facilities (North and South America), 2011-2012
• Kinross – Global Tailings Facilities (North and South America), 2008-2011

Current Professional Association Activity (as of 2020)

• Chair, Mining Association of Canada Tailings Working Group
• Chair, International Council on Mining & Metals Tailings Working Group
• Board Chair, International Network for Acid Prevention
• Appointed Member, Mining Association of Canada Tailings Task Force
• Appointed Advisor, UN, ICMM, PRI Global Tailings Standard
• Appointed Member, Engineers & Geoscientists of British Columbia, Professional Practice Review Task Force

Publications & Presentations

• Author or co-author of more than 60 journal papers, book chapters and/or conference papers on mine waste geotechnics, risk management, tailings management, foundation design, environmental management and related topics
• Author of the original publication on the Potential Problem Analyses qualitative risk assessment procedure (1999)
• Author of the British Columbia Mines Ministry’s “Tailings Dam Inspection Manual” (2002)