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

Biography

Dr. Michael Davies is currently a senior advisor for Teck Resources, Canada’s largest diversified mining company. Michael joined Teck in early 2012 as their Vice-President, Environment and in late 2017 transitioned as part of a phased retirement to a senior advisory role. His current role involves assisting in Teck’s technical pursuits, providing internal review and leading Teck’s tailings governance program, guiding specific input on mine waste research and development, and in developing talent. In addition to his corporate mining experience, prior to joining Teck Michael had over 25 years of consulting experience. Over that combined career, he has worked on all stages of mining projects from advanced exploration through decommissioning and reclamation. He has worked on more than 100 tailings facilities and has contributed to and/or facilitated more than 30 multidisciplinary risk assessments for mining and other projects. In addition to tailings projects, he is experienced 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 starting in 1992), been invited speaker at many student nights in many of those same countries and has been a review member for several masters and doctoral thesis candidates in North America, Australia and in Chile.

Research Interests

Tailings and water retaining dam safety;

Dam monitoring and surveillance technologies;

Risk-informed management for tailings storage facilities;

Portfolio risk management for tailings and water retaining dams

Governance models for managing tailings storage facilities

Contact Information