Home
Bernard Siddall

Bernard Siddall

Bernard Siddall

How long have you been in the resources industry?

Retired in 2007 after 42 years.

What are your proudest contributions to the WA Mining Club?

During my tenure as president, 2001 and 2002, the Scholarship program was founded and the St Barbara’s Day celebration was extended to include a memorial bench seat dedication in Tropical Grove at UWA, with a pastor and lone piper present for the service. Also on St Barbara’s Day, the speaker was asked to review his or her sector of the industry, rather than promote a particular company. 

Who were the people that influenced your career?

Henry Muller of Western Mining Corporation Ltd in Adelaide introduced me to autogenous grinding, which became a mainstay of my consultancy career. Derek Barrett of Canada , an early SAG mill expert. Also the geologists of Mining Resource Technology: Peter Onley; Peter Collins and Bill Shaw for their guidance as we crossed the boundaries between geology and metallurgy. On the mining side, Jim Williams and Tad Watroba guided me through their dark art.

What do you enjoy most about being a Life Member?

It’s nice to be acknowledged for my contributions and to enjoy the fellowship of other Life Members.

In recent times, who has been the most interesting speaker you’ve heard?

I’ve only had infrequent visits in recent times, so it’s unfair to pick a speaker.

What are you looking forward to seeing the Mining Club achieving in the future?

Representation and advocacy to government and the media without the stance of either the employers or the workers.

 

A bit about Bernard:

Bernie spent over 40 years in the international mining industry, including 25 running his own consultancy. Early years were spent working on copper in Zambia and Iran, copper-zinc in Canada and nickel in Botswana before relocating to Perth in 1972 to join Seltrust Mining Corporation Pty Ltd. He managed the Agnew Nickel Project’s metallurgical development from first drillcore to first product shipment in 1979. The Perseverance Mine at Leinster has evolved to be part of BHP’s Nickel West assets.  Seltrust was acquired by BP Minerals Australia, and Bernard joined the team developing the Olympic Dam Cu-Au-U mine at Roxby Downs, SA. 

He founded Orway Mineral Consultants, specialising in autogenous and semi-autogenous comminution circuit design and operations, in 1984. He pioneered application of the technique to smaller gold operations with great success before scaling up to design some of the world’s largest circuits. The skills developed are still in global demand today. 

He is a graduate of the University of Leeds, a former Fellow of the AusIMM, a Professional Member of the Australian Institute of Management and was a director of three ASX listed mining companies. He was President of the WA Mining Club for 2001 and 2002. 

Outside of work, he was a keen sailor and former board member of Fremantle Sailing Club. He has now retired to live in Dunsborough, where he was chair of a community care organisation and a writer of biographical and humorous scripts.  

 

 Click here to return to the Life Members page.