Mark Fennel

Directed the Nuton engagement for the Escondida Indication Phase Study.

Managed client relationships to ensure satisfaction, and ensure alignment for the Altar project in Argentina, and the Antakori project in Peru.

Collaborated with internal SMEs to formulate a strategic portfolio of sites for the Nuton technology.

Coordinated with a multidisciplinary team to develop, strategize, and implement extensive metallurgical testing programs.

Assembled an elite team of experts from SMEs, engineering firms, and vendors.

Developed process design criteria, capital, and operating costs.

Identified potential risks associated with engineering projects and created mitigation plans.

Partnered with project controls to establish timelines and oversee advancement.

Conducted regular meetings with clients to review performance metrics, progress, and future goals.

Participated in research and development to identify the critical few process technology areas to improve performance while reducing operating costs.

Tracked competitor actions to maintain competitive edge, analyzing intellectual property strategy and patent filings.

• Served as a copper heap leach and Geomet SME, advising the senior leadership.
• Directed an extensive evaluation of primary copper sulfide heap leaching technology at Escondida, including the development of a scale-up strategy to achieve on-site commercial proof of process.
• Led the development of robust, conceptual business cases for projects in Peru and Mongolia, applying Rio Tinto's primary copper sulfide heap-leaching technology.
• Collaborated with a diverse team to design, plan, and execute comprehensive metallurgical test programs.
• Coordinated with engineering vendors to develop process design criteria, capital, and operating costs.
• Identified potential risks associated with engineering projects and created mitigation plans.
• Participated in the evaluation of emerging process technologies, current industry trends, and best practices to improve efficiencies while reducing operating costs across the product group operations.
• Participated in product group due diligence to outline future development possibilities, and define strategies for sustainable production and growth.
• Drafted and presented monthly management project status reports.

• Served as a copper heap leach SME, advising the Rio Tinto Escondida JV management team.
• Established a business-focused collaboration with the BHP Escondida counterpart to set and measure performance metrics.
• Supported the annual performance reporting process, providing guidance and forecasting, while delivering short-term cost savings solutions.
• Directed strategic production planning engagements to assess long-term growth options.
• Evaluated emerging technologies, current industry trends, and best practices to identify sustainable growth opportunities.
• Supervised assessment of Rio Tinto primary copper sulfide heap leaching technology at Escondida.
• Guided junior staff through mentorship and coaching.

• Developed and managed Geo-Metallurgy strategy to enhance product group efficiency.
• Provided technical support for product group operations and two growth projects focused on enhancing operational performance and project health.
• Designed and executed the primary copper sulfide heap leaching strategy, while implementing an intellectual property approach to ensure freedom to operate.
• Coordinated efforts with local agencies to finalize the primary copper sulfide heap leach pilot plant shutdown (70 kt) in Bingham Canyon, Salt Lake City, USA.
• Led creation of copper processing trade-off model for strategic growth evaluation.
• Executed due diligence activities while supporting product group strategic initiatives as a mineral processing SME.
• Served as Escondida JV technical committee SME for geomet and heap leach.
• Guided junior mineral process engineers in their professional growth.
• Annual budget in excess of $10 million.
• Reported to the MD, Rio Tinto C&D Operations Technical Services.

• Led metallurgical and geo-metallurgical development for one of the world's largest undeveloped copper projects.
• Spearhead the integration of innovative process technologies to enhance project viability and value.
• Directed the integrated Geo-Metallurgy program and block model development in Lima, Peru.
• Oversaw primary copper sulfide heap leach pilot plant operations in Melbourne, Australia, and coordinated milling and flotation ore variability testing in Salt Lake City, USA.
• Provide technical expertise for the primary copper sulfide heap leach pilot (70 kt) – Bingham Canyon, Salt Lake City, USA.
• Facilitated collaboration among field teams, laboratories, and engineering firms.
• Developed order-of-magnitude and pre-feasibility metallurgical process flow sheets, and design criteria for engineering in Lima, Peru.
• Contributed to formulating the project growth strategy, managing associated technical risks, and implementing mitigations.
• Directed the allocation of resources, including budget, personnel, and materials, to maximize productivity and meet project deadlines.
• Presented project updates and technical findings to stakeholders and executive leadership, effectively communicating complex information.
• The annual budget across three continents is in excess of $10 million per year.
• Managed a team of 30 staff members, graduates, and community workers.
• Coordinated activities of four key engineering contractors.
• Reported to the project technical director.

• Created and executed Geo-Metallurgy program to aid OoM and PFS studies for La Granja porphyry Cu resource. The Geo-Metallurgical program was instrumental in evaluating the strategic development options, and staged expansions of the La Granja project.
• Developed cutting-edge ore analysis facility alongside Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú with an investment of $2 million.
• Integrated geological information, quantitative mineralogical data, and metallurgical results were combined into a comprehensive geomet block model for estimating processing costs by block.
• Oversaw a dedicated diamond drill hole program, metallurgical testing, and characterization of test products at contract laboratories.
• Managed the development of metallurgical flow sheets, along with AMD and ARD characterization.
• Conducted capital and operating cost estimations, optimization, risk management, along with threat identification and opportunity assessment.
• Provided leadership during times of organizational change or crisis situations.
• Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
• Utilized advanced technical skills and expertise to troubleshoot complex problems and implement solutions.
• Annual budget: $5 million.
• Approximately 20 staff members, graduates, and local community workers.
• Reported to the project technical director.

• Directed the establishment of the applied process mineralogy skills at BHP Billiton.
• Spearheaded the creation of a new state-of-the-art facility in South America, in collaboration with the Universidad de Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile.
• Delivered proposals, technical expertise and advice to South American Cu operations.
• Participated in conducting metallurgical audits for Escondida oxide leach operations.
• Contributed to the scale-up and commercialization of Escondida Run-of-Mine sulfide leach technology.
• Executed leach feed and residue characterization for the Cerro Colorado dynamic oxide heap leach pad.
• Refined Cerro Colorado NIR clay model for optimizing heap irrigation strategies and percolation efficiencies.
• Annual budget: $3 million – $5 million.
• Approximately 15 staff members.
• Reported to the metallurgical director.

• Led the establishment of the world's first pioneering mine site process mineralogy laboratory, integrating the QEMSCAN automated mineral analyzer, XRD, XRF, NIR, optical microscopy, metallography, and a fully operational sample preparation facility.
• Supervised laboratory operations, including the sample prep facility and technical staff, while serving as the direct liaison between the metallurgical operations and the laboratory.
• The laboratory was a production support facility for the Cu sulfide heap leaching operation, and was instrumental in the design, development, and commissioning of the Cerro Verde I Cu/Mo concentrator.
• Managed geo-metallurgical support for Cerro Verde engineered Cu sulfide heap leach (30,000 tpd).
• Performed plant audits concentrating on recovery, acid consumption, crusher performance, agglomeration quality and enhanced permeability.
• Oversaw geo-metallurgical support for the Cerro Verde primary sulfide concentrator (120,000 tpd) by directing ore characterization, metallurgical testing, HPGR ore hardness, and Cu and Mo flotation programs.
• Delivered technical expertise and mentorship to staff on complex testing initiatives.
• Annual budget: $1 million - $3 million.
• Approximately 15 staff members.
• Reported to the operations technical studies manager.

• Project management of operational improvement and business development opportunities, with a focus on production and plant performance, as well as the implementation of applied process mineralogy and metallurgy technologies.
• Supervisor of the QEMSCAN laboratory, including the sample preparation facility and technical staff; direct involvement in the building of two world-class process mineralogy facilities to include QEMSCAN, XRD, XRF, NIR, CEC, optical mineralogy, chemical, and automated sample preparation.
• Created and updated process documentation, encompassing flowcharts and laboratory procedure manuals.
• Conducted extensive plant assessments to drive operational improvements for Cu, Au, and Mo concentrators situated in multiple locations, including Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Chile.
• Performed recovery efficiency evaluations on engineered Cu heap leach systems at multiple locations across Arizona, Peru, and Chile.
• Assessed dynamic on/off operations at the El Abra site, driving improvements in Cu oxide heap leach recovery and reagent consumption.
• Contributed mineralogical and metallurgical expertise for the company's major Cu growth projects, including Western Copper mixed sulfides in Arizona, Safford oxides and primary sulfides in Arizona, Cerro Verde primary sulfides in Peru, El Abra primary sulfides in Chile, and Tenke Fungurume Cu/Co in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Congo.
• Annual budget: $3 million - $6 million.
• Approximately 10 staff members.
• Reported to the chief mineralogist.

• Oversaw operational support laboratories and ensured analytical data supported mine, mill, and SX/EW plant operations, while promoting and developing key new analytical technologies for laboratories and operations.
• Facilitated the integration of enterprise LIMS solutions across the mine site.
• Established a copper cathode metallography laboratory to improve cathode quality.
• Headed the implementation of ISO 9001 quality control system for SX/EW operations.
• Deployed X-Ray Fluorescence method for monitoring the quality of final Cu concentrate.
• Monitored budgets and expenditures to ensure cost-effectiveness while maintaining quality standards.
• Facilitated teamwork and communication between departments to enhance performance.
• Emphasized business improvement through customer relations and quality control of SX/EW copper cathode production, including shipment to internal and external rod and wire mills.
• Annual budget: $3.0 million.
• Approximately 30 staff members.
• Reported to the site operations manager.

• Directed multiple drilling rig operations and coordinated team efforts to explore western copper deposit.
• Executed pit mapping, drill core analysis, and rotary chip logging to outline western copper mineral resources.
• Contributed to development of metallurgical test programs for the Western Copper Deposit.
• Devised comprehensive approach for geometallurgical ore typing through integration of geological, analytical and metallurgical information.
• Applied geometallurgical ore type data to enhance reserve models with MineSight Software.
• Reported to the chief geologist.

• Managed daily production and grade control.
• Completed short-range reconciliation aligning actual and planned mine-to-mill outcomes.
• Managed drill hole data and geology block models; facilitated mine planning for both long-term and short-term reserves; assisted in the preparation of annual resource and reserve reporting.
• Managed exploration operations focused on expanding underground and surface ore reserves, and identified a high-grade zinc orebody contributing an additional 15 years to mine life.
• Reported to the chief geologist.

• Analyzed geological data to enhance understanding of the Magmont West mine.
• Executed core and chip logging, sample collection and geochemical analysis.
• Determined geological characteristics using optical microscopy, XRD, and scanning electron microscopy.
• Presented findings to colleagues and clients, and published test results and conclusions.
• Reported to the chief geologist