Over thirty-years' experience including mining & oil & gas companies, environmental not-for-profits, a Ministry of Environment,
and my own One-Person show.
Immersed in multi-cultural and interdisciplinary settings, initiating projects, setting up field offices, building inclusive well motivated and committed teams of local and international experts.
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Max Smith
Profile
Broad and extensive experience in improving the environmental and social performance of economic development, with clients including national governments, governmental authorities, the European Commission, branch-organisations and the private sector.
My career covers a wide spectrum of sustainability including policy, procedures, guidelines, greening of supply- and value-added chains, research and analysis of impacts and effects, contribution to Master and Detailed Plans, implementation of UN Conventions, through communications, consultation, engagement and agreements with stakeholders and communities, design and management of ESIAs compliant with national laws and international best practice, and the implementation of Environmental Management Systems.
Whilst specialised in the mining and extractive industries, other important sectors include water, energy and climate change, and transport.
An excellent record in leadership and personnel management, recruitment, mentoring, training, professional development and capacity building in diverse roles from Expert Advisor to Senior Environmental Manager.
Education
University
- 2015. Grad. Cert. in Community Relations (University of Queensland, Brisbane)
- January 2007 – April 2007 Environmental Economics (Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
- 2000. M.Sc. Sustainable Development (Vrij University, Amsterdam)
- 1994. M.Sc. Geology (Utrecht University, the Netherlands)
- 1984. B.App.Sc Geology & Biology (Curtin University, WA).
Industry courses
- 2000. EBRD Environmental Consultants Course. Tallinn, Estonia.
- 1989, 1990. Exploration Logging/Baker Hughes short courses on well logging techniques, equipment maintenance and repair, hydrocarbon geology, etc.
- 1989. Offshore installation health and safety course. Miri, east Malaysia.
- 1989. Site emergency response team course. Miri, east Malaysia.
- 1987, 1988. Structural geology workshops. Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
Work history
2019 - Present
Manager Ranger (Uranium Mine) Closure
Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Resources
www.dpir.nt.gov.au
Responsible on behalf of the Northern Territory Government to ensure the closure of the Ranger Uranium Mine complies with NT & Commonwealth legislation, causes no impact to the external environment and is safe and suitable for Traditional Owners to reconnect to Country and practice their cultural activities.
Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Resources
www.dpir.nt.gov.au
Responsible on behalf of the Northern Territory Government to ensure the closure of the Ranger Uranium Mine complies with NT & Commonwealth legislation, causes no impact to the external environment and is safe and suitable for Traditional Owners to reconnect to Country and practice their cultural activities.
As much a stakeholder relations project as technical, and political.
Requires detailed understanding of both Australian Commonwealth Government and Northern Territory Government legislation and their cumulative and respective requirements on Ranger.
Requires detailed understanding of both Australian Commonwealth Government and Northern Territory Government legislation and their cumulative and respective requirements on Ranger.
Lead the assessment, approvals, compliance and enforcement actions regarding the closure of the Ranger Uranium Mine, ensuring associated activities are in accordance with the NT Mining Management Act 2001 and other relevant Territory and Commonwealth legislation. Progress applications for approvals for technical and engineering works encompassing a broad range of scientific disciplines necessary to ensure protection of the environment in accordance to NT and Commonwealth legislation, including for mine closure.
Provide high-quality, strategic advice to industry, key stakeholder groups and the department on applying mining legislation to the Ranger Uranium Mine.
Coordinate regulation of the Ranger Uranium Mine during closure with key stakeholders including the Northern Land Council, Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, Supervising Scientist Branch, the proponent ERA, industry and non-governmental organisation, internal stakeholders and various NT and Commonwealth government agencies.
Ensure Stakeholders are effectively involved and their perspectives appropriately understood and reflected in approvals for operations and closure works.
Preparation of high-level briefs, memorandums, letters, and others, for executive, Ministerial and Legislative Assembly requirements.
2019-2020
White Trail Adventure
Developed a Sustainable Development Plan.
A small company offering winter husky-dog tours based in Kiruna in Arctic Swedish Lapland.
2017-2019
Director Gecko Sustainability
www.gogecko.eu
Developed a Toolbox and training modules for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises to implement a Sustainable Development Plan (Environmental Management System), with a focus on micro-businesses. Complies with ISO 14000 and GRI.
2015-2017
14 000km cycle-tour of Australia, blog: cycloaustralis.wordpress.com.
Director Gecko Sustainability
www.gogecko.eu
Developed a Toolbox and training modules for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises to implement a Sustainable Development Plan (Environmental Management System), with a focus on micro-businesses. Complies with ISO 14000 and GRI.
2015-2017
14 000km cycle-tour of Australia, blog: cycloaustralis.wordpress.com.
2014-2015
Author: Benefits and Implications of Free Prior & Informed Consent for the mining industry- a research document. Available upon request.
2013-2014
Graduate Certificate in Responsible Resource Development, at the University of Queensland.
September 2012 to July 2013
ESIA Advisor, Turkey Sector, South Stream Transport
www.south-stream-transport.com
www.south-stream-transport.com
July 2007 to June 2012
Senior Environmental Manager, Northland Resources (no website)
August 2005 to December 2006.
Principal Environment and Social Consultant, Rosia Montana Gold Corporation, Rosia Montana Gold Project
www.gabrielresources.com/site/index.aspx
www.gabrielresources.com/site/index.aspx
January 2002 to May 2005
Senior Consultant, CE Delft
www.ce.nl
www.ce.nl
November 1998 to Dec 2001
Senior Consultant, Maves As, and the Ministry of the Environment of Estonia
www.maves.ee & www.envir.ee/en
www.maves.ee & www.envir.ee/en
August 1996 to August 1997
Soil, surface- and groundwater specialist, Eco-Job, The Netherlands
1984 to 1998
Geologist
for precious and base-metals, oil and gas in Australia, Asia, and Europé.
Skills
Skills
Teamwork: leadership, delegation; motivation, team building, facilitation, conflict resolution.
Project management: business development, objectives, goals, targets, budgeting, milestones, evaluation, monitoring, reporting;
Contract management: tendering, evaluation, procurement, financial management, invoicing
Communication: excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
Project management: business development, objectives, goals, targets, budgeting, milestones, evaluation, monitoring, reporting;
Contract management: tendering, evaluation, procurement, financial management, invoicing
Communication: excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
Languages
English – mother tongue
Dutch – advanced
Swedish - advanced
Swedish - advanced
Additional skills
Competent with Microsoft Office and project management software.
Australian drivers licence HC
Dutch drivers licence A, B, C, D.
Key achievements & links
2019-2020 developed and implemented a Sustainable Development Plan
with White Trail Adventure based in Kiruna in Swedish Lapland. White trail is a micro business offering husky-dog tours in the Arctic winter.
2018-2019, created a toolbox and training
modules to help micro- and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises implement their own Sustainable Development Plan.
Free Prior Informed Consent: Benefits & Implications
Presentation at Geoarene 2014
Presentation at Geoarene 2014
The result of 12 months research into FPIC. https://www.slideshare.net/SGU_Sverige/free-prior-and-informed-consent-max-smith-gecko-environment
SAVE Evaluation Final Report (2005)
Lead tender application, co-project manager.
http://ec.europa.eu/smart-regulation/evaluation/search/download.do;jsessionid=Gb8rajzSDNwTSia76M5hnLzsMVNY5TCIhB7Acu-WHt2R1TWm46Q3!1168777535?documentId=2465
SAVE Evaluation Final Report (2005)
Lead tender application, co-project manager.
http://ec.europa.eu/smart-regulation/evaluation/search/download.do;jsessionid=Gb8rajzSDNwTSia76M5hnLzsMVNY5TCIhB7Acu-WHt2R1TWm46Q3!1168777535?documentId=2465
Transport & Environment Chapter: 54 ‘greater’ European states for the Kiev 2003 Council of Ministers meeting (2003)
Lead author
https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/environmental_assessment_report_2003_10/folder_contents?pagenumber:int=2&select=all&pagesize=20
LIFE Environment VIRU-PEIPSI CAMP (2001)
Lead project developer.
Viru and Peipsi Catchment Area Management Plan (LIFE00 ENV/EE/000925)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=1842&docType=pdf
Tapuli Mine & Kaunisvaara Mill Environmental Permit, 2010
Northland Resources. Lead the team which received all environmental permits for Sweden's largest Greenfield mine since the 1960s.
Work commenced in July 2007.
Sahavaara Iron-Ore Exploitation Concession, 2010
Northland Resources. Lead the team which successfully received the exploitation concession. Work commenced in 2009.
Tapuli Iron-Ore Exploitation Concession, 2008
Northland Resources. Lead the team which successfully received the exploitation concession. Work commenced in 2008.
Bio-physical and socio-economic baseline studies, 2007-2009 + ongoing. Extensive suite of studies covering all aspects of Northland Resources assets in Sweden and Finland, including Indigenous Peoples.
Laid the foundation for a successful permitting campaign.