The GCM Team
Management has proven exploration, development and production experience in Australia and overseas.
GCM draws on a professional network of long-standing colleagues with a wide spectrum of exploration, permitting, mining, engineering knowledge, metals recovery, renewable energy production.
Extensive history of successfully exploring and mining in Victoria.
Proven project delivery experience.
Scheduled project pipeline of developments (exploration – development – production – repurposing).
Board Members/Directors
Each of the Board members and Directors have over 35 years of experience in the management and development of mining projects in Australia and internationally. The team is very experienced in managing the development of mining and processing facilities, Past project delivery means that GCM is very experienced and well-resourced to deliver all stages of the GCM gold mining and processing development program. See the organizational chart to see each of the directors reports and subordinates.
Operational Experience
The two co-founders of GCM and Current Management have over 300 years of combined experience in exploration and the construction and operation of mines. They and the wider GCM management, have a proven track record of project delivery, particularly in the current Victoria regulatory environment.
Dean Pontin
Managing Director
Dean has a proven track record in permitting, project development, construction and operational activities in the gold and copper mining/processing environment. Direct responsibilities include all aspects of project management, risk assessment, operations management, short-term and long-term planning and engineering, operations supervision, environmental permitting and engineering, budgeting / cost control, project work as well as contractor negotiation and supervision. Proven ability to plan, assess risk, develop and implement strategies, co-ordinate and manage project teams and resources to common goals. Ability to integrate projects into current operations with good risk management and business continuity planning. Experienced in dealing with multicultural and multinational projects with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Development and implementation of project methodologies at strategic and operational levels.
Relevant Experience:
- Golden Camel Mining – Central Victoria – Director/ Proponent: Permitting, development, and operation.- 2014 – current
- Round Oak Minerals ( formerly CopperChem and Exco Resources.) – Mt Isa, QLD –Barbara Copper Mine – Project Manager/SSE 2018 – 2019.
- Elysium Resources (ASX: EYM) – Burraga Copper Mine, NSW – Director and Project Development Manager – 2014 -15.
- Toka Tindung Gold Project – Sulawesi, Indonesia – Operations Manager – 2006 – 2012
- Sepon Project – Laos – Mining Manager – 2003 – 2005
- Batu Hijau Project – Sumbawa, Indonesia – Senior Mining Engineer – 1997 – 2003
- Porgera Gold Mine – Placer – Senior Production/Planning Engineer – 1994 – 1997
- Misima Gold Mine – Misima Island, PNG – Mine surveyor/Production Engineer – 1989 – 1993
Chris Stephenson
Commerce Director
Focussed and results-driven professional with over 25 years of experience in managing the financial and commercial affairs of multi-national entities, nurturing stakeholder relations, and implementing strategies to enhance revenue and profitability of businesses. An extensive background working with private and public companies in the mining and construction industries across the Asia Pacific. Areas of Expertise in Financial Planning and Analysis, Stakeholder Management and Strategic Planning.
Relevant experience
- Financial Consultant – Borecam Services – June 2025 to Current
- Chief Financial Officer – Global Drilling and Exploration Group – May 2021 – May 2025
- Project Manager – Lang Xang Minerals – July 2020 – Feb 2021
- Senior Commercial Manager – PT Agincourt Resources – Jan 2011 – June 2020
- Commercial Manager – Archipelago Resources – Apr 2005 – Dec 2010
- Finance and Administration Manager – Feb 2003 – Mar 2005
Dave Morison
Projects Director
Education : Bachelor of Applied Science (Minerals Processing). RMIT.
Relevant experience
- GCM and Mincore Process Engineer – 2017 to Current.
- General Manager –Toka Tindung / Tuju Bukik Gold Mines – Indonesia – 2004 to 2016.
- General Manager -Chatree Gold Mine – Thailand – 2000 to 2003.
- General Manager / Process Manager – Mt Muro Gold Mine – Indonesia – 1995 to 1999
- Process Manager -Porgera Gold Mine – PNG – 1990 to 1994.
- Process Engineer – Horn Island Gold Mine – Australia. – 1988 to 1989.
Area Managers
Each of the company’s operational areas has a manager that has the overall responsibility for the delivery of the safety, environmental, social, infrastructure and operations budgets and programs for that area. Most of the area managers have over 20 years of experience in the management and development of mining projects in Australia and internationally. The area managers are well resourced and supported by the reports and subordinates in the organizational chart to deliver their assigned deliverables within budgets and to the company’s safety, environmental, social, and quality policies.
Ken Holms
Construction Manager
Mr Holms has over 35 years’ experience in the construction industry, primarily in the delivery of mining, minerals processing and renewable energy facilities. He has over 15 years’ experience as a construction manager and is tasked with the management of the contractors and company personnel used to construct the Nagambie Process Hub. He is responsible for delivering the construction and commissioning schedule of the process facility to the project’s safety, environmental and quality standards.
Peter Johnson
Area Community, Employment and Sustainability Manager
Mr Johnson has over 20 years’ experience in community development, employee relations and developing sustainability programs. He is responsible for implementing the company’s Environmental, Sustainability and Governance (ESG) programs. He is currently tasked with recruitment and onboarding of the construction and operational workforce and managing the company’s community social license, which enables the company to operate at several sites with the local community’s support.
Gary Campbell
Area Safety and Training Manager
Mr Campbell has over 30 years’ experience as an operations manager with a focus on safety systems implementation. He is currently tasked with updating all of the company’s safety, environmental, construction and operations documentation. He will be responsible for integration of the mining and haulage activities and has previously acted as GCM’s mining manager during the trial mining periods.
Dave English
Process Manager
Mr English has over 30 years’ experience in metals processing. He has worked on several deposits in Central Victoria and has previously processed the Golden Camel Ore bodies. He is currently tasked with process engineering and process optimization of the toll treatment facility. He will be responsible for the commissioning and operation readiness of the toll treatment facility. He will be the Process Plant Area manager and have operational control for all gold processing activities at the Nagambie Process Hub.
Neb Zurkic
Geology Manager
Education : Adelaide University Master of Geostatistics (currently undertaking); MacQuarie University Master of Mineral and Energy Economics Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology; Bachelor of Applied Science (Geology). Professional memberships : Member, The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM) Member, Australian Institute of Geoscientists (RPGeo) Member, Indonesian Society of Economic Geologists (CPI-102)
Relevant experience
- Principle & Director – Zurkic Mining Consultants Pty Ltd (ZMC)– 2007 to Current.
- Director / Partner – Golden Camel Mining Pty Ltd – 2015 to Current.
- Technical Director – Elysium Resources Ltd – June 2014 to June 2016.
- Technical Director – Republic Gold Ltd – November 2007 to June 2012.
- Advisor – Newmont Ghana Gold (via ZMC) – July 2007 to June 2010.
- Senior Geologist – AMC Consultants Pty Ltd – June 2006 to January 2007.
- Senior Supervising Engineer – Minera Yanacocha S.R.L (Peru) – May 2004 to June 2006.
- Senior Geological Engineer – PT Newmont NT (Indonesia) – April 1999 to May 2004.
- Senior Project Evaluation Geologist – Perseverance Corporation Pty Ltd (Fosterville, Victoria) – March 1993 to March 1999.
James Earle
Renewable Energy Hub Manager
Mr Earle has over 20 years’ experience in permitting, government consulting and company management. He has completed project development on several Victorian developments and is the CEO of the Nagambie Resources Limited, the JV partner in the renewable energy hub. He will be responsible for the commissioning and operation of the renewable energy hub facilities and sales of energy and byproducts from the hub’s facilities.