Dr Richard Tomlinson, BSc Geological Sciences 2001
After graduating from The University of Leeds in 2001 with a degree in Geological Science, I decided to undertake a Ph.D. at Imperial College. The research was concerned with the numerical modelling of hydrothermal fluids within mineralising systems. I had always been interested in economic geology, particularly in the physical aspects of mineralisation and ore formation. I’m sure that this interest was stimulated by being taught by some of the best petrologists, structural geologist and geochemists in academia.
After 4 long and hard years, my Ph.D. was complete and I had to decide what to do next in life. I realised that I wasn’t cut-out to be an academic, so I decided to try my luck in Australia as an exploration geologist. I was lucky enough to be offered a job from the UK, and shortly after the visa was granted I flew to Perth, and just 2 days later I was at work in Meekatharra; a dusty, flat desolate mining town 800km north of Perth. Meekatharra is a hostile place, with 4 continuous months of 40 degree plus heat, but it is also what you make of it. The work was tough but rewarding and a few beers after work never tasted so good! After one year here, I was offered a job with AngloGold Ashanti to work on the Tropicana prospect. Meekatharra soon felt like paradise given that Tropicana is possibly the most remote exploration camp in WA. However, it is stunning scenery, with sand dunes that go-on forever and a real outback adventure that nothing can compare to. Sleeping under the stars next to a campfire is a pretty magical experience.
Western Australia is an amazing place. It’s landmass is approximately 1/3rd the size of Europe but with a population of just 2 million people; 1.8 million of these live in Perth, the rest live in remote towns, villages and mine sites quite literally in the middle of nowhere. Australia was where I learnt my trade as an exploration geologist; I spent 4 years in Western Australia exploring for gold and one year in iron ore exploration in the tropical ‘top-end’ of the Northern Territory. This was a pretty decent job where remote exploration often meant taking the boat and fishing rods to catch supper! Australia is an amazing country with so much to see, and working out there as a geologist is the best way to immerse yourself in its diversity.
Career wise, Australia can offer it all, but after 5 years there I decided I wanted a different challenge, so I started working in gold exploration in southern Mali in West Africa. This is where I currently work and I’m loving it, so far! The job is very different from my previous positions as it is less ‘hands-on’, I am mainly involved with the technical aspects of exploration and with the supervision and training of the Malian national workers. West Africa is an interesting place to work with so much potential for finding the next big deposit. It is massively underexplored and in that respect, it is probably similar to how Australia was 100 years ago.
I feel fortunate that I have managed to travel the world in the name of ‘work’. When I first started studying geology, I really didn’t know where it would take me and what I could do with it, but it can certainly offer you an interesting, different and challenging career. Studying at Leeds was the first big step on the ladder and I am indebted to the University for that.