Expertise in acid rock drainage, mine site water quality modelling, water treatment, metal precipitation and biohydrometallurgy

Nearly 40 years experience in North and South America, Mexico, Europe and Africa

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Rick Lawrence is a consulting engineer internationally known for his work in acid rock drainage, mine site water quality, water treatment, metal precipitation, and the biooxidation of gold and base metal ores and concentrates. He has carried out projects in these fields in many parts of the world, including North and South America, Mexico, Europe and Africa.

Rick obtained a BSc with Honours (1970) in Mining Engineering and a PhD (1974) in Biohydrometallurgy from the University of Wales.  He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the Province of British Columbia and Chartered Engineer in the UK.  He is a Member of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Fellow of the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (UK).  Rick is conversant in Spanish.

Rick is the author and co-author of over 150 technical papers, including two patents, on biohydrometallurgy, mine waste management, acid rock drainage, water treatment, and the processing of refractory gold ores.   He was principal editor of book Fundamental and Applied Biohydrometallurgy; author of the Acid Rock Drainage Prediction Manual; author of two chapters in books on biohydrometallurgy and bioprocessing; author and co-author of published reports for MEND and other government agencies; author and co-author of over 300 technical reports on laboratory investigations, studies and consulting assignments performed for the mining industry, consulting firms and government agencies. 

In addition to being Principal of Lawrence Consulting Ltd since 1987, Rick has held a number of positions in industry, research and in academia, including:

BioteQ Environmental Technologies Inc., Vancouver, Canada, Executive Vice President, 2000-10; Senior Consultant, Evaluations and Development, 2010-11.

Simons Peru S.A. (now Amec), Lima Peru -  Regional Manager (Latin America), Mining Environment, 1998-2000.

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada - Head, Department of Mining and Mineral Process Engineering, 1996-97; Associate Professor and Chair in Mining Environment, 1992-98; Adjunct Professor, 1998-current

Coastech Research Inc, North Vancouver, B.C., Canada,  Vice President (Technical), Director, and Principal, 1986-91

B.C. Research, Vancouver, Canada - Head, Division of Extractive Metallurgy, 1984-86; Senior Research Engineer, 1980-84

Sherritt Gordon Mines Ltd, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada, Research Metallurgist, 1976-77

Rick continues to be an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia.  This year  (2011-12) he is responsible for a senior year course on Mine and Plant Feasibility Studies.