He has also played an active role in bringing greenfields coal exploration projects through to development.

“I have been fortunate enough to work on a variety of large-scale mining and energy projects throughout Australia and Asia,” Creech said.

“Furthermore, my PhD research led directly to the discovery of what is now the Mangoola Mine operated by Xstrata in the Hunter Valley.”

Creech’s PhD states: “This research has also resulted in a re-evaluation of the coal resources of the upper Hunter Valley, including the identification of a potential major open cut coal mine and the discovery of over a billion tonnes of economic coal resources.”

Prior to joining SRK, Creech held broad managerial roles, most recently at Dart Energy in Beijing and Australia, Arrow Energy and Peabody Pacific in Queensland, where he managed key exploration activities and joint ventures.

Creech joins SRK’s Brisbane office with over 30 years’ geological and geotechnical expertise spanning the coal, coal seam gas and minerals industries, in exploration and production-based roles.

SRK principal consultant and director Chris Woodfull said: “Michael is highly regarded for his extensive technical skills, which will be invaluable in due diligence and evaluation work,” he said.

“He has also authored numerous JORC reports and has a passion for geology, so we are very pleased to have Michael join us.

“Michael’s extensive exploration and operational experience should also be of great value for clients targeting new exploration areas or having challenges at an operational level.”