DIG CT

In four short years, Craig transformed Barrick’s drilling operations from satisfactory to best-in-class. Craig’s contribution to the minerals exploration industry is widespread and recognised significantly improving operating standards, reducing and preventing fatalities and serious injuries, while improving productivity, saving time and money.

Craig was Barrick’s representative on a key multinational collaborative research project – Deep Exploration Technologies Cooperative Research Centre. The largest program by far was the drilling component, and a key outcome was the development of an innovative coiled tube drilling rig.

While at Barrick, Craig invested considerable time to train and develop his team into an integrated team of professionals that our exploration group heavily relied on. Craig’s readiness to guide and share is just one attribute that differentiates him from other subject matter experts. He’s highly regarded and respected. Notably, Craig’s expertise and commitment led to Barrick Nevada’s minerals exploration division instituting best-in class standards, elevating the group to the industry’s forefront.

I’m Executive Vice President Exploration and Growth for Barrick Gold Corporation – the world’s largest gold producer. I’m also a Senior Partner of the company, managing Exploration budgets ranging from $120-550 million. The largest portion of expenditure is drilling. Our drilling operations span many countries in multiple continents. Some time ago, I required a functional lead and expert to oversee all our drilling operations. This position required a unique blend of deep drilling experience, strong interpersonal skills across multiple cultures, and superior commercial acumen.

After an extensive international search lasting five months, Craig Lavrick was identified as a unique candidate who met all our criteria. He was employed at the time, but such a standout candidate that the company was prepared to headhunt him from his employer and relocate him on an international assignment, bearing all associated costs.

Craig was employed in the role of Senior Director, Global Drilling Services until June 11, 2018. In four short years, Craig transformed Barrick’s drilling operations from satisfactory to best-in-class. Craig’s contribution to the minerals exploration industry is widespread and recognised significantly improving operating standards, reducing and preventing fatalities and serious injuries, while improving productivity, saving time and money.

Craig was Barrick’s representative on a key multinational collaborative research project – Deep Exploration Technologies Cooperative Research Centre. The largest program by far was the drilling component, and a key outcome was the development of an innovative coiled tubing drilling rig, currently being commercialized and being trialed in the Nevada field at present.

While at Barrick, Craig invested considerable time to train and develop his team into an integrated team of professionals that our exploration group heavily relied on. Craig’s readiness to guide and share is just one attribute that differentiates him from other subject matter experts. He’s highly regarded and respected. His resolve to first compile and then refine, what has since become the industry’s preferred operational reference guide – the Global Drilling Standard, has led to widespread improvements in safety and increased productivity across all Barrick sites. Notably, Craig’s expertise and commitment led to Barrick Nevada’s minerals exploration division instituting best-in class standards, elevating the group to the industry’s forefront. Craig’s been asked to speak at several international conferences – notably Future of Mining Americas, DrillFest Australasia, 2018’s Mining Show (Dubai), Future of Mining Sydney and the American Exploration and Mining Association.

Craig’s displacement from Barrick is due to a shift in the company’s business model, and by no means a negative indication of Craig’s performance. The decision was beyond Craig’s control or my influence, as the organisation focuses on global decentralisation. Should circumstance or the opportunity arise, I would employ Craig without hesitation. Moreover, I will be applying Craig’s analytical insight via his newly established consultancy.

I consider Craig instrumental to the global industry, given his unique blend of deep technical expertise, commercial acumen, demonstrated track record of achievements, coupled with his drive to innovate and improve. Moreover, he’s a person of strong values and utmost integrity. I have no doubt Craig will continue to be a valuable contributor to our industry, and a productive contributor to society in general. Please don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss this recommendation further.

Rob Krcmarov

CEO, Hecla Mining Company
(Former Exec. VP – Exploration & Growth, Barrick)

Craig is highly respected within the minerals exploration industry, and his contributions are impactful and widespread.

His dedication has contributed to preventing serious injuries and saving millions of dollars in lost time and production, within Barrick and his predecessor companies (BHP Billiton, Goldfields and Western Mining Corporation).

Craig’s commitment and determination have led to great improvements within Barrick and the minerals exploration industry. Craig developed and drove the implementation of what is now known as the Global Drilling Standard, the company’s minimum standard for drilling operations. The Standard’s content remains vital to realising improvements at all drilling operations, particularly safety and production, and it is emerging as the industry’s global reference / benchmarking tool.

Craig is acutely aware of his impact upon daily operations, acting with integrity and regard to all, and to every asset. His focus, specialised skillset and willingness to share and mentor deem him a highly desirable ambassador and asset. Every minerals exploration company could benefit from Craig’s passionate input.

I wish Craig great success. I have zero hesitation in employing him in the future. In fact, I look forward to working with him – utilising his critical insight and expert advice when he commences his own consultancy, representing an ideal opportunity for the entire industry to benefit from Craig’s extensive skillset.

Marian Moroney

Head of Discovery, BHP
(Former VP – New Exploration Opportunities, Barrick)

I spend my professional time traversing the globe, compelling others to invest in quality products and equipment to realize resounding results. Craig Lavrick is one of the few industry experts and executives who speak my language. We’re committed to the global development of minerals exploration via change and innovation.

As Global General Manager at one of the industry’s largest supply groups, Craig and I meet regularly to discuss and share innovative technologies and industry developments, wherever we travel to for the purposes of minerals exploration – Australia, North or South America. I find Craig’s advice and insights fascinating; and invaluable to my learning and knowledge sharing.

With youth on his side, Craig’s already a veteran – amassing 30+ years industry experience at the age of 47. A born leader and mentor, Craig’s zeal is evidenced through his dedication to upholding safety with a ‘zero harm’ policy. His tireless promotion of safety and innovation has resulted in an advanced global workplace where wellbeing and productivity align.

There aren’t too many drillers who rise to Craig’s stature, or can boast as to having penned a literary work. Craig is credited with devising and perfecting the Global Drilling Standard – an industry reference manual focused on achieving and maintaining daily operational compliance to minimize and prevent injury, improve production, reduce cost and avoid environmental and equipment damage.

Craig is respected throughout the minerals exploration industry for his breadth of experience and inclusive approach to existing process and emerging technologies. I look forward to our continued working relationship, acquiring and applying his expert advice via his new consultancy.

Troy Giesler

Retired, Giesler Enterprises
(Former Global General Manager, IMDEX)

I am the proud owner and President/CEO of National Exploration Wells and Pumps – a North American drilling company. I can attest that my company has greatly benefited from Craig Lavrick’s expertise. He has singlehandedly transformed not just my company, but the global drilling realm with his drive to improve and innovate, and his heightened focus on safety – providing regular and relevant training, always imparting his extensive know-how.

I first met Craig in 2012, when he was the Global Drilling Specialist at BHP Billiton, based in Asia-Pacific. Back then, I had hoped he’d relocate to the United States. I could foresee his professional passion and dedication making a resounding impact on the North American minerals exploration industry, as he had already done in Australia, parts of Asia, Africa and Europe. Fortunately, he relocated to the USA in 2014 with Barrick.

As a business owner within the North American minerals exploration market, I’ve consulted with Craig on countless occasions when partnering on projects. He is a trusted, reliable subject matter expert and his breadth of onsite and executive experience has him held in high regard by all. Safety is paramount to Craig, as he advocates for innovative uniformity throughout the industry via the Drilling Standard – an operating manual that he penned. The Standard has altered the way we do business in North America and for the better. I cannot think of any other individual who can claim to have minimized incidents – injury, environmental and capital damage, while reducing cost and improving productivity.

Craig has transformed North American drilling for the better, introducing personnel and equipment into Nevada, elevating the region to best-in-industry standard. This simply would not have occurred without Craig’s knowledge, expertise and drive.

It’d be North America’s loss if Craig were to relocate to Asia-Pacific. North and South America’s minerals exploration industry will continue to flourish with Craig based in the USA. My company will be utilizing Craig’s consultancy service, and I wish him much success and good fortune in his endeavors.

Jeffrey D. Morgan

President & CEO
National Exploration Wells & Pumps

Myself and the previous Chief Executive Officer of Deep Exploration Technologies Cooperative Research Centre (DET CRC), Prof. Richard Hillis, regularly sought Craig Lavrick’s expert advice to assist with our group’s ‘think tank’ – developing and implementing innovative thought and design into actual technologies that improve and influence minerals exploration globally.

Craig is a natural leader – analytical, focused and forthright. With over 30 years’ experience, his passion for innovation and safety has led to remarkable within the industry. Resulting in fewer incidents and increased productivity. He has made a name for himself and he is someone who we are proud to be associated with.

Craig’s determination to champion innovation and progress, coupled with his willingness to share and mentor others is to be commended. His obvious affection for, and tireless generosity toward the minerals exploration industry ensures it remains at the forefront of excellence and innovation.

We’ve known and worked with Craig since the DET CRC’s inception in 2009. He was a pivotal contributor to the group, and his expert knowledge and advise led to significant industry progressions and improvement. The DET CRC group will soon be disbanded given it’s at the end of a specified eight-year term. Craig would be an obvious inclusion if I were to reconvene or establish another ‘think tank’.

I hope to be able to draw upon Craig’s expert advice via his consultancy in the very near future. He is an industry paragon and his vast knowledge and unique skillset are invaluable.

Ian Hardwick

Former CEO, DET CRC

DIG CT Pty Ltd delivered stratigraphic drilling for the Geological Survey of South Australia and MinEx CRC Northern Gawler National Drilling Initiative (NDI) collaboration.

The coiled tubing (CT) drilling campaign successfully drilled Eromanga and Arckaringa basin sediments and basement rocks from late September 2024 until early March 2025.

The challenging conditions provided a good testing ground for the RoXplorer500’s capabilities, including representative chip sampling in various lithologies and successful core recovery at the bottom of the hole. Cuttings will be used for sampling purposes and retained as a drilling reference. Researchers and resource explorers will use these results to sample and study the geology and economic potential of the region.

DIG CT executed the program safely and to high environmental standards.

Andrew Bailey

CEO, MinEx CRC

Joanne Miller – Deep Industry Understanding, Attention to Detail Wordsmith and ‘Fine-tooth Comber’ of Content

Jo was a breath of fresh air for Boart Longyear’s social media and corporate communications. She was always upbeat, and I loved her witty yet professional content to everything she wrote. I could always depend on her “get it done” attitude and willingness to help wherever she could. The smile on her face day-in and day-out was a refreshing welcome to all who interacted with her. She’s not only an amazing writer, but an amazing person who I felt lucky to work with.

Arla Liebmann

Executive Assistant to the CEO, Board & C-Suite, Boart Longyear

With creativity and unique writing style, Joanne demonstrated to me there’s always room for improvement. Matex are embedded in the drilling industry, and we utilized Jo’s strong copywriting and editing capabilities for technical papers. Her deep understanding of our industry, its many challenges and technical language resulted in marked improvement and refinement of materials for enhanced clarity, logic and a comprehensive professional style. I highly recommend Joanne for your copywriting and editing needs.

Juan-Luis Valenzuela

Regional Manager, Matex Drilling Fluids

Mudex utilised Joanne to wordsmith an industry feature publication, and she did a fantastic job translating heavy technical data into an easy-to-read, logical case study without omitting critical and specific information. Joanne’s strong writing skills and professionalism are exemplary, and I’ll continue to recommend her, and seek her expert assistance in the future.

Dave Williams

Director, Mudex Drilling Fluids

Jo was a terrific asset, who always produced top quality communications work for JLL APAC. Her contribution is missed.

John Forrest

Former CEO, Jones Lang LaSalle, Asia Pacific

I worked with Jo at WestOne Publishing in my role as Learning Media Specialist, and she as Editor. Jo always displayed exceptional attention to detail while she worked on very diverse syllabus content. We frequently worked under tight deadlines to create web and print-based content, which she excelled at and revelled in. Friendly and vivacious under pressure, Jo always had time to advise on constructing accurate content for specific audiences. She took the time to elocute herself effectively to the team and isn’t afraid to argue a valid point, which she was most often correct on. I highly recommend Joanne as a technical resource and as a colleague.

Darren Bowers

Former WestOne Publishing Learning Media Specialist

It is very rare to find a professional who is both creative and highly organised. Someone who can take a vision or brief and translate it into practical implementation. A person who can engage and successfully influence people through the vertical structure of an organisation. In the two years I worked with Jo, I saw all clearly demonstrated, and always with a wonderful attitude. Jo is a pleasure to work with, and I categorically recommend her.

Nathan Windebank

Former Drake Executive Recruitment Director, Managing Director, PF Olsen Australia

I engaged Jo to do a full proof-read of a 100+ page brand guidelines document for a US client. She not only delivered this within budget, brief and timeline, she also provided us with additional creative and editorial suggestions to improve the document overall. Such great experience to hire a service provider who really takes initiative and intuitively understands and over-delivers against the requirements.

Kara Evans

Global Marketing Leader and Brand Strategist

Aside from being hilarious and having a great personality, Jo has been a great asset to our team. We have been lucky enough to have had Joanne as our Editor – ‘fine-tooth combing’ our property listings and our blog content. She’s proven to be a very valuable asset to our team, adding much-needed flair to our site that has been much appreciated by our audience. Her unique writing style and quick turnaround times make us stand out from the competition. We love having Jo as part of our team and would highly recommend her to anyone.

Matt Sneyd

Managing Director, Real Estate Developer, Trusted Advisor

If you’re in need of a Freelance Writer, Editor or Proofreader, I highly recommend Jo from The Word Surgeon. I found Jo to be extremely professional and creative with the ability to meet tight deadlines and think outside the box. Her attention to detail and quality of work have helped my clients stand out and get noticed within their field. Thank you, Joanne.

Lee Rekman

Director, Lethal Digital