The Team
Dr John Gurney (PhD Geochemistry)
Chairman
John’s specialty is the geochemistry of diamond indicator minerals, on which he has published widely. He provides high-level input into the consulting division's technical assignments and plays a key role in the evaluation of diamonds, microdiamonds and the diamond potential of kimberlites. He is also involved in the development of mineral exploration strategies for clients and has general oversight of the MS Group’s field and laboratory exploration methodologies. John is an Emeritus Professor of Geochemistry at the University of Cape Town (UCT). He was also the Head of the Kimberlite Research Group at UCT and for many years a top-rated research scientist by the South African Foundation for Research Development.
Dr Rory Moore (B.Sc Hons, PhD Geochemistry)
CEO
Rory has extensive experience in the international diamond exploration industry and, together with John Gurney, served as a primary geological consultant to DiaMet Minerals in the lead-up to the discovery of the Ekati Diamond Mine in Canada in 1991. Rory was subsequently hired by BHP Minerals where he established and managed the highly successful BHP diamond exploration team in Canada. Prior to re-joining Mineral Services in 2003, Rory was the President and CEO of a Canadian public diamond exploration company.
Dr Tom Nowicki, P.Geo. (B.Sc Hons Geology, MSc Minerals Exploration, PhD Geochemistry)
Technical Director
Tom has overall responsibility for the technical aspects of the MS Group’s consulting, laboratory and operations divisions. His role includes general mineral exploration consulting, the evaluation of the diamond potential of kimberlites and exploration samples and geological and resource modelling of kimberlites. Tom has carried out extensive research in kimberlite geology, indicator mineral chemistry and geochemistry and has published several peer-reviewed papers on these topics.
Casey Hetman, P.Geo. (B.Sc Hons, MSc Geology)
Director Consulting Services
Casey is responsible for the management and technical oversight of the MS Group’s consulting division. His primary consulting roles include the development of geological resource models and the prioritisation of evaluation programmes. The geological models produced are used to guide the evaluation of kimberlite pipes and for mine planning purposes. They are developed by integrating drill hole logging and sampling results, petrography and applied kimberlite volcanology.
Kimberley Webb, P.Geo. (B.Sc Hons, MSc Geology)
Principal Geoscientist
Kimberley's consulting roles include evaluating the diamond potential of kimberlites and developing geological resource models through multidisciplinary dataset integration and analysis. She also conducts project reviews, technical audits and specialist geological investigations and is involved in the training and development of kimberlite geologists.
Alexandra Mauler, P.Geo. (MSc, PhD Geology)
Senior Geoscientist
Alexandra’s main consulting services focus on petrography outside of the diamond industry. She provides applied mineralogy in the field of environmental, mining and exploration geology. Alex is also responsible for specific analytical services related to mineralogy, including SEM-based studies, X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe analysis.
Margaret Harder, P.Geo. (B.Sc Hons, MSc Geology)
Project Geoscientist
Margaret’s primary consulting roles focus on the development of geological models for kimberlites, including drill core logging and sampling, petrographic analysis and three-dimensional computer modelling. She has contributed to kimberlite evaluation projects ranging from early stage exploration to established mines. Margaret also has a background in mantle studies and physical volcanology.
Bahjat Khoshaba (MSc Geology)
Laboratory Manager
Bahjat is the manager of our Vancouver laboratory where his responsibilities include the daily operations of the DMS mineral separation facility, including oversight of rigorous quality assurance/control systems to ensure precise and reproducible results. Bahjat has developed calibrations and standard operating procedures for a number customised components that have been incorporated into the various mineralogical and diamond processing flow sheets available to our clients. Bahjat has an MSc in Geology (Sedimentology) from the University of Bagdad and sixteen years of experience in Canadian diamond laboratories.
Kendra Siemens, P.Geo. (BSc Geology)
Project Geologist
Kendra is the Technical Supervisor and Quality Manager for the Cape Town Laboratory. She is responsible for the implementation of a quality management system in the laboratory that complies with the ISO 17025 standard. Kendra is also involved in consulting work with regard to kimberlite evaluation and prioritisation. She has been trained by Dr John Gurney to undertake microdiamond and macrodiamond characterisation and evaluation work and is currently being trained as a kimberlite petrographer. Kendra earned her B.Sc in Geology at the University of Alberta.
