About
Ulara Resources

Frank Dinapoli – Mining Projects Lead
Frank is an experienced mining professional and development manager with more than thirty-five years of practical experience. Frank’s strengths lie in planning and analysing mining operations and assisting them to meet their strategic and operational needs. He achieves this through application of extensive experience in both mine management and his natural ability to design and develop strategies that address critical impacts on business and operations.
Frank adds value to projects through his passion for mining efficiency, knowledge and experience in mining application and ability to achieve success through precise planning, risk management and effective project execution. Frank has worked extensively with major miners and equipment manufacturers across the globe to develop sustainable mining efficiencies and high productivity outcomes.

Sam Collins –  Group Operations - Governance and Stakeholder Communication

Sam is a seasoned project manager and organisational change manager with a strong track record in extractive industries. Sam has worked globally on successful drilling and geological assessment programs, mine planning, and mine modelling initiatives across a diverse range of commodities, including gold, platinum, copper, coal, silica and iron ore. He is an experienced operational manager who focusses on safety, productivity and mining efficiency. Throughout his career, Sam has cultivated strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including executive teams, technical experts, and operational staff. Sam’s ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts and collaborate across diverse teams has been instrumental in driving successful project and business outcomes. Sam has extensive experience in conducting thorough due diligence assessments, evaluating financial and operational risks, and negotiating complex commercial outcomes. Sam's understanding of the regulatory and financial landscape of the mining industry has enabled him to successfully navigate challenges associated with mergers and acquisitions, ensuring smooth transitions and value creation for all stakeholders. Sam has a diverse skillset and the ability to effectively manage complex projects, collaborate with diverse teams and drive successful commercial outcomes and sustainable growth and success.

Thomas Lowden –  Group Project Operations and Compliance

Thomas is a seasoned entrepreneur with extensive experience in starting, managing and scaling businesses across various sectors, including mining, health and NDIS, security, and events. His proficiency in organisational development, compliance, strategic planning, and leadership has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of these industries. With a particular expertise in mining, Thomas brings a wealth of knowledge in mineral exploration, project development, and operational management, enhancing his ability to tackle sector-specific challenges. His innovative business development strategies, underpinned by a thorough understanding of each industry's nuances, demonstrate his adaptability and success in diverse business landscapes.Thomas's leadership is more than just guidance—it's a force of nature, a relentless pursuit of excellence that propels every business he touches to new heights. His ventures have consistently shattered expectations, thriving in the most competitive landscapes. With a sharp, strategic mind and an unyielding commitment to excellence, Thomas is not just an entrepreneur—he’s a game-changer, leading from the front lines with bold decisions that leave an indelible mark on every industry he enters.

Tim Forbes – Mining Operations Lead
Tim is an experienced senior mine manager with extensive background in the management of large-scale mining and contracting projects within the Australian mining sector. Tim has managed large scale and volume truck and shovel operations, dragline, drill and blast operations in coal, nickel, gold and overburden removal projects. Tim’s talents lie in compliance, logistics, improving mining and operational efficiency, cost reduction, driving revenues and increasing profitability for multi-site, multi-product mining operations. He is adept at analysing under-performing operations, pinpointing areas of deficiency and implementing targeted process improvements that impact performance across key operational metrics. Tim has worked in mining for forty years and has held senior management and supervisory roles within the Australian Mining, Quarrying, and Contracting Industries.

Bill Hayes – Associate, Principal Geologist (BSc, METM(UQ), FAusIMM, MGSA, FIQ)
S.W. (Bill) Hayes is a Principal Consulting Geologist. He has more than 50 years’ experience in exploration, mining, commodity quality evaluation and beneficiation, product and marketing specifications, mine planning, and project management. He has held the positions of Senior Geologist, Exploration Manager, and Company Director for private and public mining and exploration companies. As well as his geological credentials, Bill is an experienced tenement manager, project manager and production engineer.

Hardi Yanto – Pit Design and Draftsperson – Geologist
Hardi has worked extensively on coal seam pit design in East and West Kalimantan for some of Indonesia’s largest mining concerns. He is an experienced and qualified geologist who is adept at converting down hole data into meaningful pit designs and production schedules. He is an experienced scenario modeller for open pit operations across a variety of resource types. Hardi contributes a wealth of knowledge and practical skills to mining projects through exploration, planning, construction and production scheduling.

Dr Wayne Davies – Beneficiation and Processing Engineer Associate
Wayne is a Chemical Engineer by trade with a wealth of experience in process engineering and minerals beneficiation. His areas of expertise include: innovative process and plant designs for industry, fuels, oil and gas refining, biodiesel, waste recycling, cryogenics, heat exchanger design, equipment innovations, plant troubleshooting and biological processes. He provides knowledge and skills in the areas of processing plant design, mineral beneficiation and product definition for multi-product resource types. He is passionate about data, interpretation and fact based decision making.

Fred Bruvel – Associate, Geophysicist (MSc, MBA)
Fred is an experienced geoscientist with private sector and government experience. He has worked for 27 years as a senior geoscientist with the Queensland Department of Mines and Energy (DME). Fred specialises in the geology of gold, coal and other industrial metal deposits. Fred is an experienced and professional project consultant with project credits in Australia and internationally.

Mark Gouris – Processing Engineer
Mark has a background in the Australian Defence Force and 25+ years of practical experience designing, building and maintaining processing plants for gold, silica, tin, zinc, iron and coal. He is an experienced fabricator, process design engineer and machinist.
Mark is adept at generating and constructing bespoke processing solutions for complex, multi-mineral operations and the ongoing management and maintenance of those solutions.

John Beck – Drill Program Lead
John has been a hands-on drill lead for more than 35 years. He has worked across all major Australian resource types to conduct exploration and geotechnical drill programs. He is an innovative problem solver, team leader and project manager.