I have
spent most of the past 35 years working as an economic geologist in the area of
exploration and development of base and precious metals. Most of this period has
been as an employee of Trans-National-Corporations (TNC's). I presently act as a
consulting geologist to a joint venture company, bringing together two such
TNC's: Anglo American Corporation and affiliated companies De Beers (Diamonds)
and Minorco (Metals mining outside of Southern Africa), and Normandy Mining
Limited ofAustralia. Normandy is presently through its gold arm PosGold, Australia's
largest gold miner and Anglo American can claim to be the world's largest gold
company producing over 280 tonnes of gold a year, more than twice its nearest
rival Gold Fields of South Africa. In addressing this topic, the role that
Government can, and should play in mineral development, I will be drawing
heavily on some examples from these and other TNC's experience in recent
offshore mining investment.