Phil de Graaf, P.Eng., FAusIMM, has more than 30 years’ experience in design and implementation of underground and surface excavations in mining and heavy civil engineering projects. His experience covers various stages of mine development across studies, operational implementation, and optimisation, and decommissioning through to closure. He has undertaken mine closure studies and reviews from an owner’s, consultant’s, and NGO’s (World Bank) perspective, across Australia, Canada, and Southern Africa. He holds postgraduate degrees from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and Queen’s University. Phil been a member of, and has led, major mine geotechnical review boards (GRBs) as well as in investment decision teams in previous roles with Rio Tinto, DeBeers and Anglo American. As director of Giraffe Mining Consultants, he provides independent expert review and audit services to mining companies globally.