Mining IQ GIS Expert Profile: Nenad Petkovic, Senior Project Geoscientist, Rio Sava Exploration, Rio Tinto, SERBIA

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Mining IQ GIS Expert Profile: Nenad Petkovic, Senior Project Geoscientist, Rio Sava Exploration, Rio Tinto, SERBIA

Nenad Petkovic, graduated from the department of Regional Geology, engaged in the Jadarite development Project as a Senior Geologist. He has more than 18 years’ experience in geological research, of which 9 years’ experience are specific to underground mining and mineral resources exploration. In addition to the basic specialties in the field of structural geology, he has gained considerable experience in the field of Geological Information System and databases management. During his career he has undertaken projects in Serbia, Montenegro, Republic of Ireland and Libya. He has been at Rio Sava Exploration (Rio Tinto) since March 2011.

Please share a little about your role and responsibilities in relation to GIS and spatial data?

I have been working at Rio Sava Exploration, the one of the Rio Tinto branches, as a Senior Project Geoscientist at Jadar lithium-borate project in Western Serbia. Primarily I work as a Structural Geologist, GIS guy and geo-modeller. I provide regional and local structural interpretations, integrated with geologic and seismic subsurface exploration in order to provide characterization and spatial positions and evolution of geological structures and ore bodies to improve lithium-borate reserves.

How long have you worked in the mining industry?

I have been working in the exploration and mining industries mostly 20 years.

How did you embark on a career in the mining industry?

Not a long after graduation,I had found a job at an undergroundcoal mine, I left Belgrade (the capital city of Serbia), and thus began m yjourney through the world of geology, GIS, spatial data and mining.

What advice would you give to others also looking to work in this field?

Sometimes it can be difficult, sometimes it is very easy, but it is always interesting, rewarding and engaging. You have to be focused all the time and concentrated on your work, whether you’re in a desert, Antarctica, the countryside or with the 15 kilos of samples in your back-pack! There is certainly never a dull moment.

What do you enjoy the most about your role?

I especially enjoy that no two days are the same. For me personally, dynamism at work is essential. A half of a day you're on the field and the rest of time is spent in the front of the computer. The variation of my time is really great.

What’s ahead for the mining industry and mining companies in 2012 from your perspective?

Health and safety at workare the basic premises of a well-organized company. At Rio Tinto, they have developed very strong and very respectable policies, standards and programs to save lives and provide safe work environments. With the implementation of new technologies production should become more efficient and safer in the future.

Why is Mining IQ a valuable resource for you?

My expectations from Mining IQ are to provide actual information relating to the mining industry and mineral exploration worldwide and to inform us about the achievements and experiences of companies around the world.

More about Nenad:

A Regional Geologist experienced in various types of geological explorations and dB-GIS management.The basic specialty: Structural Geology. Additional specialty: dB and GISWorking environment: underground and surface. Geological environment: magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Methods: remote sensing, image processing, regional and detailed mapping, statistical analysis.Finally, Nenad is fan of independent music scene and bands such as Wilco , Death Cab for Cutie, The Modest Mouse….