Brief: EMPIRE Published: Monthly David Sargeant, …

1 David Sargeant, managing director, EMPIRE ResourcesWith more than 40 years of experienceas a geologist, consultant and companydirector, David sargeant has beeninvolved in the mining game at a seniorlevel across a number of tells The Australian Mining Reviewabout the next stage in his career asmanaging director of EMPIRE How did you get involved in themining industry?A. I finished university in 1967,and at that time the choices weregovernment, oil or minerals. The nickelboom had just started and there wasscepticism about that. Nonetheless,new opportunities arose in the What was your first job?

2 A. My first jobwas with Broken Hill SouthLtd, which was exploring for phosphate inthe Mt Isa region of north west had high quality staff and it wasa terrific place to learn the explorationindustry. We had several How are you finding your roleas managing director of EmpireResources, ?A. It has been rewarding to learn thecorporate part of the industry. We havemanaged to invest most of our moniesdirectly into exploration, with It's an exciting time to be involvedin the copper-gold industry. Tell us alittle about EMPIRE and some of theprogress the company has made in We believe that the copper sector hasabright future and the company is focused inthis listed on February 1, 2007, andmade its first discovery within one others have followed.

3 This is testamentto our careful vetting of projects is a good place to explore. Theexploration industry is well understchere, and well catered best project, the Yuinmeryproject, is relatively close to Pert}and straddles a main transportroute. Despite this access, we INfound that new discoveries arebeing made, even at in technologies stas electromagnetic surveyinghave enabled new discoveriesmade below surface as Where do you see thegold sector headed?A. Our generation tended trespect financial debt whenwere young, so it is with son-concern [we are] witnessingcurrent debt being run up innorthern hemisphere countrieI believe that this will continto bring financial tension for aperiod yet and gold is the safe haN,at these I expect [the] gold priceto continue to firm until the glol-economy gets back onto its fee*Q.

4 How do you see the outlook for thegold industry in Australia?A. Australia is well placed to benefit fromthe current gold market situation. Goldexploration has lagged in recent years dueto the emphasis on other sectors, especiallyiron and energy. Despite this there havebeen some notable new discoveries and Iwould expect more to would be nicer if there was moresupport for more regional infrastructureto go hand-in-hand with the thing that impresses me most is theflow-on effect from mining. Mining successbrings with it a large supporting role foremployment in the industries supplyingand equipping it.

5 Along with this is theincreased education to fill these What is the best piece of adviceyou have ever received and who gaveAustralian Mining ReviewJanuary, 2011 Page: 94 Section: General NewsRegion: National Type: Not availableSize: : MonthlyCopyright Agency Ltd (CAL) licenced : EMPIREPage 1 of 2 Ref: 86307216it to you?A. Our university lecturer emphasisedaspects of the work ethic, but advisedthat we should take regular breaks andrelax from work. It is important that ouractivities are kept in What part of your career hasprovided the greatest satisfaction?

6 A. Geology and management has givenbroad experience in a wide range of skillsthat can be used in everyday of all though [is] working withinteresting people, the diversity ofbackgrounds, their skills and Who has been your biggestinspiration and why?A. Similar response to the previousquestion. There has not been any What do you do in your leisuretime and how do you manage the work/life balance?A. We have a hobby farm near Perthwhere we grow, in a small way, olives,citrus and pistachio nuts. Travel What is your favourite holidaydestination?A. Iceland and Germany.

7 The formerespecially for the volcanic What is your ultimate retirementdream?A. I love the phrase 'thepurpose of life is alife of purpose'.I wish to pursue several interestsincluding some that I have had little timefor, such as geography, or why people livewhere they current interest is documenting howgeological events have shaped Mining ReviewJanuary, 2011 Page: 94 Section: General NewsRegion: National Type: Not availableSize: : MonthlyCopyright Agency Ltd (CAL) licenced : EMPIREPage 2 of 2 Ref: 86307216