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HELLO, I AM

Caelen Burand.

Passionate Mining Engineering and Geoscience Consultant & Leader

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Caelen Burand

University of Arizona

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Bachelor of Science:

Mining Engineering & Geoscience.

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Expected Graduation: Spring 2023

caeburand@gmail.com

(719) 250-2424

About

About

MY MOTIVATION

With a passion and dedication to promote effective and responsible mining, I intend to maximize holistic stakeholder wealth generation while minimizing and eliminating negative externalities involved with the discovery, extraction, and processing of mineral resources through researching/leading innovative projects. I seek to reach the edges of our knowledge and then expand our knowledge with novel solutions.

Nov. 2019–Oct. 2022

Education

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED

Jan 2022–Present

University of Arizona Graduate College – Tucson, AZ

Master of Engineering - Mining Engineering (Sustainability)

Current Positions/Projects

WHERE I PROBLEM SOLVE

Oct. 2022– Present

Mercury Free Mining. Lead Researcher

Helping lead the research into mercury-free mining technologies for artisanal and small-scale gold miners.

Nov. 2019–Oct. 2022
Aug 2019–Present

University of Arizona Honors College – Tucson, AZ

Bachelor of Science; Mining Engineering (Mineral Processing)

& Geoscience (Gem Science)

GPA: 4.0/4.0

Achievements: Dean's Honor, Lowell Institute of Mineral Resources Student Spotlight, UA SME Student Chapter VP of Professional Development.

2014–2019

Centennial High School -- Pueblo, CO

High School Diploma

GPA: 4.0/4.0

Achievements: Nationally Competitive Speaker and Debater, Senior Class President, and NSDA Student of the Year for S. Colorado.

Mercury Free Mining. Director of Operations

Lead the revitalization of the organization including launching an international research group which is testing a novel system for eradicating mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

Dec. 2019–Present

Young Mining Professionals - Founder & Director

Founded first US chapter for enhancing the mining industry. Host speaking events, provide member resources, and highlight mining leaders. Founded the Our Resources podcast to catalyze objective conversations about mineral resources.

Sept. 2021–Present

QUARTZ Research Hub - Director

With the School of Mining and Mineral Resources we founded the QUARTZ Research Hub which has launched several programs for enriching the next generation of mining professionals.

Education & Experience
Competencies and Courses

Independent Ventures

Where my Ambitions and Passions Come to Fruition

Experience

MOST NOTABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

ASM Consulting.

Artisanal and small-scale mining consultant for building social license with ASM on concessions, economic development, and helping improve the sustainability of ASM. Experience in South American gold mines and African diamond mines.

Public Speaking.

Nationally Competitive Extemporaneous Speaker, Congressional Debater, and Public Forum Debater, 2014-2019. Ranked in the top 100 debaters and lead speech and debate team as president.

May 2020/2021–August 2020/2021

Nevada Gold Mines. Mining Engineering Intern.

Contributed to Mine Operations, Planning, Ore Control, Environmental, and Geotech. Tasked with improving operational efficiency. Created a Fragmentation Camera, Automated Drill and Blast QA/QC Program, Automated Short-Term Daily Mapping, and Helped Diagnose Kerogen Encapsulation in Disseminated Carlin-Type Gold Deposit.

May-August 2017

Last Chance Mine. Mucker.

Contributed to Mine Operations, Planning, Ore Control, Environmental, and Geotech. Tasked with improving operational efficiency. Created a Fragmentation Camera, Automated Drill and Blast QA/QC Program, Automated Short-Term Daily Mapping, and Helped Diagnose Kerogen Encapsulation in Disseminated Carlin-Type Gold Deposit.

Matlab.

Created Fragmentation Camera, Modelled Geophysical Subsurface Features, and Completed Other Geoscientific Inquiry.

Event Creation & Execution.

Coordinated and Deployed Online/In-Person Networking Events, Presentations, Receptions, and Professional Development Events through YMP and MFM.

Excel

Extensive Experience with Data Processing, Macro Development, PowerPivot, Graphing, and Chemdraw. Forecasted Haul Truck Cycle for Nevada Gold Mines, Automated QA/QC Processes, and Conducted Statistical Evaluations of Large Data Sets to Improve Mining.

Lapidary Arts.

Created Business, Cholla Lapidary, to Sell Self-Sourced Cabochons, Mineral Specimens, and Other Lapidary Works. Created Unique Agate Mezzanine Knives.

AutoCAD.

Practiced Producing Models, Surfaces, Plots, and Designing Plans for Goldstrike Open Pit Mine. Created Script for Converting Drone-Produced Point Clouds Into Clean 3D Topo Maps

Additional Software.

Deswik Suite, Microsoft Suite, MineStar, Jigsaw, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Spark, Datawrapper, and Figma.

Additional Courses.

Geophysics, Macro/Micro-Economics, Psychology, Statistics, Political Science, Supply Chain Logistics, Architectural Design, World History, and Logistics Engineering

Sought Projects

Character

Interests & Hobbies

Purposeful

Creative Project-Based Problem Solving

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Planning & Execution

Goal-Oriented

Curious

Systems Thinking

Calm Under Pressure

Effective Communicator

Self-Sufficient

Rockhounding

Mountain Biking

Design

Cooking

Machine Tinkering

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Relevant Courses & Competencies

RESULTS OF EXPERIENCES

Economic Mineral Exploration/Prospecting.

NGEA Competition Leader. Created a Team for Coordinating Targeted Exploration.
Field Experience with Epithermal Systems, Pegmatites (2017-2019), Carlin-Style Gold Deposits (2020-2022), and Caldera-Related Hard Rock (2016).

Public Speaking.

Top 75 Debater in the US. Nationally Competitive Extemporaneous Speaker, Congressional Debater, and Public Forum Debater, 2014-2019.

Technical Lectures for Lay Audiences (GIA 2022)

 

Mineralogy/Petrology.

Field and Core Logging Experience. Accompanied by Instruction of Dr. Frank Mazdab and Dr. Ananya Mallik at the University of Arizona

Leading Research

Lead the Creation and Deployment of an Ongoing Research Project to Optimize Deployment of Mercury-Free Mineral Processing for ASGM.

Mineral Processing.

Flotation, Grain Size Analysis, Comminution, Zeta Potential Measures, and Minimal Input Tailings Recycling. Field Experience and

Instructed by Dr. Jinhong Zhang.

Media Development/Management.

Social Media Director, Successfully Deployed Websites, Logo Design, Media Creation, Article Writing, and Information Media Creation

Matlab.

Created Fragmentation Camera, Modelled Geophysical Subsurface Features, and Completed Other Geoscientific Inquiry.

Event Creation & Execution.

Coordinated and Deployed Online/In-Person Networking Events, Presentations, Receptions, and Professional Development Events through YMP and MFM.

Excel

Extensive Experience with Data Processing, Macro Development, PowerPivot, Graphing, and Chemdraw. Forecasted Haul Truck Cycle for Nevada Gold Mines, Automated QA/QC Processes, and Conducted Statistical Evaluations of Large Data Sets to Improve Mining.

Lapidary Arts.

Created Business, Cholla Lapidary, to Sell Self-Sourced Cabochons, Mineral Specimens, and Other Lapidary Works. Created Unique Agate Mezzanine Knives.

AutoCAD.

Practiced Producing Models, Surfaces, Plots, and Designing Plans for Goldstrike Open Pit Mine. Created Script for Converting Drone-Produced Point Clouds Into Clean 3D Topo Maps

Additional Software.

Deswik Suite, Microsoft Suite, MineStar, Jigsaw, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Spark, Datawrapper, and Figma.

Additional Courses.

Geophysics, Macro/Micro-Economics, Psychology, Statistics, Political Science, Supply Chain Logistics, Architectural Design, World History, and Logistics Engineering

Sought Projects

Purposeful

Creative Project-Based Problem Solving

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Planning & Execution

Goal-Oriented

Character

Curious

Systems Thinking

Calm Under Pressure

Effective Communicator

Self-Sufficient

Interests & Hobbies

Rockhounding

Mountain Biking

Design

Cooking

Machine Tinkering

​

Awards & Interests
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Young Mining Professionals Arizona

Founder and President of YMP AZ. We are an professional organization stimulating innovative growth, building relationships, and advancing mining.

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Mercury Free Mining

An innovative non-profit dedicated to sourcing and implementing novel mercury alternatives for artisanal and small-scale gold miners globally.

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Cholla Lapidary

Cholla Lapidary is my cabochon, lapidary art, and mineral specimen business.  It is the result of years of collecting and practicing the lapidary arts.

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Our Resources

 

Our Resources is my podcast where I have the opportunity to have deep conversations with leaders and deep thinkers throughout mining.

 
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