About us

Raleigh Finlayson - Chief Operating Officer

Mr Raleigh Finlayson is a Mining Engineer with over 13 years of technical and operational experience in the mining industry in multiple disciplines including both underground and open pit operations.

Mr Finlayson commenced with Saracen Gold Mines as General Manager – Operations in February 2008 and has managed the timely completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study. Mr Finlayson previously held positions of Underground Manager for Panoramic Resources and various Senior Open Pit Engineering roles with OceanaGold and Gold Fields.

Mr Finlayson studied at the Western Australian School of Mines and is the holder of a First Class Mine Managers Certificate, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance and Investment, and is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Grant Haywood - General Manager Operations

Mr Grant Haywood is a Mining Engineer with over 22 years of mining industry experience, and commenced with Saracen Gold Mines in April 2010.

Previously, Mr Haywood held Senior Operational and Technical Management roles with Norton Gold Fields at the Paddington Gold Mine, with Gold Fields at the Agnew and St Ives Gold Mines and with Sons of Gwalia in multiple mining operations within the Yilgarn region. He has experience developing and operating both underground and open cut mining operations and exposure to various commodities.

Mr Haywood holds a WA First Class Mine Managers Certificate of Competency and is a graduate of the Western Australian School of Mines.

Wayne Heedes - Processing Manager

Mr Wayne Heedes comes from a mechanical background and has in excess of 20 years experience in the operations and management of minerals processing plants.

Mr Heedes commenced with Saracen Gold Mines in March 2009 to oversee and manage the Carosue Dam treatment plant refurbishment, a task that was completed below budget and ahead of schedule.

Mr Heedes previously held senior positions in variety of roles with a number of high profile mining companies. Upon successful commissioning of the processing facility in 2010, Mr Heedes assumed the role of Mill Manager.

Lee Stephens - Southern Operations Manager

Mr Lee Stephens has over 20 years of technical and operational experience in the mining industry in multiple disciplines including both open pit and underground operations.

Mr Stephens commenced with Saracen Gold Mines as Quarry Manager in August 2009 and has managed the commencement of mining at Carosue Dam. Mr Stephens previously held management positions with several mining companies and contractors throughout Western Australia.

Mr Stephens is the holder of an Unrestricted Quarry Managers Certificate and also holds a Grade 1 Mine Surveyors Certificate.

Richard Maddocks - General Manager Geology & Exploration

Mr Richard Maddocks is a geologist with over 20 years of experience in gold mining, exploration and development.

Mr Maddocks has worked in open pit and underground mines throughout Western Australia and in Papua New Guinea, Brazil and Argentina. Previous roles include Geology Manager at Paddington, Kanowna Belle and Thunderbox gold mines in Western Australia. Richard commenced with Saracen Gold Mines in March 2011 after 3½ years as Mineral Resources Manager with Troy Resources.

Mr Maddocks has an Applied Geology degree from RMIT University, a Master of Science in Mineral Economics from Curtin University and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment. He is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Stephen King – Underground Projects Manager

Mr Stephen King is a Mining Engineer with over 17 years experience in the mining industry working on projects in Australia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Zambia. Steve’s experience includes both operational and consulting roles within open pit and underground projects.

Mr King commenced with Saracen Gold Mines in August 2010 with the key objective of developing the Red October underground project. Mr King previously held positions of Principal and Senior consultant with GijimaAST, Resource Evaluations and AMC Consultants. He also held various Senior and Acting Manager roles with Sons of Gwalia.

Mr King is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and is the holder of a First Class Mine Managers Certificate.
 

Briony Sinclair - Environmental Manager

Ms Briony Sinclair has 15 years experience in the mining industry including open pit and underground mining as well as extensive exploration experience.

Ms Sinclair has held positions with both Department of Environment and the Department of Mines and Petroleum and has six years experience in Licensing and Approvals.

Ms Sinclair joined Saracen in August 2009 and is responsible for maintaining high environmental standards through compliance with all statutory legislation, regulations and proactive leadership in line with Saracen Environmental Management Policy.

Ian Primmer – OHS&T Manager

Mr Ian Primmer commenced with Saracen Gold Mines as the Occupational, Health, Safety and Training Manager in January 2010. Mr Primmer holds a Diploma OHS, an Underground Supervisors’ Certificate of Competency and a Restricted Quarry Manager Certificate. He has over 30 years of experience in the mining industry in both open pit and underground mining operations in various commodities.

Prior to joining Saracen Gold Mines, Mr Primmer has held similar positions with Norilsk Nickel, Perilya and Barrick Gold. He has also played a key leadership role in the start up of Carosue Dam.
 

Mathew Ingoe - HR Manager

Mr Matthew Ingoe was appointed to the role of HR Manager in November 2011 to oversee the further enhancement and delivery of the HR Business Services for Saracen Gold Mines.

After a decade long career in Operational Policing within Western Australia, Mr Ingoe moved back into Human Resources. Mr Ingoe’s experiences span the hard rock mining sector within both contractor and client organisations, from Civil Construction to Iron Ore and across the areas of HR and HSE Management.