New Zealand Branch / Members / John Braithwaite ...

John (Jock) Braithwaite

John (Jock) Braithwaite has been one of the most influential people in New Zealand exploration and mining in the last 40 years, with work spanning a wide range of activities and commodities. During this time he has had a high profile in the exploration and development of metallic and industrial mineral deposits, the development of small-and medium scale placer gold mining technology, and in the exploration for petroleum. His placer mining skills have been employed in many countries and his consulting services in this field have been sought internationally.

After completing his BE (Mining) degree at the Otago School of Mines in 1957, Jock joined NZ minerals industry pioneer Tas McKee in Lime and Marble Ltd and was instrumental in developing and advancing Tas’s ideals. Initially Jock headed the uranium exploration being carried out on the West Coast. This involved largely surface radiometric surveys with underground investigation of the most promising occurrences, all in some of the most rugged, and wet terrain in NZ. Subsequently, through a succession of exploration and development projects, Tas and Jock brought about a gradual recognition at the political level of the potential of NZ’s minerals, and most importantly, the need to explore and evaluate this wealth. Through the 1960s, a trickle of overseas mining company interest increased to a healthy level of exploration investment. Major companies such as ASARCO, Kennecott, BHP, MIM, all commenced new, and renewed, activities in NZ with L&M, and Jock was instrumental in organising joint ventures and facilitating exploration activity.

A major advance in the late 1960s was the launch of L&M Oil onto the market. This was the first opportunity that the public had for directly investing in the petroleum industry in NZ. L&M Oil represented a new direction for Jock, a challenge he enthusiastically took on. While the offshore search was unsuccessful, it was a technical success in onshore Taranaki, with the discovery of gas and condensate in the Urenui well in 1972 (with JV partners Aquitaine, and Shell BP and Todd), and identification of the McKee structure. Casing had been purchased to drill the McKee and one other well when the first oil shock struck, but Government refused to renew the licences in 1973 followed by the formation of Petrocorp which took up the licences. This forced L&M Oil out of onshore Taranaki.

During the 1970's alluvial gold became a major focus for Jock. The advent of the hydraulic excavator and concept of a floating screening plant led to a revival of the alluvial gold mining industry on the West Coast and Central Otago. Jock liked the potential of the Shotover River despite all the difficulties of access and extreme river flows in constricted gorges, and this proved to be one of L & M's most successful operations, with a very capable team put together to handle the demanding conditions. The gold recovery equipment became more sophisticated and the technology and plants were exported to many countries, with Jock currently involved in many installations, advisory and operational roles.

Finally, and recalling that L&M in its purest manifestation was an industrial minerals miner and processor, Jock played a leading role in the evaluation of many of NZ’s non-metallic mineral prospects. One of the main successes in this field was the exploration and development of the Coalgate bentonite deposits in Canterbury by L&M. He was instrumental in directing the detailed investigation of the resource, and the eventual design and construction of a processing plant that produced bentonite successful in penetrating the competitive markets of oil well drilling, iron ore pelletising and civil engineering applications. The Mt Burnett dolomite deposit is another where extremely steep and difficult terrain had to be opened up to provide access to the large dolomite deposit which has been quarried for glassmaking, refractories and agriculture.

Jock joined the AusIMM as a student in 1957, was admitted to member in 1965 and transferred to Fellow in 1968. He has been supportive of the NZ Branch, being a founding member (1966), Branch Chairman (1975-1977) and Councillor Representing New Zealand (1982-1987).