Ian Stilwell, P.Eng. (BC, YK), is a graduate of the geological engineering program at UBC and has over 25 years of experience specializing in the design and operational support for open pits and rock storage facilities. He has worked on a wide range of mining projects throughout the Americas, Africa and Asia ranging from small quarries to world-class mining operations. He has developed extensive practical experience supporting all phases of project development including conceptual studies, feasibility studies, detailed design and permitting, project construction, operations and expansion studies and closure designs. Ian has worked in a variety of challenging geotechnical environments and has experience working with porphyry copper, disseminated and epithermal gold, skarn, banded iron formation, volcanic massive sulphide, limestone, coal, and nickel deposits among others. Ian led and grew BGC’s rock mechanics team through 2022 and continues to contribute to the rock mechanics and mining teams. He also has a special interest in laboratory testing. He designed and built a custom rock direct shear testing apparatus for BGC’s geotechnical laboratory and is actively developing its rock mechanics capabilities.