Mr. Downing is a graduate of Queens University (B.Sc., 1970) and the University of Toronto (M.Sc., 1973), and has over 30 years of experience as a senior geologist working for several corporations and as a consultant on surface and underground gold and base metal exploration and production projects in British Columbia and around the world. His early experience centered on exploration but since 1989 he has focused on mining projects, the environment and technology. Mr. Downing was involved in the exploration and pre-production at the Windy Craggy open pit and underground massive copper sulphide deposit (British Columbia). He authored a reclamation and closure plan for an open pit copper -- gold mine (British Columbia). He was involved in the feasibility study for acid rock drainage for the Voisey's Bay massive nickel sulphide deposit (Newfoundland) and the Petaquilla copper porphyry deposit in Panama. Projects also included the Falcondo nickel laterite mine in the Dominican Republic.
He has published over 18 papers concerning exploration, computing, history, electrochemistry, environmental and technology topics and is a co-author of the online acid rock drainage course offered by Edumine. As a consultant, he is aware of the education of junior companies in regards to meeting standards and their role in the environment and has given presentations to various elementary schools. In 1983, he co-founded a software company for developing commercial geochemical programs for use in the exploration and mining industry. In 1999, he founded a high-technology company (MagPower Systems) to develop the magnesium-air technology for use in fuel cell commercial products. A subsequent spin-off from this technology led to research and development in zinc electrowinning. Mr. Downing has also been involved in mining-related environmental and reclamation programs and has initiated several research and development projects, some of which have led to patents. During his time with the software and technology companies, he was involved in promotions and marketing. He has been involved with several junior mining companies as a CEO, director and consultant. He presently sits on the Geoscience Committee and Practice Review Committee of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists and is a member of several professional organizations. In 1997, the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists presented him with the Chris Westerman Award, which is the highest geoscience recognition.
The Cascadero board of Directors welcomes Bruce Downing
