Tempus Resources Ltd (ASX:TMR, TSX-V:TMRR) has paid respect to non-executive director and geological advisor Gary Artmont who has passed away suddenly.
Artmont was a world-renowned exploration geologist with more than 40 years of experience in projects across six continents.
Tempus Resources chairman Alex Molyneux said: “We have lost one of the great exploration geologists in the world and he will be sorely missed.
"Gary had the unique ability to apply his deep knowledge and experience in geology and exploration into real-life commercial decisions.”
Distinguished career
Artmont graduated with an Honours BSc degree in Geology from the University of Waterloo in 1975 and began his career with Union Carbide searching for tungsten, uranium and industrial metals throughout Western and Northern Canada, USA and Brazil.
Subsequently, he worked with Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) where he was instrumental in defining Vulcan Sedex style base metal mineralisation in the Selywn Basin of the Yukon.
During the 1980s Artmont turned his focus to Australia and South East Asia where for Kennecott he developed reconnaissance programs for tungsten and gold mineralisation in Western Australia and New Zealand as well as completing early-stage exploration of the Lihir Island gold deposit.
Indonesian experience
He had extensive experience in Indonesia where he acted as the on-site manager for the Mt Muro gold project in Central Kalimantan defining more than 1.3 million ounces of gold as well as the discovery of other gold and diamond deposits in South Kalimantan.
From 1989 to 1995, he was chief geologist for PT Freeport Indonesia where he managed in excess of 120,000 metres of diamond drilling which led to the discovery of the 8-million-ounce Wabu Gold deposit as well as the first detailed geochemical survey and mapping over the Erstberg Mine area that culminated in the discovery of the Grasberg deposit, one of the largest gold deposits in the world.
During this period, he also managed Freeport’s exploration activities in Mexico.
Guidance “instrumental” to TMR
In addition, Artmont had extensive experience working in project generation in China, Mongolia, Russia, Eastern Europe and South America.
During his overall career, Gary worked in more than 15 countries and conducted site visits to more than 150 operating mines at locations throughout the world.
Molyneux added: "His guidance and advice have been instrumental to the success of Tempus Resources.
"We pass our deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time.”