Donald Birak

How did you get your start in the mineral industry?

My mentor, Dr. J. J. Mancuso, in 1971 my first professor of geology at Bowling Green State University (Ohio), impressed me with his mineral deposits passion and knowledge - so much so that I committed to geology and mineral deposits then and there. He taught me much about the business but even more about mentorship.

What was the most fulfilling project you ever worked on, and why?

I was fortunate to be involved with Jerritt Canyon, Nevada in 1978 when it was still an exploration project. The discovery of Jerritt Canyon changed peoples' minds about Carlin-type gold deposits in terms of location and host rocks. I stayed with the project through feasibility and production before moving back into exploration.