Robert Schafer

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

Leading and coordinating the effort by the Hunter Dickinson Group and Canadian mining to acquire and develop the Aynak Cu deposit in Afghanistan. I learned to coordinate international entities (governments and NGOs), deal with and act as an informal ambassador with multiple governments and their agencies, work and communicate with local people that were as uncertain of the future as I was, and finally to get a sense for the tremendous impact a world-class mine could have in nation-building and developing an economy.

What has been the most memorable experience of your career?

There are several: 1.) Early career - attacked by a bear in my tent while in my sleeping bag while working in Alaska. Killed it without getting out of the bag, but definitely needed a new sleeping bag when it was over. 2.) Mid-career - making my first gold discovery that turned into a mine in Nevada; 3.) Later career - taking on leadership roles with PDAC, CIM and SME; 4.) Enjoying the experience of the many cultures and natural wonders while working in nearly 80 countries.