RCF Technical Team
RCF Technical
The RCF Technical Team represents a multi-disciplinary in-house platform of global experts that provide research, local knowledge, technical, operating and transaction support to deal teams across each fund platform through the Resource Capital Funds investment process. The team is comprised of knowledgeable technical and commercial specialists in geology, metallurgy, engineering, ESG, commodities, trading, operational and data analytics disciplines.
Chris Corbett
Partner, Chief Investment Officer
Chris joined RCF in 2008 after working as a Financial Analyst and Commercial Manager within the business development department at Wesfarmers Limited. Previously, he worked as an Engineer for Byrnecut Mining Pty. Ltd. where he gained technical experience in shaft sinking and equipping and underground mine development and production. Chris develops investment business strategies and oversees the investment management processes at RCF.
Calum Semple
Partner, Head of Technical
Calum joined RCF in 2021 having led the successful turnaround of TMAC Resources as a Director and EVP Operations. He brings 35 years of broad global operating experience involved in numerous start-ups, mergers and growth scenarios in leadership roles in industry, and as Global Lead of the Mining Consulting practice at PwC. Calum is responsible for technical due diligence on new investments and provides support to PE portfolio company boards and management teams and their operations.
Rob Gray
Chief Commodity Strategist
Rob joined RCF in 2014 as Chief Commodities Strategist. He provides a macro and micro level perspective on the factors that impact RCF’s underlying fund performance. This cross-fund role contributes to RCF’s commodity market insight and how investment decisions create value for investors. Prior to joining RCF, Rob held a variety of economic, strategy, risk, valuation and finance roles at PwC and Merrill Lynch.
Jessica Jones
Director, ESG
Jessica joined RCF in 2023 having worked in a range of senior operational and corporate roles in sustainability, HSEC, and business planning for numerous companies including Woodside, Chevron, BHP, South 32, and Perseus Mining. Her experience includes managing ESG across exploration, projects, operations and closure. She has worked in the resources industry in Australia, South America, Africa, and Russia. Jessica is helping to lead RCFs approach to ESG and sustainability, including due diligence climate change, ESG data management and ESG disclosure.
Ryan Coffey
VP Trading & Market Research
Ryan joined RCF in 2008 and is currently VP of Trading & Market Research as well as a member of both the RCF Opportunities Strategy and the RCF VI Exploration Strategy investment committees. Ryan handles all public and private equity, warrant and debt trading. He maintains relationships with brokers and bankers to ensure that RCF has complete access to analysts’ reports, conferences, and offerings. As a member of the CIO team, he continually works to streamline the firm’s investment decision-making process.
Simon Ford
Senior Director, Metallurgy & Processing
Simon joined RCF in 2014 and has over 30 years of mineral processing experience in project financing, owner/operator and EPCM environments. He possesses multi-commodity experience including gold, uranium, copper, and nickel. As part of the technical team, he is involved in the full life cycle of projects having developed and managed test work programs, undertaken various levels of studies and been involved in the design, construction and commissioning management of numerous projects.
Jani Kalla
Director, Geology
Jani has over 25 years of experience in the mining and minerals sector and has held senior technical, operational, and management roles within several mining companies and mineral industry consulting groups within Australia and internationally. Jani has technical expertise in mining geology, resource modeling, estimation, and reconciliation, grade control, QAQC, due diligence, and project audits. Jani’s operational experience comes from both open-pit and underground environments. Commodity experience includes copper, nickel, lead, silver, zinc, gold, iron ore, and copper-gold porphyries.
Alessandro Dotta
Director, Mining Engineering
With more than 18 years of experience in the mining industry, Alessandro joined RCF in 2023 following his role as Corporate Planning Manager at AngloGold Ashanti. Prior to this, he held key positions at several prominent mining companies, including Sandfire Resources, EMR Golden Grove, and Vale. Throughout his career, Alessandro has cultivated a robust expertise encompassing both operational and technical facets of the mining business.
Rafael Gradim
Manager, Geology
Rafael joined RCF as Manager, Geology in 2021. He brings 19 years of expertise in exploration, mine, and resource geology. Prior to joining RCF, Rafael worked for Eldorado Gold Corporation as Director of Corporate Development leading technical due diligence in M&A and divestiture scenarios, following various progressive roles at mine sites, development projects, and corporate technical services at Gold Fields International.
Benjamin Stull
Financial Valuation Specialist
Ben joined RCF in 2021 after spending 13 years in valuation consulting with Kroll (fka Duff & Phelps) and Ankura, where he focused on valuations within the mining industry. His clients included both senior and junior mining companies across a wide spectrum of commodities and global locations. He has also done work for construction materials producers, mining service companies, and metals refiners and smelters. Ben has been at the forefront of alternative investment approaches to the mining industry and has presented research related to trends and opportunities in mining finance to the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) and the American Exploration & Mining Association.
4CDA
Data Analytics Consulting
Resource Capital Funds is both an initial investor and first client of 4CDA, a data analytics and management consultancy, founded in Perth in 2018. 4CDA provides high quality independent advice to a suite of clients, employing quantitative problem-solvers. 4CDA’s client base is rapidly expanding to major clients across the globe servicing global energy, resources, and financial services. 4CDA has been contracted to identify value for clients using a range of quantitative techniques including Monte Carlo modelling, computer vision analysis, 3D LIDAR point cloud interrogation, custom software solutions, machine learning and neural network development and training.
Articles Written & Reviewed
Mining Underinvestment
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RCF Technical Team
Oct 9, 2024
The Mining Industry Faces Demands to Transform Itself
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RCF Technical Team
Apr 16, 2024
Looming Copper Supply Shortage
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RCF Technical Team
Apr 5, 2024
A Permanent and Growing Need for Minerals
#miningintel
RCF Technical Team
Feb 14, 2024
Phases of Mining
Learn about the mining lifecycle, key investment decisions at each stage, and how mines advance...
RCF Technical Team
Jan 9, 2024
Understanding Mining Methods: Key Concepts for Investors
Surface Mining, Underground Mining, and Selecting the Best Way to Extract Ore
Fraser Perry
May 23, 2024
Minerals 101: Gold
Element, Mining, Uses, and Market Dynamics
Mar 11, 2024
Minerals 101: Copper
Element, Mining, Uses, and Market Dynamics
Oct 11, 2023
Minerals 101: Nickel
Element, Mining, Uses, and Market Dynamics
Rob Gray
Jan 3, 2023
Balancing Commodity Demand & Investment Dislocations
Selectivity in Today’s Mining Investment Environment
Russ Cranswick
Nov 22, 2022