Mining Economics

From 1975 to 1996 Dr. Scott Dunbar worked for various engineering consulting organizations. His experience includes mining exploration, geotechnical engineering, mine design, design of tailings dams, water resources engineering and hydroelectric engineering. He has worked on projects in Canada, the United States, Central and South America, Iran, Africa, and China.

In January 1997, he joined the Department of Mining Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He has taught courses in Mine Economics, Mine Waste Management, Mine Design, Operations Research, and Simulation. He is the director of the Integrated Engineering program, an undergraduate interdisciplinary engineering program with a focus on engineering design methods, teamwork in design, independent learning, and communication skills.

Scott’s research interests are in applications of management science and simulation techniques to mining and mineral process engineering and on advanced mining and mineral processing methods. (A basic question: What will a mine look like 50 to 100 years from now?) Recently, in collaboration with members of the Centre for Blood Research at UBC, he has been working on applications of biotechnology to mineral separation.

Scott and his wife enjoy skiing, hiking, cycling, and remodeling their house. Sons Blake and Camden are a constant source of entertainment.