Managers

Tony Caruso - Managing Director

Tony has more than 20 year’s experience in mining services and has developed his experience working on major underground mining projects across QLD and NSW before moving into management roles. He has worked with several mining services contractors and has a very good understanding of the mining services sector built over a long period of time. Tony’s qualifications are a combination of very hands on trade background with a degree in Business Management from the Central Queensland University.

Tony has a strong Project Management background which drives a focus for safe and productive projects using a very practical approach. Tony is regarded for his innovative approach to solving complex issues and for turning issues into opportunities.

Tony is known for being strategic as well as results-focused and he has presided over a period of significant growth in the Mastermyne business. He is responsible for recruiting and developing a very strong management team who are regarded as high performance leaders that have come together to deliver exceptional results for the Mastermyne Group of companies.   

Beth Jooste oversees the Health, Safety, Environment and Quality for all Queensland and New South Wales operations.  Beth has worked in various industries and roles including nursing, communication industries (technical), business management and safety.

Safety has been her driving passion for the last 9 years across various industries including, medical, manufacturing, heavy industry, surface mining contractor industries, sugar industry, consultation and auditing. Beth has filled numerous roles from hands on safety advisor to managerial roles. Beth’s leadership style is focused on a participative approach where safety is led and owned from the top to the coal face and is part of “how we do things around here” demonstrating an integration of safety into production across the business to meet the organisational strategic goals. Beth has completed a B. Com, Professional Registered nurse: General, Midwifery, Psychology and Community (Africa), Graduate Diploma in OHS, Masters in OHS.

 

 Chris joined Mastermyne in March 2006 as the first in house Management Accountant for the Group. During This time Chris has built the finance team, implemented Management Information Systems across the group, been involved in acquisitions, private equity and the IPO.

Chris has a background in open cut mining in the Surat Basin, he has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Southern Queensland, is a Certified Practicing Accountant and a graduate of the Australian institute of Company Directors. 

Vivienne Gayton - HR Manager

Leon du Preez - Business Development Manager

Leon joined the Mastermyne team as Business Development Manager to assist with growing the business strategically. Part of this role is looking after R&D, ensuring that Mastermyne keeps its competitive edge in the business.
Leon brings to Mastermyne a wealth of experience having worked internationally across various commodities in the underground environment. In South Africa he has worked in senior management roles in Gold and Platinum; he then moved to Australia in 2006 with his family where he started working in the Coal Industry. 
Leon’s career in the mining industry started in 1984 and he has worked in various operational roles from operator to production manager, as well as being responsible for the legal requirements of the mine; he also holds a Mine Manager’s certificate for South African mines. Since his arrival in Australia Leon has worked in a number of roles in the Coal Industry including mining engineer (looking after mine design and surface gas layouts), contract coordinator, Development Superintendent, Longwall Superintendent and Operations Manager; Leon was also the Business Improvement Manager for Moranbah North before taking up his position with Mastermyne.  This experience, coupled with his MBA and a Black Belt in Six Sigma, provides Leon with the business skills to grow the business strategically.  

Allan Purse - General Manager Mastermyne Technical Services

Allan is a General Manager at Mastermyne and is responsible for underground operations across numerous mine sites in the mining operations division across both NSW and QLD.

Allan has been working underground since 1975 working in a variety of settings ranging from maintenance in bord and pillar panels and development environments to production roles with some of Australia's largest longwalls. In 1998, Allan started with MIM at Newlands Southern underground in QLD. More recently he has been Production Manager at Newlands Northern underground operations.

During his career, Allan has led teams to achieve a variety of industry benchmarks for safety and production. Allan's strengths are his hands-on practical experience and strong people and leadership skills. He has held roles from leading hand through to SSE during his career which allows Allan a grass roots understanding of issues and enhances his contribution in the senior management arena.

In 2010 Allan was awarded “Professional Manager of Year” by the Australian Institute of Management. 

Jeff O'Keeffe - Directional Drilling Manager 

Jeff joined Mastermyne in February 2010 and is responsible for the directional drilling business.

Jeff has 14 years coal mining experience including roles of fleet management, mining, maintenance and gas drainage engineering positions with the past 9 years in management positions. Prior to his coal mining experience Jeff had extensive experience with civil construction materials design / construction practices for the Queensland Government.

Kevin Lonergan - General Manager Mastermyne Services

Kevin Lonergan is General Manager for the Services Division at Mastermyne. Kevin has a trade back ground initially working in construction, with the past 16 years in mining. Of the past 16 years, 8 of those years had been spent in hard rock and the last 8 years in coal mining. Most of Kevin’s time in the mining industry has been in maintenance activities and project delivery. Kevin has held a number of positions over his time in the mining industry including project manager and area manager, joining the Mastermyne team from UGL Resources, where he spent the last 5 years as their Operations Manager in Mackay.

David Sykes - General Manager Mastermyne Underground

David's career started in 1978 in the UK where he worked in various project, operational and statutory roles, including operator, deputy, overman and under-manager. He holds a Mine Managers, Under-Managers and Deputy Certificate in the UK.

David and his family moved to NSW in 1996. Since his arrival in Australia, he has gained his 1st and 2nd Class Managers Certificate in NSW, 1st Class Managers Certificate and SSE in Queensland. David’s operational and senior management roles include, Longwall and Development Co-ordinator and Mine Manager at Dartbrook Mine, Mine Manager at Kayuga and the combined Dartbrook Kayuga Operation. Mine manager at Central Colliery and Moranbah North Mine, SSE/ GM at Moranbah North Mine and most recently Operations Manager with Leighton Mining where he was responsible for two surface coal operations and the underground coal business.

David holds a Diploma in Mining and Mechanical Engineering, he is a registered Chartered Engineer and a Member of the Australian Mine Managers Association and Australian Institute of Company Directors.  

Daniel Gall - Financial Manager

Daniel joined Mastermyne in April 2011 in the position of Finance Manager. He has over 20 years of business experience which covers various Financial Management roles as well as Chartered Accountancy & Audit (with PWC), Venture Capital and Fund Management. Daniel is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics with further training in financial modeling and general management. Daniel’s aim is to help members of the finance team to achieve their goals and work together as a team to allow Mastermyne to continue to provide excellent financial support to both internal and external parties. 

David Fitzpatrick - General Manager Mastermyne Engineering 

Dave Fitzpatrick joined the team in December 2009. Dave has been involved in the design and development of numerous fabricated products to the underground coal industry in both South Africa and Australia since 1991. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree (with honours) and a Diploma in Production Engineering.