Erik Cunha

With 15+ years of extensive experience in the mining industry, Erik Cunha has honed his expertise in both open pit and underground mining across a diverse range of minerals including Gold, Copper, Zinc, Iron Ore, Platinum, and Coal. Erik’s career spans the entire mining value chain, from mine planning optimization and capital project implementation to operational improvement, processing, maintenance, cost reduction, and sourcing.

Erik has made significant contributions to over 25 mining assets in 10 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He has collaborated with major global mining firms such as BHP, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Lundin, Kinross, Glencore, Total, ArcelorMittal, and more.

Key Engagements and Career Highlights:

• Project Recovery Leader: Spearheaded a 52-week project recovery program for a mega mining capital project, achieving a 200% increase in weekly schedule compliance and on-time construction and commissioning completion
• Strategic Innovator: Developed and secured board approval for a $7 billion mining megaproject extension in Canada. Utilized probabilistic analysis to determine the best outcome scenario, addressing the project’s extraordinary complexity and innovative nature.
• Operational Excellence: Established and implemented a comprehensive insourcing program for a West African miner, resulting in a 15% increase in tons and a 27% increase in ounces during the transition period.
• Maintenance Optimization: Delivered a 17% improvement in critical equipment fleet availability and a $2.2 million annual cost reduction through a 24-week business improvement program for a West African gold miner.
• Feasibility Study Expert: Conducted a review of a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for an East African greenfield coal mine and power plant, identifying four macro-design alternatives that offered CAPEX savings of $159 million and an NPV improvement of $149 million.