Our People

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Dr Jan Vermaak       

 

Over the past 20 years, Jan has developed skills working as a groundwater and water management consultant, mainly for the mining industry and civil projects.  He has worked on diverse projects, including groundwater investigations for a large copper mining development in tropical South East Asia to a mine water supply assessment in the Sahara Desert. He was the main author of a ten-year research project on the use of soil covers for the rehabilitation of mine waste facilities in South Africa and worked on pit lakes in Mongolia.

 

After graduating in 1994, Jan worked for a short period as an exploration geologist before returning to carry out post graduate studies with research on the relationship between geotechnical and hydrogeological properties. He was awarded a PhD degree in 2000 for his research. 

 

In 1998, Jan joined a small company, Yates Consulting, Johannesburg, learning first-hand the basics of groundwater investigations.  In 2000, he joined Wates, Meiring and Barnard where he developed skills as a groundwater modeller.  He also developed skills in the use of soil cover systems for the rehabilitation of mine wastes.

In 2002, Jan moved to Brisbane and joined Golder Associates.  He developed skills in water management, and became proficient in using GoldSim software.

 

In 2004, Jan moved to Perth with Golder.  During this period he focussed on leading large scale groundwater investigations and crafting his skills in conceptual model development.  Since 2008, Jan focussed more on providing technical direction of projects, fostering close relationships with clients and business development. He was actively involved with training and mentoring of junior staff. 

 

In October 2013 Jan founded Red Creek Water Solutions to follow his desire to return to the “coalface” of consulting.

 

Jan is offering the unique combination of a thorough general "big picture" understanding how water systems fit together, and the ability to analyse groundwater and water processes using modelling software.