George Gkekas

What have you been doing since finishing your studies?

Right after finishing my studies I moved to London working for IBM risk analytics as an analyst. As soon as the contract finished, Hellas Gold interviewed me for a position as a project Geologist in Skouries site (Copper Gold Porphyry deposit) where I stayed for a year. Due to permitting issues, Skouries site went to care and maintenance issues so I was moved to Olympias mine (Carbonate replacement deposit, Au-Pb-Zn) in the same region. After staying a year as a mine Geologist I was promoted to Resource Geologist which is my current position.

I work for Hellas Gold, a subsidiary company of Eldoradogold, as a Resource Geologist. My main duties involve updating the Grade Control Model (Block Model and wireframing), drilling design and resource estimation. I am also involved with QAQCing the drilling database prior of utilizing it to the estimation. Ultimate goal is to transfer most of the inferred to indicated and indicated to measured resources.
 

What experiences at Leeds do you think have particularly helped with your career?

I believe that every aspect of the course assisted to my career. Particularly, structural geology has a straight forward application to my current position, which helps me to deal with our current’s orebody structural features.

Why did you choose to study your particular course and why did you choose the University of Leeds?

A combination of University’s reputation with the high-skilled and helpful academic staff led my decision to take this particular course.
 

What was the best aspect of your course?

I believe that fieldtrips are the highlight of the course.
 

What activities outside of your studies were you involved in?

Mainly rowing which was my passion from Greece.
 

What would you say to students thinking about studying your course?

If you are interested in Structural Geology, proceed without have any doubt.