Our Experience

Geological Data Design (GDD) was incorporated in 1984, as part of Software Design Consultants Pty Ltd (SDC), to provide operational, management and technical data management development and consulting services specifically to the resources industry.

The principal, Tony Shellshear, brings with him extensive experience in both the exploration and mining environments, gained globally across both base and precious metals, as well as the coal industry. This includes field operations as well as open pit and underground environments.

GDD's reputation has been built on formal technical qualifications and many years of experience, which enables the organisation to address the broad technical requirements of the resources sector.

A listing of some of our projects can be found HERE

A Few Interesting Data Management Achievements

Databases And Applications Built

·      86 databases (SQL Server, Ingres, Progress, Informix, Datatrix….)

·      103 applications (.Net C#, C, C++, Ingres ABF, Fortran, COBOL, Basic, Notso Basic, PowerBuilder)

Largest Single Database Table

·      Resource detailed block model table – 898 million records (Ingres Vectorwise Database)

Longest-Serving Database System

·      Porgera Gold Mine – 14 years on the same physical Sun Unix server - DDHS Ingres database ‘Wantok’ (1992-2006) 

Greatest Data Logging / Capture Rate

·      Bengalla – CoalMinder Trial – Plantscape connection – 15-20 million records per day.

Longest Continuous Running Database

·      Porgera Gold Mine – 7 months and 16 days without a reboot - Ingres database on a Sun Unix platform 

Founding Director

Tony Shellshear (B.App.Sc (App.Geol.) Grad. Dip. Comm. Comp.) has been a geologist for over 40 years and is a long standing member of both the AusIMM and GSA, holding a committee role with the GSA for the last 10 years.

During Tony’s time working in the industry, he repeatedly witnessed the persistent need for quality data management systems and after assisting many companies such as Porgera and Kidston to develop and implement custom designed systems to manage their multi-million dollar assets, he turned his focus towards developing an “off the shelf” package that could be utilised by resource companies across a range of commodities.

As well as holding a position on the committee board for the GSA, Tony is heavily involved in a variety of community projects including presentations and demonstrations at educational facilities to create interest in the areas of geology and mining in students.