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A book that takes you right there

any readers need not be told of the what they did? What beat them?” Drum-
Mtrials, tribulations and triumphs asso- mond said. A graduate geologist from the
ciated with exploration and mining. Drummond – whose own contribution University of Adelaide in 1972,
Along the way to potentially finding to the book is titled ‘Roubles and Trou- Andrew Drummond’s career in the
mineral deposits country-defining and bles, Russia 1993-1997’ – said it took 15 mining industry has covered the
life-changing, there are great adventures months from concept to deliver the final full spectrum of disciplines from
– and misadventures – encountered by product in 2020. exploration and mining to company
intrepid geologists the world over. Picking a favourite from the 32 stories foundation and management.
Some of these legendary stories have in Rocks In Our Heads was a tough one Drummond’s experiences have
been captured in Rocks In Our Heads: for Drummond himself. included time in New Zealand,
Stories of Exploring for Mineral Depos- “I admire them all, but particularly the Russia, Philippines, China, Namibia
its in Exotic Lands, collated by Andrew stories told by the women. Historically, and several other African countries.
Drummond. the industry has been a man’s world and As can be imagined, Drummond
Born from a catch-up with old pals in there are a lot of stories about hardships has seen many things, discovered
a reminiscent mood, Drummond has col- and you can only imagine and now read a lot, ultimately culminating in a
lected geologists’ tales from all around what it must have been like for women,” lifetime of memories and stories
the world starting with Rob Duncan’s ef- Drummond said. which inspired the book Rocks In
forts on the uranium trail in Cameroon, Lynda Frewer’s story – Hundred Year Our Heads: Stories of Exploring for
West Africa. Old Eggs and Warm Coke, China 1989 – Mineral Deposits in Exotic Lands.
As Drummond suggests, the book was of particular interest to Drummond,
doesn’t have to be read cover to cover, as was Anthony Williamson’s lucky-to- On behalf of the 27 contributors to this
with the short story format meaning vi- escape-alive tale in the Philippines. book, it is dedicated to our families and
sions of Prue Leeming’s safari of sorts in partners. They enabled us to pursue
Kenya can be divulged in one sitting be- – Mark Andrews our careers and aspirations, but often
fore taking off with Ian Plimer in Turkey in at considerable cost to themselves,
the late 1980s. To purchase a copy phone 9321 0355 and they often had to worry about us
As a Paydirt journalist afforded the or visit www.rocksinourheads.com.au until we returned.
privilege of experiencing the endeavour
and entrepreneurship of mining compa-
nies, the exploration sector in particular,
the book is a thoroughly entertaining read
especially at a time when people are
yearning to get their boots back on the
ground in exotic lands.
Perhaps the next book – potentially
out as early as next year such has been
the interest in the maiden offering – may
include the vagaries of exploration in a
COVID setting and how international op-
erations set up by foreigners are being
run effectively by skilled-up nationals.
Complex geological speak is minimal
throughout the book and while one can
consume purely for entertainment value,
Drummond hopes that one day it may
have a more profound impact.
“Hopefully one day it will become part of
second-year geology courses at universi-
ties to help decrease the attrition rate of
geologists. A lot of people start geology
but don’t finish or follow through with get-
ting a job at the end of it. Hopefully read-
ing the book helps people realise whether
they like geology or not,” Drummond said.
This month, Drummond hopes that
two-thirds of the 1,000 copy print run
would be sold as discussions on the mer-
its of a second book are in play with the
Gold Coast publisher.
“We have really taken the personal
angle with the book – why did people do Andrew Drummond

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