Hello, I'm
Damion Lackna
A dog-loving, coffee-drinking data specialist with a creative soul and a penchant for technology, information management and computing. I write code, manage mountains of data and create art with my camera.
About
The Short
I’ve built a career managing SQL databases and providing data solutions to JORC & NI 43-101 compliant mineral exploration and mining companies. Proficient in Microsoft SQL, Access, and advanced Excel, I have had opportunities to work with a variety of geological database applications including acQuire, Datamine’s Fusion, Maxwell’s Datashed, and MX Deposit.
I’ve managed data for Exploration, Blast Hole, and underground drilling programs as well as assay and QA/QC. I have also implemented pXRF data capture and management solutions, validated drill hole databases using Micromine and Leapfrog and processed mountains of surface sampling and geochemistry data.
The Long
I was very late to the tech game and only encountered my first computer when I was 19 years old. I remember it being magical and mysterious and intimidating – to say I was enthralled would be an understatement.
In the years that followed, I worked in a variety of industries ranging from Banking & Finance to Human Resource Management. I’ve tried my hand at many roles but finally found my niche when I accepted a data entry clerk position with a junior exploration company.
Fascinated by what looked like pure wizardry, I was drawn to SQL and quickly began using it to retrieve data that would have otherwise taken ages. And thus my love for data was born.
Somewhere along the line, I fell in love with photography and made it my creative outlet. From this love, I’ve built a thriving small business specializing in documentary-style photography, portraiture, product photography, and creative filmmaking.
Currently, I live in Guyana where I was born and raised, with my wife and our many dogs. We volunteer with a local animal welfare organization so you can usually find us playing with the fosters in our care. We’re moving to Canada in the fall, so it’ll be tough to say goodbye, but I’m super excited about embarking on a new adventure while advancing my current skill set.
I’m always in search of my next adventure and frequently share stories and experiences over on my blog.
See what I’ve been up to and check out my portfolio over on my photography website.
Portfolio
Cover
Letter
Let’s Work Together!
I began my database career almost a decade ago working for a mineral exploration company in the jungles of Guyana, South America. In the years that followed, I have had countless opportunities to build and refine both my technical and managerial competencies.
I have developed a good grasp of geology and geological concepts and am intimately familiar with exploration and mining workflows – from greenfields programs through to open pit and underground mining.
Over the course of my career, some notable achievements include:
- I’ve established multiple pXRF data capture solution solutions that afford exploration teams the opportunity to collect and store large volumes of geochemistry data at a fraction of the cost of assaying at commercial labs. This typically means building the database infrastructure, developing SOPs, and managing the data and QA/QC performance.
- I’ve designed and built a mining data management system that tracks ore/waste movement, equipment utilization, fuel consumption, etc. Up until this project was completed, the company I was with relied on multiple excel spreadsheets to track these key metrics, making reconciliation and performance management quite difficult.
- I held the position of Tenement Administrator with a junior exploration company. While in this role, I built a system that managed the entire land tenement package. This included liaising with both government ministries and tenement holders, negotiating land deals, and ensuring that license renewals and statutory reports are done on time. This system was developed in MS Access but was eventually migrated to SQL.
- In my most recent role as Database Administrator with Zijin Mining, I was tasked with reviewing various data management solutions and working with the selected vendor to build and migrate years of exploration drill hole data from hundreds of excel files to a central SQL database. This database now functions as the backbone of all the company’s geological data.
Despite officially working as a Database Administrator, I’ve functioned in a variety of roles within the companies I’ve served. These roles included leading Brownfields and Greenfields procurement activities, managing contractor (drilling, laboratories, suppliers) relationships, managing the department’s finances (budget planning, contractor payments, etc.), and supervising junior geologists, geological technicians, and other support staff.
If you’re in the mineral exploration field, or any field for that matter, and require data management assistance, then I’d love to hear from you to discuss the possibilities of working together.
Damion
Throughout my career, I’ve had the chance to work in a variety of environments with many outstanding teams and individuals. Thanks to these experiences, I’ve been fortunate to develop a wide range of technical skills.
Skills
Creative Prowess
In the creative world, I’ve also had a chance to sit in the discomfort of not knowing how to execute my visions while I developed my skills. Through countless hours of trial and error, I’ve managed to sharpen my prowess and create art I’m truly proud of.
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BSC. Management
Graduated with a Degree in Business Management from the University of Guyana (Pass with Distinction)2012 -
MTA 98-365
Passed the Microsoft technology Associate's Database Fundamentals Exam.2015 -
Google Data Analytics
Currently pursuing a Google Data Analytics Certification2022
Education
Experience
What I’ve Done
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with a variety of companies, both small and large. These experiences have helped to shape me into the professional I am today.
2018 – 2022
I joined the Zijin team with the primary objective of establishing a central geological database.
This had been missing from the company’s portfolio for many years and was sorely needed. Establishing this database meant reviewing all data capture protocols and establishing standard operating procedures for the storage, security, and retrieval of data.
After carefully reviewing the company’s geological data needs, a database vendor (Datamine) was selected and a fully functioning database management system was implemented. This database, which I now manage, houses all the company’s geological and QAQC data.
During my time with Zijin, I’ve also had the opportunity to explore work outside the database field and have been instrumental in the following areas:
- Procurement – I was tasked with all procurement activities in the exploration department, including the purchase of heavy equipment, light vehicles, ATVs, construction materials, and camp supplies.
- Finance– I currently manage the department’s finances, ensuring that contractors and suppliers are paid and that funds are available for daily operations.
- Asset Management
- Department Supervision
2013 – 2017
Attached to the Exploration team as the GIS/Database Administrator, my portfolio included managing the company’s geological database as well as the database team.
I also supported both the VP of Exploration and the Exploration Manager with the production of statutory and technical reports as well as press releases. My responsibilities also extended to include the supervision of student and graduate geologists, samplers, and geotechnical/fieldwork teams.
Key deliverables during my tenure included:
The establishment of a robust pXRF data capture solution.
The compilation and creation of a geochemistry database to house historic data.
The designing and building of a mining data management solution to track ore/waste movement, equipment utilization, fuel consumption, etc.
- Working with the Exploration Manager, I was tasked with establishing a comprehensive system for managing the company’s land tenement packages. My work on this project eventually led to me being appointed as the company’s Tenement Administrator and being responsible for managing all government and stakeholder relationships.
2017- Present
Beginning in early 2017, I’ve been working as a freelance photographer/filmmaker with a focus on documenting corporate events, Weddings, and Portrait sessions.
I’ve produced images and films for hundreds of happy clients including large manufacturing companies, small business owners, internationally renowned celebrity personalities, exploration companies, and individuals.
Some of my work can be seen over on my photography website. I continue to grow as a creative and look forward to exploring mutually beneficial opportunities.
Senior Personnel Officer: Parliament of Guyana – 2008 – 2012
Bank Teller: Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry – 2006-2008
Internal Auditor: Demerara Distillers Limited – 2004-2006
Lets Connect
I’d love to hear from you if you think that there are projects we can work on together.
You can connect with me on Whatsapp at +5926579265, or by clicking the little chat icon at the bottom right of your screen. You can alternatively send me a message by filling out the form below and I’ll be sure to get back to you.
Alternatively, you can reach me on any of my social media accounts listed at the bottom of this page, or you can hop on over to my photography website.
I look forward to hearing from you.