Dr. Michael Henderson

Expertise: Engineering and environmental aspects of mine wastes, including tailings impoundments, water storage reservoirs, heap leach facilities, and mine planning 

Dr. Henderson has spent a nearly 40-year career in the engineering and environmental aspects of mine wastes, including tailings. At BGC. he is responsible for senior review and leadership on a wide range of engineering projects, including tailings impoundments, water storage reservoirs, heap leach facilities, and mine planning.  Mike's technical background relating to designing mining facilities includes design-engineering experience on a wide range of projects in the US and overseas, operations experience at several large mines, mine and energy research for the US Bureau of Mines and Department of Energy, and expert witness testimony related to mining issues. He currently serves as the Director for the Tailings Center.

Professor Henderson has worked in consulting engineering and is currently participating in the external review board for several mining companies helping to guide tailings facility planning, operation and closure. Henderson has been actively involved with graduate programs at both CSU and the University of Nevada for nearly three decades, where he has taught courses related to geotechnical engineering and risk management. He has authored dozens of papers on geo-environmental issues around mine waste, and has contributed to three textbooks on the subject. 

B.S., Civil Engineering, Colorado State University 

M.S., .Civil Engineering, University of Pittsburgh 

PhD (ABD), University of Nevada