BSc Geol, Dip Ed, University of Melbourne,  1973

Spouse: Maureen Muggeridge

Diamond Exploration Experience:
 

1978-1979: Seconded to CRA Exploration from Northern Mining NL to the Ashton Joint Venture Project in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. Most of the work was based on evaluation of the Ellendale Lamproite Province. Responsibilities included ground magnetics and interpretation, drill logging, pit logging. Regional helicopter stream sediment sampling was limited to the East Kimberley Region. This culminated in the discovery of the Argyle Mine in September 1979 as a direct result of the regional helicopter sampling carried out by John Towie with his wife, Maureen Muggeridge.

1980-1984: Seconded to CRA Exploration from Northern Mining NL, based in the Ashton Joint Venture laboratory as a mineralogist. Responsible for carrying out research into the morphological and chemical assessment of chromite from the Kimberley Region (Australia) for kimberlitic affinity in conjunction with his wife. Also carried out reconnaissance sampling and managed the Argyle sort houses at various times.

1985-1997: Western Australian Manager for Diamin Resources NL (formerly Triad Minerals NL) also founder/manager of the diamond laboratory which became IDL in 1994. Delineated target zones for exploration and determining follow-up, based on his laboratory assessment of indicator minerals. One major discovery from this work was the Aries Kimberlite Pipe where he also was involved and managed evaluation. This included design, management of various bulk sampling programs including alluvial, hard rock and large diameter drillhole using plant up to 100 tph (grades did not exceed 5 cpht). Interpreted shallow sub bottom seismic profiling for Kalimantan offshore project. Responsible for Aboriginal and Mines Department liaison (including Republic of Indonesia), also, reporting.
Promoted to Exploration Manager and Board Member.

1998-    :  Present position is Owner, Manager, Consultant of Independent Diamond Laboratories Pty Ltd
 

Publications:
  N.J. Towie and L.H. Seet, Diamond Laboratory Techniques. In: jour. of Geochemical Exploration, vol 53, pp205-212.

N.J. Towie, M.D. Bush, E.R. Manning, M.R. Marx and R.R. Ramsay, the Aries diamondiferous kimberlite pipe central Kimberley Block, Western Australia: Exploration, setting and evaluation. In: Fifth International Kimberlite Conference publication, vol. 2, pp 319-328