Michael has extensive experience in mineral exploration and underground mine geology. He moved to Parkes, NSW in 1978, where he was involved in the early exploration and development of the Northparkes porphyry copper project, currently operated by China Molybdenum Co Ltd. He later headed the team that discovered the gold mineralisation at the Evolution-operated Lake Cowal. His team also discovered and evaluated a very large rare earth prospect near Dubbo, currently owned by Alkane Resources.

Michael is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Geoscience.