Gideon Chitombo joins the ranks of Mining3

September 2019

With over 20 years experience as a Professor, most recently as the Chair of Minerals Engagement at The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute, Professor Gideon Chitombo is now working with Mining3 as a Technology Leader specialising in Cave Mining.

His previous research focused on mass underground metalliferous mining specifically using cave mining options, which are block or macroblock, panel, inclined and sublevel caving. He has extensive experience working with international consortiums and utilising industry funding to produce real world solutions.

He was a 2012 recipient of a prestigious Australian’s Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) Clunies Ross Award.

Currently, Gideon is working with the mining industry, including supervision of company part-time PhD and MSc postgraduates, to develop new knowledge and methodologies needed to effectively and safely apply cave mining methods at depths approaching 2000m or greater. The project designated as Cave Mining 2040 is a series of four-year, milestone-driven industry collaborations and knowledge transfers that aim to produce a paradigm shift in the application of cave-mining methods for increasingly deeper deposits. With study areas commencing work in February 2019, Gideon operates as Research Director, monitoring project scope and research quality.

‘We welcome Gideon and is wealth of expertise to Mining3 and look forward to his contributions through a number of cave mining research opportunities’ said Paul Lever, Mining3 CEO.