Gideon Chitombo is a Mining3 Technology Leader specialising in Cave Mining.
Gideon’s research is focused on mass underground metalliferous mining specifically using cave mining options, which are block or macroblock, panel, inclined and sublevel caving through applied international industry-funded projects. He has been involved in a number of renowned caving mining operations for extended periods including in Australia, South Africa and Chile.
Gideon was appointed as an international advisory board member (Chairman) of a European Initiative (I2Mine) designed to focus on the technological challenges the European mining industry is currently and likely to face in the future including the exploitation of ever deeper deposits and the aspiration for an invisible, safe, zero impact mine. The project was being carried out by a consortium of 26 organisations from 10 European countries.
He was a 2012 recipient of a prestigious Australian’s Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) Clunies Ross Award.
Gideon is currently 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 collaboration and knowledge transfer, producing a paradigm shift in the application of cave-mining methods to increasingly deeper deposits. With study areas beginning their work in February 2019, Gideon operates as Research Director, monitoring project scope and research quality.
Qualifications:
- PhD, The University of Queensland
- MSc, Colorado School of Mines
- BSc, University of Alabama
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