Q & A INTEGRATED GEOSCIENCE SOLUTIONS
Can you share your journey into the geoscience field and what inspired you to pursue this career?
It has been a tremendous 25-year journey that began in 1999 when, upon registering for a Bachelor’ s degree in Physics and Mathematics, a geology professor asked me,“ Have you ever heard of geology?”. At the time, I had only studied geography in school and knew nothing about geology. After the professor explained the field to me, I was instantly hooked, as it complemented my natural desire to understand the physical and natural sciences. I eventually earned a PhD in Geophysics, and since then, my geoscience career has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to explore the world while doing what I love.
As the Technical Director at Integrated Geoscience Solutions, what does your role involve on a day-to-day basis?
I conduct research and consultancy in geoscience, focusing on areas such as mineral exploration, groundwater mapping, and understanding natural hazards like landslides and earthquakes. I also utilise the latest machine learning technologies to analyse multiple datasets, including geology, geophysics, and geochemistry. In addition, my research explores greener energy sources, such as geothermal energy and hydrogen exploration, as well as carbon-mitigating technologies like carbon capture, utilisation, and storage.
A typical day involves managing clients’ expectations and advising on the most suitable scientific techniques to identify mineral deposits. Much of the time is spent outside the office on exploration and mining projects, collecting geoscientific data. Once gathered, the data is brought back to the office for detailed analysis and modelling to inform critical decisions on drilling plans, water management, and other factors.
What would you say are some of the biggest challenges the industry is currently facing?
The minerals exploration and mining industry has come a long way since humans first started extracting valuable commodities from the ground using spades and shovels. Technology has made this work relatively easier, but challenges – while different – still remain. The critical challenge facing the industry is finding mineral deposits and developing them in an environmentally friendly manner. The industry also faces a“ perception” challenge, with mining still being seen as“ dirty and environmentally damaging.” While there have been instances of things going wrong recently( such as tailing dam failures), I believe the industry, on the whole, has made significant strides in developing and implementing safe and sustainable mining methods. This perception challenge has also led to a lack of interest in geoscience as a career, which presents another global dilemma for the industry.
How do you approach solving complex challenges and ensuring your solutions are both innovative and practical?
Complex challenges often become less complex if there is a clear understanding of the problem at hand and then, as far as possible, simplifying it. A systematic input-driven approach is often easier to implement once the problem is simplified having listened to inputs from all stakeholders. This will also inform finding a solution that is most cost effective.
Given the close connection between your work and resource extraction, how do you integrate sustainability into your projects?
Environmental sustainability is front and centre to every project I do. This starts from minerals exploration stage, before there is even knowledge of whether there is extraction that can take place. And this involves investigating issues around groundwater utilisation, possible contamination, geotechnical factors around ground movement, geohazards that could affect communities around the project area and looking for greener energy solutions to support resource development. All this informs the ultimate decision-making on whether the resource can be exploited in a sustainable manner.
What advice would you give to young professionals interested in pursuing a career in geoscience?
Everything, from the water we drink to the food we eat and the technologies we use, comes from rocks. We therefore need geoscientists to shape the future of the world as we transition from a fossil-fuel-dominated global economy to a more low-carbon economy. This transition will not happen without the discovery of new mineral deposits and their extraction. Only geoscientists can locate these deposits and guide their sustainable exploitation. A career in geoscience, therefore, offers an incredible opportunity for anyone interested in contributing to a better and more just world.
What are you most proud of in your career thus far, and what are key lessons you have learned?
I am most proud of the contributions I’ ve made in supervision of research and playing a small part in discovering mineral deposits that have led to sustainable development around communities. ■
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