Leandro Oliveira | Descriptive Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Research Data Analysis

Mr. Leandro Oliveira | Descriptive Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Jaguar Mining/UFOP | Brazil

Leandro Oliveira is an accomplished geologist with over two decades of expertise in mineral exploration, specializing in gold and copper deposits across diverse geological settings. He has a proven track record in managing large-scale exploration programs, leading multidisciplinary teams, and implementing innovative exploration techniques for globally recognized mining companies. His contributions have led to significant resource expansions and technological advancements in mineral exploration processes, reflecting his commitment to sustainable and efficient mining practices.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Education

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Universidade Estadual Paulista, complemented by an MBA in Project Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas, both verified for international academic recognition. Currently, he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Crustal Evolution and Mineral Resources at Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, with a strong focus on mineral systems, economic geology, and advanced exploration methodologies.

Experience

Throughout his career, he has progressed through key roles, from Junior Geologist to Exploration Coordinator, working with major companies such as Yamana Gold and Jaguar Mining. He has managed annual exploration budgets exceeding USD 5M and supervised over 250,000 meters of drilling campaigns. His expertise spans greenfield and brownfield exploration, project management, QA/QC procedures, geochemistry, geophysics, and 3D geological modeling. At Jaguar Mining, he spearheaded the discovery of over 325,000 ounces of inferred mineral resources, while at Yamana Gold, his efforts contributed to adding over 7 million ounces of AuEq to the company’s mineral resources portfolio.

Research Interests

His research and professional interests revolve around mineral systems and targeting science, structural geology, geostatistics, and the integration of advanced geospatial technologies in mineral exploration. He is particularly focused on developing innovative methodologies for target screening, mineral prospectivity mapping, and integrating hyperspectral and geochemical datasets to enhance exploration decision-making processes.

Awards and Recognitions

He has received multiple recognitions for his impactful contributions, including leading technological innovations such as implementing portable-XRF analysis that reduced analytical response time by 80% and developing corporate database structures for multi-country operations. His achievements include advancing two greenfield projects to the mine development phase and receiving acknowledgment for his role in technological innovation, exploration efficiency, and strategic mineral resource expansion.

Publications

Cabral, A.R., da Costa, M.A., Oliveira, L., Hector, S., Zeh, A., Martins, M. de S., Moura, P., Silva, M., Nazareth, L.P.T., Silva, L.C. da, Amorim, L.E.D., Kwitko-Ribeiro, R., Araújo, G.D.S., Baeta, V.A.D., Lemos, T. de C., Porto, J.V.E., Ribeiro Jr, N.F., Soares, M.L.F., Waughan, G.D., et al. (2024). “The historical Corrente gold deposit, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Geological characteristics and a reconnaissance study of nugget effect.” Applied Earth Science – Transactions of the Institutions of Mining and Metallurgy, 134: 1–14. Citations: 1

Prudente de Melo, R., Farias de Oliveira, M.A., Goldfarb, R.J., Johnson, C.A., Marsh, E.E., Perez Xavier, R., Rocha de Oliveira, L., Morgan, L.E., et al. (2021). “Early Neoproterozoic Gold Deposits of the Alto Guaporé Province, Southwestern Amazon Craton, Western Brazil.” Economic Geology, 117: 127–163. Citations: 6 | 5

Medina, C.M., Fernando Ducart, D., Souza Passos, J., de Oliveira, L.R., et al. (2021). “Exploration Vectoring from the White Mica Spectral Footprint in the Atypical Auriferous Lavra Velha Deposit, San Francisco Craton, Brazil.” Ore Geology Reviews, 139: 104438. Citations: 5 | 5

Conclusion

Leandro Oliveira embodies technical excellence, leadership, and innovation in mineral exploration. His ability to bridge cutting-edge technology with traditional geological principles has not only expanded mineral resource portfolios but also optimized exploration workflows across international mining operations. With a global perspective gained through professional experiences in Brazil, Chile, Argentina, USA, and Canada, and proficiency in English and Spanish, he continues to make significant contributions to the field of economic geology and mineral resource development, aligning his work with best practices, safety standards, and sustainable exploration strategies.

Viwe Notole | Augmented Analytics | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Research Data Analysis

Mr. Viwe Notole | Augmented Analytics | Best Researcher Award

University of the Witwatersrand | South Africa

Mr. Viwe Notole is an emerging geoscientist and data analyst whose academic and professional journey reflects a strong dedication to Earth sciences, mining, and geometallurgy. With a foundation built through advanced studies at the University of Fort Hare, University of Johannesburg, and the University of the Witwatersrand, he has developed expertise across geology, mineralogy, geostatistics, and machine learning applications in geosciences. His career aspiration is to contribute meaningfully to the mining and geoscience sectors through innovative research, data-driven approaches, and applied geological solutions that support both industry development and sustainable resource management.

Professional Profile

SCOPUS

Education

Mr. Notole has pursued a comprehensive academic trajectory in geology and mineral sciences. He began his studies with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and Chemistry at the University of Fort Hare, where he built the scientific foundation for his career. Advancing further, he completed a B.Sc. Honours in Geology at the University of Johannesburg, refining his technical and analytical skills in applied geosciences. His passion for mineralogy and mining processes led him to the University of the Witwatersrand, where he obtained a Master of Science in Economic Geology with research focused on the mineralogy and processing characteristics of the Elsburg Reefs in the South Deep Gold Mine of South Africa. Currently, he is a doctoral candidate in the field of Geometallurgy at the University of the Witwatersrand, where his research integrates advanced mineral characterization, geostatistics, and metallurgical evaluation to optimize mineral recovery and processing techniques.

Experience

Mr. Notole’s professional experience reflects a blend of field geology, laboratory-based mineral analysis, and applied data analytics. At Umvoto Africa in Cape Town, he worked as a Junior Geologist where he contributed to geological and hydrogeological projects through data acquisition, processing, and interpretation. His responsibilities included supervising borehole drilling and test pumping, conducting geotechnical site investigations, supporting GIS-related tasks, and performing data analysis and visualization for project outcomes. He later joined Mintek, a leading mineral research organization in Randburg, as a Mineralogist Intern. There, he honed his technical skills in mineral characterization using advanced techniques such as X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and QEMSCAN technology. These roles equipped him with a strong interdisciplinary skillset that spans mineral exploration, hydrogeology, mineral processing, and data science applications in the mining industry.

Research Interest

His research interests are primarily centered on economic geology, geometallurgy, and the integration of data analytics into mineral processing. Mr. Notole focuses on investigating the mineralogical and processing characteristics of gold-bearing reefs, with the aim of improving mineral recovery processes. His interests extend to diagnostic leaching, mineral characterization techniques, geostatistical modeling, and the application of machine learning to predict metallurgical performance. By combining traditional geological expertise with modern computational methods, he aims to bridge the gap between field-based geological sciences and advanced data-driven resource optimization. He is particularly passionate about exploring environmentally friendly processing alternatives, such as glycine-based leaching, to support sustainable mining practices.

Awards and Achievements

Among his academic accomplishments, Mr. Notole was formally admitted to the degree of Master of Science in Economic Geology by the University of the Witwatersrand, marking a significant milestone in his scholarly journey. His upcoming publications reflect his commitment to advancing research in geometallurgy, with studies exploring predictive data analytics for gold recovery and innovative leaching techniques using glycine and potassium permanganate. These contributions highlight his role as a young researcher actively pushing the boundaries of mineral processing technologies and sustainable mining practices.

Publication

(2025). “Investigating mineral composition of PGE low-grade ore in Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa” in Minerals Engineering.

Conclusion

Mr. Viwe Notole exemplifies the new generation of geoscientists who combine deep geological knowledge with data-driven approaches to solve contemporary challenges in mining and resource management. His academic background, professional experience, and active research contributions position him as a promising figure in the fields of geometallurgy, mineral processing, and applied geosciences. Driven by innovation, sustainability, and the pursuit of scientific excellence, he continues to advance his career with the vision of making a lasting impact on the mining industry and the broader geoscientific community.