Colin Comberbach

Chair, Mining Technology Group at IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining)
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(386) 825-5501
Location
UK
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Credentials

  • Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)
    Society for the Environment
    Nov, 2009
    - Nov, 2024
  • Chartered Geologist (CGeol)
    Geological Society of London
    Jan, 1992
    - Nov, 2024
  • Chartered Engineer (CEng)
    The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)
    Nov, 1986
    - Nov, 2024

Experience

  • IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining)
    • Non-profit Organization Management
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Chair, Mining Technology Group
      • Apr 2022 - Present

      The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) is a major UK science and engineering institution and a registered charity governed by a Royal Charter. IOM3 has a membership of over 15,000 from all levels within industry and academia, of which nearly 25% reside overseas. Its mission is to promote the science, design, engineering and technology of materials, minerals and mining and their practical applications and facilitate qualifications, professional recognition and development, and to deliver knowledge, information and networking services to a global membership and wider community. The Mining Technology Group (MTG) is one of 22 IOM3 Technical Communities that encompass all aspects of materials science, technology and engineering; mining, minerals and exploration; and materials applications from nanotechnology to construction. The MTG provides a focus for the promotion and exchange of knowledge on all aspects of mining lifecycle technology, including ground engineering. As its Chair, I am part of a dedicated leadership team of certified professionals with extensive knowledge and practical experience of a wide range of mining disciplines.

  • Aggregate Industries UK
    • United Kingdom
    • Construction
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Geological Manager
      • Dec 2016 - Nov 2020

      Part of the global LafargeHolcim Group, Aggregate Industries (AI) is a major producer and supplier of construction materials including aggregates, asphalt, cement, ready-mixed concrete, blocks and landscaping products across the UK, Europe and the USA. I was responsible for geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical services provision in the UK southern region, comprising a mix of hard rock, limestone and sand and gravel operations with a combined aggregates output of >10Mtpa. My role included mineral exploration, assessment of land and marine mineral reserves and resources, planning application & post-determination compliance support, public liaison group & Crown Estate representations, 3D modelling, quarry design/geotechnical assessments in accordance with the Quarries Regulations (1999), mineral replenishment and acquisition due diligence. I also managed junior staff and provided mentoring and support as part of their professional development towards chartered status.

  • Registers of Scotland
    • United Kingdom
    • Government Administration
    • 300 - 400 Employee
    • Plans Officer
      • May 2015 - Nov 2016

      Registers of Scotland (RoS) is the non-ministerial government department responsible for compiling and maintaining 17 public registers. The Land Register of Scotland is a digital, map-based public register of land and property ownership. A key target set for RoS by Scottish ministers was to complete the land register by 2024, requiring 40% of titles (c. 1.1 million) still to be registered. I worked in First Registrations, a key department set with the objective. This involved the examination of applications and deeds relating to property, land, minerals and other rights and the preparation of OS-based plans using the RoS bespoke digital mapping system and GIS information. Applications were scrutinised to ensure they met statutory requirements of The Land Registration etc (Scotland) Act 2012, which introduced new concepts and new rules that govern how the keeper registers deeds.

  • Maptek
    • Australia
    • Mining
    • 300 - 400 Employee
    • Technical Services Manager - Europe
      • Jan 2012 - Jul 2014

      Maptek is an independent company with a global network of 15 offices and develops 3D surveying, geological & geotechnical modelling and mine planning software and hardware for mining and quarrying companies. Well-known products include Maptek Vulcan™ ( geological modelling, mine planning and design) and Maptek I-Site™ (laser scanning hardware with point cloud processing software). I was head of Technical Services, which assisted mine operators and consultants across Europe, Middle East, Central Asia and West Africa in commodities such as gold, platinum, iron ore, coal, copper and industrial minerals. I was responsible for a team of six geologists and mining engineers who provided software product support, development testing, training and consulting services.

  • Independent
    • Sheffield, United Kingdom
    • Interim Geological Manager
      • Nov 2010 - Dec 2011

      Provided interim management services to quarry operator Lafarge Aggregates, primarily in geological, hydrogeological, quarry design, project management and related technical matters. Provided interim management services to quarry operator Lafarge Aggregates, primarily in geological, hydrogeological, quarry design, project management and related technical matters.

  • Extractive Industry Geology (EIG) Conferences
    • Portsmouth, United Kingdom
    • Chairman
      • Nov 2008 - Nov 2010

      EIG provides professional conferences, trade exhibitions, field trips & proceedings, plus annual training events. It supports applied earth science research by sponsoring selected students. EIG is fully independent, run on a voluntary basis in partnership with University faculty. The main, biennial EIG Conference is an essential training event for all earth scientists associated with extractive industries. I was Chairman of the organising committee for the 16th EIG Conference, Portsmouth (2 days of conference sessions with hospitality and accommodation, plus field trips and social events). Delegate feedback indicated overwhelming satisfaction from the EIG 2010 experience, with 97% of overall value ratings in the top two categories of excellent (71%) and good (26%).

  • Wardell Armstrong LLP
    • United Kingdom
    • Environmental Services
    • 300 - 400 Employee
    • Technical Director
      • May 2003 - Oct 2010

      Wardell Armstrong is a long-established mining, minerals & environmental consultancy providing services for the quarrying, mining, energy, waste, civil engineering & property sectors. I was a member of the Sheffield office management team that was responsible for regional client services & business development to generate c.10% of group turnover. Some examples of my work: • Established minerals & EIA functions, raising their office turnover from 0% to 20% in 2 yrs • Led numerous geoenvironmental (contaminated land/groundwater) & coal mining stability studies, site investigations and risk assessments for due diligence and property portfolio transactions • Leader & team member of mineral planning/EIA projects incorporating geological, hydrogeological, geotechnical, surveying, environmental science, ecology, landscape & heritage staff • Main advisor in the firm on quarrying industry geology, quarry design and Quarries Regulations • Member of Mineral Estates Management Group that acted for landowners, agents & operators and assessed the land & mineral assets of Marshalls PLC for a corporate valuation & stock market exercise • Expert witness - gave evidence in public on rare State Mining Facility in Ireland; evaluated tonnages, grades, royalties & legal status of industrial dolomite resources sterilised by proposed motorway and helped client to obtain positive outcome via Inspector’s report.

  • CBI (Confederation of British Industry)
    • United Kingdom
    • Non-profit Organization Management
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • CBI Minerals Group Member
      • Apr 2007 - Apr 2010

      The CBI Minerals Group represents the UK mining & quarrying industry, including all major non-energy minerals and coal. Together with fellow members, I helped raise awareness of minerals in society and influence UK/European regulation & legislation. I also disseminated knowledge of emerging minerals, environmental & planning related policies across my employer's consultancy firm of 350 staff. The CBI Minerals Group represents the UK mining & quarrying industry, including all major non-energy minerals and coal. Together with fellow members, I helped raise awareness of minerals in society and influence UK/European regulation & legislation. I also disseminated knowledge of emerging minerals, environmental & planning related policies across my employer's consultancy firm of 350 staff.

  • Independent Consultant (Client – ARUP)
    • Sheffield, United Kingdom
    • Consultant Geologist
      • Jan 2001 - Dec 2002

      Carried out site visits, geological and hydrogeological studies, assessment of third party reports and review of quarries regulations and environmental constraints to then design quarry geometries and calculate sterilisation of dolomite mineral resources by proposed motorway routes aligned over an existing extraction operation in Kilkenny, Ireland. Carried out site visits, geological and hydrogeological studies, assessment of third party reports and review of quarries regulations and environmental constraints to then design quarry geometries and calculate sterilisation of dolomite mineral resources by proposed motorway routes aligned over an existing extraction operation in Kilkenny, Ireland.

  • University of Warwick - Warwick Business School
    • United Kingdom
    • Higher Education
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Full Time MBA Programme
      • Oct 1998 - 2000

      See Education See Education

  • Lafarge
    • Construction
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Project Geologist & Regional Manager
      • Nov 1988 - Sep 1998

      Various roles with aggregates division of Lafarge SA (Group t/over £7.5bn), the world No. 1 extractor, producer & distributor of specialty minerals (refractories, pigments, milled carbonates & dolomites, kaolins & absorbent clays) & construction materials (aggregates, cement, mortars, concrete products, bricks, plasterboard, roof tiles with landfill & property interests). For example, I: • managed the mineral exploration and resources portfolio, landsearch, geotechnical, hydrogeological & environmental projects for the largest UK operating region (>50 sites; £100M turnover) - engaged & led technical staff, consultants & contractors to assist as appropriate • provided Divisional advice on statutory planning, environmental, geological & HSE programmes (e.g. consultation on the Quarries Regulations 1999) • jointly founded a project team assigned to geological, planning & commercial appraisals of greenfield sites in new market areas, managing 12 site drilling crews at its height of operation • took an active role in the development & implementation of one of the first Environmental Policy/Audit systems in the aggregates industry • was part of a European mineral acquisition due diligence team that uncovered £40M of mineral asset liabilities; resulted in collapse of Steetley PLC defence & largest takeover in sector (£630M) • was selected to join a mineral operations review team; we identified 10% savings & increased sales margins on annual operating costs of £120M through use of best practice & external benchmarking. • assessed remaining china clay reserves in Cornwall and provided report to help senior management to gain 15% on a corporate sale of otherwise undervalued, non-core business.

  • English China Clays PLC
    • Exeter, United Kingdom
    • Geologist/Engineering Geologist
      • Sep 1982 - Nov 1988

      English China Clays PLC comprised the International Division (china clay, ball clay, calcium carbonate and other industrial minerals), Quarries Division (aggregates, concrete and asphalt), Construction Division (house building) and International Drilling Fluids Division (drilling muds). My role in Quarries Division: • mineral resources and reserves assessments of existing operations, extensions and targeted acquisitions • design and completion of companywide aggregates sampling, testing and petrographic survey • Mines & Quarries Act tip and lagoon design and statutory reports (active and closed) • groundwater assessments, water well installations and liquid waste tip monitoring • operational research into alkali aggregate reaction and concrete technology and help develop new concrete prism testing to ascertain susceptibility.

  • RSK STATS Ltd
    • Civil Engineering
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Engineering Geologist
      • Oct 1981 - Sep 1982

      STATS provided independent construction materials consulting and laboratory services. I was involved in testing and assessment of aggregates, concrete, asphalt and mortar; and soil and rock mechanics, including site investigations and lab testing. STATS provided independent construction materials consulting and laboratory services. I was involved in testing and assessment of aggregates, concrete, asphalt and mortar; and soil and rock mechanics, including site investigations and lab testing.

Education

  • University of Warwick - Warwick Business School
    Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Business Administration
    1998 - 2000
  • Queen Mary, U. of London
    Master’s Degree, MSc Industrial Petrology
    1980 - 1981
  • The University of Hull
    Bachelor’s Degree, BSc Geology
    1977 - 1980

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