Mining and mineral exploration consultancy SRK Consulting has appointed geological consultant Dominique Sambwa as chairperson of SRK Consulting Congo, based in Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Sambwa says an important aspect of his role as chairperson is to promote the application of global standards in the field of geological reporting.

“To build a firm foundation for the country’s mining sector, it is critical that exploration and mining data generated by mining operations is accurately reported in line with accepted standards. SRK will also continue to nurture and mentor local professionals, to help build internal capacity and growth,” he comments.

Sambwa has 25 years of experience in the minerals sector of the DRC and joined the SRK Lubumbashi office when it was established more than a decade ago. The office now has 14 local professionals and support staff, and is an integral part of SRK’s global network of engineers and scientists in 45 offices.

His work at SRK has included several greenfield and brownfield projects in the DRC, Guinea, Tanzania and Zambia focused on various facets aimed at resource estimation, including exploration, quality assurance and quality control compliance, best practice, data management, geographic information systems and project management.

Sambwa’s career began in field exploration, leading him to join State-owned copper and cobalt mine Gécamines in 1998. His role expanded into plant production management, and then into process plant planning and establishment. After returning to the prospecting field in 2006, he entered consulting in 2008 as Onyx Consulting founding MD, before joining SRK Consulting in 2010.

Sambwa holds a BSc (Hons) in geology and mineralogy from the University of Lubumbashi, and is a member of the Ordre National des Géologues du Congo and the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. He speaks French, English, Swahili and Lingala.