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+233 3123 20324/20280

Dr. Bright Oppong Afum

boafum@umat.edu.gh

Position

Department

Mining Engineering

Research Interest

  1. Surface and Underground Mining Operations, Planing and Design
  2. Mathematical Programming and Modelling
  3. Ore Resource Estimation (Geostatistics)
  4. Explosives and Blasting Technology
  5. Environmental Geochemistry and Speciation
  6. Projects Management
  7. Operations Research (Management Science)
  8. Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
  9. Mining Impact Studies (Atmospheric and Blast Impact Prediction and Modelling)
  10. Geotechnical Studies
  11. Business Statistics




Autobiography

Bright obtained his PhD studies in Natural Resources Engineering (Mining Engineering) from Laurentian University, Canada; Master’s degree in Environmental Monitoring and Analysis from Aberystwyth University, UK; and Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering from the Tarkwa Campus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), now the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Ghana.

He has over 15 years of surface mining, underground mining, environmental studies, projects management, and lecturing experiences in Ghana, Europe and Canada. His research interest span from surface and underground mining options and transitions optimization using mathematical programming, explosives and blasting technologies, application of geotechnical and ventilation techniques to mine planning and design, resource estimation, environmental geochemistry, impact modelling, and project management.

He is a subject matter expert in mine planning and optimization, mathematical modeling of mining variables, drill and blast optimization, blast impact modeling and prediction studies, atmospheric impact modeling and prediction studies, applied geostatistics, and mine closure, reclamation and remediation studies.

Academic Degrees

2021
PhD Natural Resources Engineering (Mining Engineering)
Laurentian University (LU)
2018
Citation in Applied Geostatistics
University of Alberta (UofA)
2012
MSc Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
Aberystwyth University (AU)
2008
BSc Mining Engineering
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

Institutions Attended

2017--2021
Laurentian University
2011--2012
University of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
2004--2008
Western University College of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (WUC of KNUST)
2001--2003
Okuapemman School, Akropong-Akuapem, Eastern Region
1991--2000
African Unity School, La-Accra

Professional Bodies

2023--Date
Professional Engineer, P.Eng., Professional Engineers Ontario, PEO, Canada
2021--Date
Chartered Professional, MAusIMM (CP), Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australia
2020--2021
Member, MPAC, Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada, PDAC, Canada
2017--2021
Member, WAIMM, West African Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum, Ghana
2017--2021
Member, MOSPE, Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, Canada
2014--2021
Member, MAusIMM, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australia
2012--2015
Member (Brigadier), St. John-Ghana
2005--2020
Member, MSME, Society for Mining, Metallurgical and Exploration, USA

Awards

2018
Graduate Summer Fellowship at Laurentian University
2018
Best PhD Presenter, Laurentian University Research Week Celebration
2017
Graduate Sponsorship from Laurentian University to pursue a Citation Program in Applied Geostatistics at the University of Alberta, Canada
2017
Ontario Trillium Scholarship from Ontario Government & Laurentian University to pursue PhD Natural Resources Engineering (Mining) at Laurentian University, Canada
2011
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship from the UK Government & Aberystwyth University to pursue MSc Environmental Monitoring & Analysis at Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom
2005
Spacefon/Areeba Scholarship Scheme to pursue BSc Mining Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana

Academic Rank

2021--Date
Senior Lecturer
2015--2021
Lecturer
2013--2015
Assistant Lecturer

Journal Publications

  1. Afum, B. O. and Ben-Awuah, E. (2021), "“A review of models and algorithms for open pit and underground mining options and transitions optimization: Some lessons learnt and the way forward”", Mining, 1 1, 112-134
  2. Huang, S., Li, G., Ben-Awuah, E., Afum, B. O. and Hu, N. (2019), "“A Stochastic Mixed Integer Linear Programming Framework for Underground Mining Production Scheduling Optimization Considering Grade Uncertainty”,", , , p.12.
  3. Afum, B. O., Ben-Awuah, E. and Askari, H. (2019), "“A Mixed Integer Linear Programming Framework for Optimizing the Extraction Strategy of Open Pit – Underground Mining Options and Transitions, International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment", , ,
  4. Huang, S., Li, G., Ben-Awuah, E., Afum, B. O. and Hu, N. (2019), " “A robust mixed integer linear programming framework for underground cut-and-fill mining production scheduling”,", International Journal of Mining Science and Technology,, , p. 7.
  5. Afum, B. O., Caverson, D. and Ben-Awuah, E. (2018), "“A conceptual framework for characterizing mineralized waste rocks as future resource”,", International Journal of Mining Science and Technology (IJMST),, , p. 7
  6. Afum, B. O. and Opoku, A. F. B. (2018), " “Protecting Mining Environments from Blasting through Impact Prediction Studies”, ", Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,, 6, , 121-132.
  7. Amegbey, N., Afum, B. O., Ndur, S., and Coffie-Anum, E. (2018), " “Protecting Mining Environments from Blasting through Impact Prediction Studies”, ", Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,, 6, , 121-132.
  8. Amegbey, N., Afum, B. O., Ndur, S., and Coffie-Anum, E. (2016), "“Impact Assessment of Atmospheric Pollutants Emissions from Mining Operations at Ghana Manganese Company Ltd.”, ", Ghana Mining Journal, , Vol. 16, No. 2, , pp. 65 - 72.
  9. Afum, B. O. and Owusu, C. (2016), "“Heavy Metal Pollution in the Birim River of Ghana”,", International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis,, Vol. 4, No. 3, , pp. 65-74.
  10. Eshun P. A., Afum B. O. and Boakye A. (2016), "“Drill and Blast Performance Evaluation at the Obra Pit of Chirano Gold Mines Ltd, Ghana”,", Ghana Mining Journal,, Vol. 16, No. 2, , pp. 28 - 35.
  11. Afum, B. O. and Temeng, V. A. (2015), "“Reducing Drill and Blast Cost through Blast Optimisation – A Case Study”, ", Ghana Mining Journal, , Vol. 15, No. 2, , pp. 50 - 57.
  12. Afum B. O., and Temeng V. A. (2014), "Reducing Drill and Blast Cost through Blast Optimisation-A Case Study", 3rd UMaT Biennial International Mining and Mineral Conference, Vol. 3 3, pp137-145
  13. Afum B. O., and Bansah K. J. (2010), "Determination of the Operating Parameters of an Open Pit Dewatering System", 1st UMaT Biennial International Mining and Mineral Conference, Vol. 1 1, pp

Conference Publications

  1. Afum, B. O., & Ben-Awuah, E. (2019), "MILP framework for open pit and underground mining transition evaluation", Application of Computers and Operations Research (APCOM) 2019: Mining Goes Digital, 144-157
  2. Gyamfi, S., and Afum, B. O. (2018), "“Towards the Mine-to-Mine Concept: Rock Fragmentation Evaluation of a Hard Rock Mine”", 5th UMaT Biennial International Mining and Mineral Conference, MN 132-149
  3. Afum, B. O., Caverson, D. and Ben-Awuah, E. (2017), "“Strategic Evaluation of Mineralized Waste Rocks as Future Resource”, ", Mining Optimization Laboratory, MOL Report Eight, University of Alberta,, pp. 36-48.
  4. Afum, B. O., and Ben-Awuah, E. (2017), "“A Review of Models and Algorithms for Strategic Mining Options Optimization”, ", Mining Optimization Laboratory, MOL Report Eight, University of Alberta,, pp. 79-99.
  5. Afum, B. O. and Amegbey, N. (2017), " “Evaluation of Ground Vibration Models in Ghana”,", West African Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (WAIMM) Open Pit Conference, WAIC,
  6. Kansake, B. A., Temeng, V. A. and Afum, B. O. (2016), " “Comparative Analysis of Rock Fragmentation Models – A Case Study”, ", 4th UMaT Biennial International Mining and Mineral Conference,, pp. MP 1 – 11.
  7. Afum, B. O. and Yakubu, I. (2016), "“Geo-Spatial Mapping of Contaminants in the Birim River of Ghana”, ", 4th UMaT Biennial International Mining and Mineral Conference,, pp. xxx.
  8. Afum, B. O. and Danso, R. (2016), "“The Potentials of Pennisetum purpureum as a Dust Barrier and Biodiversity Improvement on a Quarry Site”,", 4th UMaT Biennial International Mining and Mineral Conference, , pp. xxx.
  9. Afum, B. O. (2015), "“Predicting the Atmospheric and Blast Impacts of a Brownfield Mine – A Case Study in Ghana”,", Oman Minerals & Mining Exhibition & Conference, Muscat, Oman. , pp. xxx.
  10. Afum, B. O. and Temeng, V. A. (2014), " “Reducing drill and blast cost through blast optimisation – A case study”, ", 3rd UMaT Biennial International Mining and Mineral Conference,, pp137-145.
  11. Afum, B. O. and Bansah, K. J. (2010), " “Determination of the Operating Parameters of an Open Pit Dewatering System” ", Proceedings of the first biennial UMaT International Conference on Mining & Mineral Processing, “Expanding the Frontiers of Mining Technology”, Tarkwa, Ghana,

Community Service

2022--2023
Facilitator, Master Class in Mine Dewatering
2022--2023
Facilitator, Master Class in Mine Ventilation
2022--2023
Facilitator, Master Class in Explosives & Blasting Engineering
2019--2020
President, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 5011 Local, Graduate Teaching Assistants Association, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
2019--2020
Member, Finance Committee, Board of Governors, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
2019--2020
Member, Board of Governors, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
2018--2019
Vice President, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 5011 Local, Graduate Teaching Assistants Association, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
2016--2016
Facilitator, Short Course on Mining Operations for District Officers of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
2016--2016
Facilitator, Short Course on Surface and Underground Mining for Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners
2016--2016
Facilitator, Short Course on Mining Operations for District Officers of the Minerals Commission
2014--2021
Patron, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) Tarkwa Student Chapter, Tarkwa, Ghana
2014--2014
Member, Accommodation Committee, 3rd UMaT Biennial International Conference in Mining and Mineral Conference
2014--2016
Member (Departmental Examination Officer), School of Postgraduate Board Meetings to present Examination Results of Postgraduate Students of the Mining Engineering Department, UMaT
2014--2016
Member (Departmental Examination Officer), Faculty Board Meetings to present Examination Results of both Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students of the Mining Engineering Department, UMaT
2013--2013
Facilitator, Short Course on Drilling Methods and Techniques for Newmont Ghana Ahafo Mine workers, Ahafo Mine, Sunyani, Ghana
2013--2016
Member, Departmental Board Meetings, UMaT

Research Conducted

2014--2014
Blast Impact Prediction Studies
2014--2014
Atmospheric Diffusion Studies
2014--2014
Mine Closure and Strategic Reclamation Plan of a Quarry
2012--2012
Assessment of the Physico-chemical parameters and Contaminant Mapping of the Birim River of Ghana
2012--2012
Health Impact Assessment of Silvermines Village-Nenagh, Ireland
2012--2012
Geochemistry of Cadmium in the environment
2011--2011
Assessment of Environmental Pollution from a former Mines and Designing of Remediation Technique at Anglesey, North Wales, UK
2011--2011
Assessment of passive and active remediation systems at former mines in South Wales, UK
2008--2008
A Design of a Dewatering System at Ambassador Bright Goldfields Ltd-Hypothetical Mine

Subjects Taught

Postgraduate Programme (Introduction to Mining Engineering, Explosives & Rock Fragmentation)
Undergraduate Programme (Mine Planning & Design, Operations Research, Underground Mining Systems, Ground Fragmentation, Elements of Mining & Rock Fragmentation)

Other Professional Experience

2011--2012
Instrumental Analytical Competencies [Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV), Flame Emission Spectrometry (FES), Ion Chromatography (IC), Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry (UVS), Coulometer-TC and TOC analyses]
2010--2013
Mining/Projects Engineer at African Underground Mining Services, Chirano Projects
2008--2010
Mining Engineer/Site Supervisor, AEL Mining Services, Bogoso Sites
RELATED SEARCH Prof. Newton AmegbeyProf. Daniel Mireku-GyimahAssoc. Prof. Sulemana Al-HassanAssoc. Prof. Victor Amoako TemengDr. Clement Kweku ArthurMr. Richard AmoakoMr. Emmanuel John Andrew AppianingMr. Richard GyebuniMr. Michael Owusu-Tweneboah