OUR APPROACH VALUES

OUR TEAM

• KARIM WILLIAM V. KAPELA

  Mr. Kapela has proven experience in high finance, financial engineering, especially fundraising and in the management of major projects. He was the founder and manager of the Hedge Fund called “Virunga Fund” and CEO of Covif Limited for nearly 15 years. At the same time, he has been a financial consultant to various financial platforms, banks and large private investment fund managers for nearly 10 years. Prior to that, he was Project Director for the Euro Investment Group. As a result, his experience and expertise in high finance and project management has enabled him to work on several important issues and programs for developing countries. He has worked also as Director of Projects, of MGI Telecom (Switzerland Company) in France and for Africa in the field of telecommunications and ICT. Mr. Kapela has expertise in negotiations, financing, support and management of major projects for developing countries. He also has rare expertise in strategy and good governance of intergovernmental relations. Because he collaborates with the biggest lobbying groups on the international level.

• Claudine Tshimanga

  is involved in research and in projects implementation on households’ wellbeing improvement. She pays particular attention to the challenges of development and pro-poor growth, working on Poverty reduction and on Political Economy of Mining Resources in DR Congo. She holds a PhD in Economics (Universiteit Antwerpen, Belgium) and has recently published or co-published on Poverty Reduction Evolution in DRC (Musée Royal de l’Afrique Central and L’Harmattan, 2012) on The spectacular renaissance of copper-cobalt mining in DRC, Where does the mine rent go? (Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale and L’Harmattan, 2013), The black holes of mine rent in DRC (Musée Royal de l’Afrique Central and L’Harmattan. She had done consultancies for institutions like E-CA -CRE-AC (Expertise for Central Africa), CORDAID (Dutch NGO) and UPPE-SRP of DRC Planning Ministry (unit of the development and implementation process of the Poverty Reduction Strategy). She had co-assessed Kisenso’s Urban Social Funds impact on households Poverty reduction as well as on their capabilities and social capital reinforcement (FSU/CTB).

• KWESI APPIAH

  a Senior Geologist and Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, has numerous years’ experience on gold and base metals exploration, mining and consulting professional.

  He was a member of the ‘’Goldcrushers” team that got third (3rd) place in the Integra Gold Rush challenge:

  His range of experience covers Greenfield’s/Brownfields exploration, feasibility studies and open pit mining. Kwei sets high standards, ensures that targets are being met on schedule and on budget, is safety conscious and has strong leadership, communication, planning and mentoring skills. His experience with managing and supervising substantial exploration and mine development programs in DRC, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Ghana, Tanzania, and Senegal has also equipped him with excellent decision-making and trouble shooting skills.

  Key achievements and career highlights include:

  * His work experience at the giant (>40 Moz) Obuasi orogenic lode-gold deposit, Ashanti Belt, Ghana.
  * His pivotal role in implementing an improved structural model for down-dip extensions of sulphide orebodies at the Wassa mine (>2.0MozAu), Ghana, that added additional gold ounces (0.5 Moz) to the feasibility study target, ahead of schedule and on budget, whilst simultaneously helping to increase monthly production target by 20,000 oz.
  His pivotal role in extending the life of mine (LoM) at the Syama mine (>5 Moz), Mali, by an additional 4 years beyond the expected LoM.
  * In a recent interview with Leon Louw, editor of African Mining and Mining Mirror,
  Kwesi Appiah talks about West Africa as an exploration destination and his belief that
  the world's next big gold deposit will be found in West Africa.
  

• Medard B.L. Mukuna

  is an agricultural economics expert with more than 25 years of experience working in agricultural socioeconomic, and rural development projects funded by the African Development Bank in various countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Senegal, Guinea, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Swaziland, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others. He is highly skilled project manager with specific expertise in leading field missions, developing project strategies, conducting program monitoring and evaluation (PME) including writing of appraisal reports, and preparing and managing budget for project implementation. He is also an established networker with direct experience coordinating and negotiating with bilateral and multilateral donor agencies such as the World Bank, CIDA, FAO, IFAD, AFD as well as local governments and other project stakeholders. He is endowed with an extensive knowledge in organizational management and human resource management with hands-on experience in the areas of recruitment training and administrative operations management. He holds a substantial experience in education management including the administration of youth services for new immigrants and evaluation of volunteer programs in schools. He holds a M.Sc. Degree, Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A., a Certificate, Economics and Statistics from Economics Institute, University of Colorado, Colorado, U.S.A. and a B.Sc. Degree, Agricultural Engineering and Rural Economics from National University of Zaire, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

• JEAN-MARC MUTOMBO NKUNI

  Has a long experience in managing international projects funded by multilateral funders: USAID, CIDA, World Bank, AFD, UNICEF, EU. His responsabilities included responsibility for oversight of budget management, operational risk mitigation, and regulation compliance. M. Mutombo has a sound experience in providing project leadership and support to multiple offices and locations, as well as supervising experts teams. Expert in planning international projects in accordance with the results based management (RBM) and gender approaches. Expertise in sustainable development, capacity building and social justice. Experience working in post-conflict and/or fragile environments. Has provided consulting services for a social responsabiltiy projet to Kibali Mining corp. In the Democratique Republic of the Congo. The Consultant has managed projects in Africa (DR Congo, Cameroon, Zambia, South-Africa, Madagascar, Mali, Burundi, Gabon, Congo-Brazzaville), in South America (Peru, Argentina) Europe and Canada.
  He detains a Master degree in Public Administration, a DESS in international management from École Nationale d’Administration Publique (ENAP)/Montréal and also a Management degree for the Protestant University of Kinshasa.

• Joseph M. Ameni

  works as a business project developer in oil/mining exploration and community affairs with particular interests in markets analyses, strategic alliances, corporate social responsibilities and legal matters. He is co-founder of some mining exploration/oil supply companies of which Copperzone Resources Limited operating in Zambia. Previously, he had an 18-year empowering career as a corporate secretary and a regional manager for various state-owned/international private oil supply corporations in DRC, with professional responsibilities including the management of the public and governmental relations, the promotion of oil exploration programmes in the DRC basins towards international investors, and the negotiation of various oil supply agreements. Was moreover granted some mandates as a consultant for junior mining exploration/oil supply companies operating in DRC. He holds various degrees and certificates in oil/energy management and Business Law respectively delivered by École des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC) in Montreal, Canada, Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP) in Ruel-Malmaison, France, IAFE (ENI) in Roma, Italy, Petroconsultant in Geneva, Switzerland and University of Kinshasa, DRC.

• FRANÇOIS TUPULA YAMBA

  Holder of a PHD in civil engineering followed by an MBA in Finance and International Management from HEC of the University of Montreal. After a career at HydroQuebec where he worked in turn as an expert and manager, François has more than 40 years of experience in International Development assisting developing countries in the planning and construction of infrastructures, Technical Assistance and institutional support to public and parapublic companies. In the energy sector, François has successfully led projects in energy potential assessment, power generation, transmission and distribution in several African countries.

• JEAN-LUC KAHAMBA

  won a scholarship of the European Union: in 1981, he graduated in Civil Engineering with the best notes at the Politecnico of Rome University in ITALY. Engineer and manager, Prof. KAHAMBA has more than 30 years in mining sector behind him! He began as young engineer in pit mine software design for GECAMINES in KOLWEZI: how to find the optimal cut profile in mine excavation! Then, as Corporate Risk Manager for the same company for twenty years: how to minimize the technical, financial and human risks in the enterprise! For that, he was chosen to become the first President of the Congolese Association of Risk Managers. Now, he is presently working in KOLWEZI as Deputy General Manager of a Chinese mine company, subsidiary of the multinational ZIJIN GROUP. During his long multidisciplinary career, he was faced with a huge quantity of logistic issues, with critical electrical deliveries, with political and social crisis! From his substantial experience in the mining sector, he took elements to advise many mining companies to manage with the New DRC Mining Code! A lot of companies called him also to win the energy gap!
  Mr. KAHAMBA is well known to his contribution in many seminars, conferences in DR. CONGO, KENYA, USA, ITALY and CHINA! He is now teaching in LUBUMBASHI to Master students 'Entrepreneurship and Innovation'.

• MASSAMBA MUSSUNGU RIGOBERT

  Four star (4****) General Officer of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo is a training pilot officer from the Italian Air Force combat pilot (fighter) option. He has received trainings as a combat pilot on MIRAGE 5 supersonic french aircraft, as an operational pilot and flight instructor in France. After various command duties, he became Chief of staff of the Congolese Air Force and ended his military career as Inspector General of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Today in retirement, he made the choice to convert into the agribusiness and one of the key partners of AMOIL CONSULTANTS Inc.

• GRACE KABULANDA BALAMBULA

  Passionate about geology and mining techniques, she devoted the first research of her academic curriculum to mineralization in the DRC. Then, she focused her Master's research on the evaluation of the potential of copper mineralization at the Ambed mine in Bouazzer, Morocco.

  Currently project manager in an environmental consultancy firm, she is involved in writing reports on a national scale, notably in Morocco, and on a regional scale, in various African countries.

  After having brilliantly defended her thesis in Geosciences and Environment and received her diploma with the congratulations of the jury, she adds to her technical skills her environmental knowledge by bringing a critical analysis on environmental management both in abandoned mines and in mines in operation and for the preparation of pre-mining EIA. This determination has enabled her to carry out exploration work in the DRC and on various slag heaps in Morocco and to propose value generating solutions.

• Schadrac Ibrango

  A professional geologist oriented toward quick results with eighteen (18) years of international experience in fields covering mineral exploration over the whole range of activities (targets generation to drilling), Mining geology, geological modelling, Mineral resource and reserves estimates, geostatistics (basic and advanced), project management, audit and due diligence of advanced mining projects, business development and water resource systems. The large part of his working experience was gained in mining operations, exploration companies and geoscience consulting environment. A qualified Person (QP or CP) for project evaluation and reporting according the different code recognized worldwide (Ni 43-101, JORC, SAMREC, etc.) Professional geologist member in good standing of the Québec Order of Geologist (OGQ, Canada) and the Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada). Strong background in precious metals, base metals, Iron and several industrial minerals. His capabilities in precious metals are focused in gold with different genetic signatures (orogenic Gold deposits, epithermal deposits, porphyry systems, etc.).His current assignments are related to geological modelling and mineral resource estimates as QP person, geostatistical analysis, database building and management, projects evaluation for clients (banks, investors, mining companies, etc.) , audits and due diligence studies, assistance for exploration programs (Project generation, QA/QC, drilling). I have also recently completed an Executive Master in Business Administration (MBA) which has allowed me to gather competencies in leadership, marketing and managerial duties. Shadrac works in a multidisciplinary and integrated environment with permanent interactions with the mine planning department and the process department.

• MATONGA SIMONINI MARCO

  Diamond grader, Expert evaluator of polished, rough diamonds and Mineral Resources.

  In 2002 from his substantial studies of diamond grading and identification certificates according to I.D.C.-rules for grading polished diamonds, rough diamonds-basic, extended diamond grading, and identification sorting of polished diamonds-small goods. He was a certified H.R.D at World Diamond Center Institute of gemology in Antwerp/Belgium.

  Previously as a Diamond trader, he participated in several auctions (tenders) of rough diamonds in Angola, D.R.Congo, and Belgium. Buyer, supplier, and Diamonds broker at international diamond stock exchange Labour market in Antwerp-Belgium, South Africa Republic and Republic of Lebanon. With his lots of experience in golds fields projects, he participated many times in a Diamonds and gold mining in quarries projects at Tembo, Tshikapa, Mbuji-Mayi, Béni, Butembo, and Mambassa D.R.C. Minings. Member of Kwango Mining project on D.R.C., he supervised the exploitation and the Memoranda of understanding between ENDIAMA s.a./Angola and shareholders of this business.

  As Master Marine for seagoing vessels, he provides consulting services for European Union at Kinshasa/Project P.A.N.A.V and navigation trainer at CRFNI/Kinshasa dependent on C.I.C.O.S. Master in Nautical Sciences at Antwerp Maritime Academy/Belgium at 1991. He also detains a Master of « Droit Maritime et Droit Aérien », Université Libre de Bruxelles. Then he gets his certificate, under the provisions of the international convention on standards of training, certification and watch keeping for seafarers 1978, as amended by International Maritime Organization. STCW Capacity: MASTER “NO LIMITATIONS” issued in 2007 by Federal Public Service for Mobility and Transport/Belgium.

  He holds various certificates and refreshed some of them such as advance fire fighting, Medical care, Ship Security Officer, Bridge Resource Management, Certificate of proficiency, ECDIS, GMDSS,…Advance Tanker training program certificates of Chemicals, Oil & Gas/ Warsash Maritime Academy-Solent University, United Kingdom at 2008, 2009, and 2014. He works as Chief Mate, at Belgian Dredging International Company s.a., Master in refrigerated containers ships for seagoing vessel since 2013, and Congo River pilot’s, in maritime reach of Congo River from estuary of Banana to Matadi port and in Middle reach for more than ten years. Seas passages and voyages all over the world across seas and oceans as deck officers, Captain and Diamonds trader.

• Willy L. Mwamba

  is presently working as a business project developer for biodiesel production in Africa. He has previously had a long career as an oil production and reservoir engineer in DRC with Gulf Oil and Chevron Oil Company after the merge of the two corporations. As production engineer he has intensively participated in the expansion of the oil production facilities on several oil fields at the Atlantic coast of DRC. As Oil reservoir engineer he has had a major input in the planning and the implementation of the water flooding project of one of the major oil field reservoir of Chevron Oil Company in DRC,the Mibale field.

  He holds a Master Degree in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Athens Greece and several certificates in oil production engineering techniques from Flopetrol in Melun France, from Gulf oil Company in Houston and New Orleans, from Chevron Oil Company in San Ramon California. He also obtained several certificates in the oil gas lifting technique from Rike Service in New Orleans and certificates in Management from the American Management Associations. He attended a few years ago in Germany a school on solar energy harnessing as well as managing the building of a passive house (Energy saving house). He graduated from the school with the best notes ( A ) on the certificates.

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