Program Lecturer Members

Meet our Program Lecturer Members

The professors participating in the International Caving-Engineering Diploma 2025-2026 are professionals and experts with a recognized track record in fields such as geology, geomechanics, seismicity, rock blasting, mine planning and mine projects. Their experience combines scientific knowledge with field practice, providing comprehensive, rigorous, and applied training to address the real challenges of cave exploration and conservation. Additionally, they promote an interdisciplinary approach that emphasizes safety, respect for the environment, and the development of advanced technical skills among participants.

Javier Ruiz Del Solar

Automation

AMTC, University of Chile

Javier Ruiz Del Solar

Automation

Rigoberto Rimmelin

Global Practice Lead Geotechnical

BHP, Australia

Rigoberto Rimmelin

Global Practice Lead Geotechnical

With over 20 years of global experience in both Underground and Open Pit mining, he leads global continuous improvement in geotechnical engineering, including strategy, risk management, and value, leads the development of standards, promotes their implementation across the business, and provides assurance. He has developed an internal and external network of geotechnical professionals promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement as a trusted advisor across BHP Regions of Minerals Americas, Minerals Australia and Petroleum and providing expert advice for independent Peer Reviews and other reviews as required.

Fidel Báez

Mine Design, Mine management

Independent Consultant, Chile

Fidel Báez

Mine Design, Mine management

Senior mining expert: European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Member of Board Center of Innovation and Collaboration: Orica mining services and Senior Advisor of the Block Caving Lab: University of Chile.

Andrés Brzovic

Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Independent Consultant, Canada

Andrés Brzovic

Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Mining engineer with 26 years of experience in primary and secondary copper ore cave mining operations, mining developments, and feasibility studies Specialty: Geology, Geotechnics

Raúl Castro

Associate Professor

Universidad de Chile, Chile

Raúl Castro

Associate Professor

Mining engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the cave mining industry, in engineering and applied research areas. As an Associate Professor at the University of Chile, he teaches courses in Geomechanics, Materials Handling, Ventilation, and Underground Mine Design. He is recognized for a distinguished career in mine planning and the development of design tools applied to mining engineering. His organizational and technical skills have been crucial to developing projects for Codelco DET and PMCHS, Newcrest Mining Cadia and Wafi-Golpu, Rio Tinto and Agnico Eagle Goldex. He was Co-Chairman of the Eighth Mass Mining Conference MassMin 2020, and UMining 2024.

Javier Vallejos

Geomechanics

Universidad de Chile

Javier Vallejos

Geomechanics

Extensive experience in project engineering at national and international levels, specializing in mine design, geotechnical engineering, and geomechanical modeling for both underground and open-pit operations. Also serves as a professor at the University of Chile, bringing academic insight and industry expertise to every project.

Erik Eberhardt

Geology

UBC - University of British Columbia, Canadá

Erik Eberhardt

Geology

Director, Geological Engineering, UBC Professor, Rock Mechanics & Rock Engineering, UBC

David Cuello

Geomechanics

GMT, Australia

David Cuello

Geomechanics

With over 20 years of experience in the mining industry, specializing in rock mechanics across underground mining operations—including caving and open stoping—as well as open pit mines. He has successfully led geotechnical engineering teams in managing caving operations in complex and challenging environments. As Group Manager, he was responsible for overseeing all geotechnical studies and operations, including mergers and acquisitions, and was also accountable for establishing enterprise geotechnical standards and leading geotechnical reviews.

Miguel Fuenzalida

Geomechanics Modelling

Itasca, United States

Miguel Fuenzalida

Geomechanics Modelling

Principal Geomechanics and Mining Engineer, Itasca. With experience in the application of physical and numerical modeling to sequencing and support of underground excavations, mine planning and surface subsidence.

Dmitriy Malovichko

Seismicity

Institute of Mine Seismology, SA

Dmitriy Malovichko

Seismicity

Director and Head of Applied Seismology – IMS Australia. Responsible for seismological services for mines such as processing and interpretation of seismicity and investigation of large or damaging seismic events. Also involved in research projects in mine seismology.

Juan Pablo Henríquez

Rock Blasting

Enaex, Chile

Juan Pablo Henríquez

Rock Blasting

Mining Engineer with professional experience in underground mining, specifically in production blasting for block caving operations. Served as Technical Representative for the Chuquicamata Underground Mine Project, preparing explosive charge proposals, blast sequencing, design analyses and recommendations, and evaluating blast quality.

Sergio Gaete

Seismicity

Capstone Copper, Chile

Sergio Gaete

Seismicity

Alex Catalán

Rock Mechanics

International Consultants, Australia

Alex Catalán

Rock Mechanics

As Chief Advisor at Caving Geomechanics, his main responsibilities include providing second-line assurance for caving projects and operations, as well as offering technical leadership and direction for caving studies. He ensures that lessons learned and best practices are appropriately applied to the specific conditions of each orebody to achieve optimal business performance. He undertakes performance monitoring and evaluation of managed caving projects and operations and recommends and supports the implementation of improvement measures as needed. He also manages underground mining improvement and innovation initiatives—including their identification, development, and execution—with a focus on enhancing safety, productivity, financial outcomes, and overall business performance.

Danko Morales

Rock Blasting

Enaex, Chile

Danko Morales

Rock Blasting

Underground and Open-Pit Mining Manager with extensive experience in large scale copper mining across various areas, including investment project evaluation, leadership of mining projects and underground mine operations, as well as expertise in engineering, operational excellence, risk management, and cost and budget management.

Daniel Stinnette

Ventilation

Independent Consultant, United States

Daniel Stinnette

Ventilation

Currently leading a new ventilation consulting company with a focus on process and technological innovation and exceptional client service. Now building strategic partnerships with industry-leading companies and individuals.

Alfonso Ovalle

Mine Planning

Independet Consultor, Chile

Alfonso Ovalle

Mine Planning

Underground mine expert in caving methods, with 52 years of experience, half in operations and half in engineering

Daniel Villa

Mine Planning

Dassault System, Canada

Daniel Villa

Mine Planning

With 25 years of experience as a mining engineer, and a M.A.Sc. from the University of British Columbia, specialized in sub-level and block caving operations, including feasibility studies and mine operations management. Former Director of the Caving Business Unit, where he led initiatives globally, employing proprietary solutions like Footprint Finder, PCBC, and PCSLC across major caving mines.

Allan Moss

Mine Projects

UBC, Canada

Allan Moss

Mine Projects

Currently President at Sonal Mining Technology, an owner operated company specializing in technical aspects of underground bulk mining operations and the application of technology to underground mining. In addition, he is a Director of Entre Resources and an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia where he teaches the practice of caving and chairs ICaRN, UBC’s caving research initiative. With over 45 years of experience in underground mining and 25 years in caving, he is currently providing independent technical advice on caving and bulk mining.

+562 2978 4477

diploma.caving@ing.uchile.cl

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Meet our Program Lecturer Members

Javier Ruiz Del Solar

Rigoberto Rimmelin

Fidel Báez

Andrés Brzovic

Raúl Castro

Javier Vallejos

Erik Eberhardt

David Cuello

Miguel Fuenzalida

Dmitriy Malovichko

Juan Pablo Henríquez

Sergio Gaete

Alex Catalán

Danko Morales

Daniel Stinnette

Alfonso Ovalle

Daniel Villa

Allan Moss

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