Maptek is proud to announce the newest members of our Hall of Fame. These individuals have made significant contributions in their fields and have inspired others through their achievements.
Announcing the 2024 inductees during MINExpo International, Maptek CEO Eduardo Coloma thanked each of them for their commitment to promoting technology in mining.
The award recognises exceptional people who have championed Maptek products.
‘They have made lasting industry contributions and inspired others through their passion,’ said Coloma. ‘What stands out is a willingness to lead by example and share enthusiasm with others so that our solutions are widely understood and easily adopted at their operations.’
‘We value such connections with our customers – their feedback and collaboration has helped to refine our tools and enhance applications for all industry users.
‘Maptek prides itself on strong customer relationships, with more than 30,000 licences currently in use worldwide. Many individuals and corporations have deployed our technology since 1981. It is gratifying to acknowledge these nine leaders today,’ said Coloma.
2024 Maptek Hall of Fame
Senior Mine Engineer at Freeport McMoRan, John Combs has led innovations in geomechanics and slope optimisation using advanced technologies like LiDAR and drone photogrammetry. His work has significantly impacted mine reclamation and design conformance across various roles during his 15-year career.
With over 50 years of experience in mine management and geology, Bill Everett has championed the use of modern technologies in the iron ore industry, including computer-based truck dispatch and mine engineering. As Manager of Mining & Mineral Resources at Mesabi Metallics, he continues to promote sustainable mining practices.
President & CEO of Emperor Metals, John Florek brings over 35 years of expertise in geology and mining, having held senior roles with major companies like BHP and Barrick. Known for his innovative use of machine learning in exploration, he continues to drive advancements in the development of high-grade gold deposits.
As General Manager of Technical Services at Whitehaven Coal, Shaun Leary has over three decades of experience in leadership and technical roles across various sectors, including mining and finance. He has played a key role in advancing the use of Maptek solutions in coal mining and remains committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies for future growth.
Vice President of Ontario Operations for Agnico Eagle, Andre Leite has more than 20 years of operational, technical and project management experience in the gold, base metals, uranium and iron ore mining industries. A Maptek customer for over a decade, he uses applications for geological and resource modelling, short and long term mine planning, geotechnical modelling, and drill and blast processes.
With nearly 30 years of experience in the mining industry, Toby Prior is a Resource Geologist and co-owner of Measured Group Pty Ltd. A dedicated Vulcan user since 2003, he excels in applying stratigraphic modelling tools to create more accurate, reliable models, especially for structurally complex mining projects.
Head of Mineral Resource Management at Nevada Gold Mines, Patrick Ruffridge brings a wealth of experience in resource geology and ore control, having worked across multiple mining districts. A strong advocate for data-driven workflows and team development, he has been instrumental in enhancing geology’s role in maximising mining value.
With 25 years of experience in geology across gold, nickel and iron ore operations, Brent van Dijken is Principal of the Problematic Ore Project at BHP. He has been a key leader in leveraging Vulcan 3D modelling tools to improve drill design, resource modelling and materials handling, while also driving product enhancements through close collaboration with Maptek.
Managing Director of AVCS, Andrew Vidale has nearly four decades of expertise in open pit mine evaluation, covering pit optimisation, design and cost modelling. His collaboration with Maptek, spanning more than 30 years, continues as he leverages Evolution for medium-term scheduling across diverse mining projects.
‘These champions have set a standard of excellence by encouraging their teams to adopt the latest solutions. Future generations will benefit from their legacy,’ concluded Coloma.
Please join Maptek in congratulating the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees!
About Maptek
Maptek believes that to make mining more efficient, miners should be enabled to make better decisions. That’s why all our effort is focused on providing integrated decision-making support solutions. This integration is particularly important as it enables us to turn data into knowledge at every stage of the mining life cycle. Ultimately by fully integrating that knowledge Maptek wants to change the way mining is done forever. And we’ll achieve it by living our principles every day.
