Innovation and Sustainability in Mining

Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional journey, particularly highlighting your experience in phosphate mining, mine planning, and leading Minecs Consulting in the MENA region?

I graduated as a mining engineer from a French mining school in 1982. Immediately after, I joined the Phosphate Company of Gafsa. Located in southern Tunisia, I was hired as the mining and planning engineer, responsible for implementing mining and mine planning designs for a new phosphate project. Subsequently, I moved to two other phosphate mines within the Phosphate Company of Gafsa. Altogether, I spent 10 years in the field as a mining and planning engineer at the Phosphate Company of Gafsa. Later, I was asked to join the General Mining Department in the ministry responsible for mining activities.

I worked there for nearly 20 years—specifically, 19 years—as Director of Development and Mineral Transformation Activities within the ministry, overseeing mining operations.

This included overseeing phosphate transformation and some metallic mining projects, whether focused on production or environmental considerations.
I retired at the age of 55 in 2011. Immediately afterward, I founded my own consulting company, Minecs, where I continue to work to this day.

Minecs is a consulting and…