Leapfrog
Judah Zulu
Chililabombwe
Summary
Highly proficient Geologist specializing in hydrogeology and geophysics, known for excellent problem-solving and strategic planning skills. Adept at developing feasible workflows and efficiently allocating resources. Possesses an excellent work ethic, a dedication to accuracy, and the ability to quickly learn and effectively manage multiple projects.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Hydrogeologist
Mingomba Mine Limited
03.2024 - Current
- The following outlines a comprehensive set of responsibilities and achievements in the domain of mine hydrogeology, focusing on data management, strategic mine support, advanced modeling, and external stakeholder engagement within the Konkola basin.
- 1. Data Acquisition and Field Testing
- Piezometer Network Management: Responsible for the design, installation, and ongoing maintenance of the piezometer monitoring network across active exploration drill holes and production areas. This includes selecting appropriate instruments, ensuring accurate placement, and establishing robust protocols for data integrity and calibration.
- Hydraulic Testing: Conducted detailed in-situ hydraulic conductivity testing, primarily utilizing Packer testing (both single and double packer methods) to characterize the permeability of different lithological units and fracture networks within the Mingomba ore body. This data is critical for accurate groundwater flow estimation.
- Flow Monitoring: Instituted and managed a continuous flow monitoring program for the site's entire water circuit, meticulously tracking both the mine's influent streams (inflow from surface runoff, rainfall, and dewatering) and effluent discharge streams. This ensured regulatory compliance and provided the foundational data for developing a site-wide water balance model.
- 2. Mine Support and Strategic Water Management
- Dewatering Strategy Development: Serving on to the Mine Development team, providing expert input on strategic water management and dewatering strategies. This involves forecasting groundwater ingress rates, designing optimal dewatering layouts (including location, depth, and pump specifications), and assessing the potential hydraulic impact on future mine development phases.
- Mine Design Integration: Incorporating hydrogeological risk assessment and mitigation measures directly into the mine design considerations, focusing on minimizing groundwater inflow to working areas, optimizing drainage infrastructure, and ensuring geotechnical stability of shafts and ramps affected by pore pressure identifying high-inflow zones requiring targeted grouting or pre-drainage.
- 3. Modeling and Analysis
- Conceptual Model Development: Developing comprehensive Conceptual Hydrogeological Models of the Mingomba regime, integrating geological structure, stratigraphy, faulting, hydrological boundaries, and historical water level data to accurately define the physical system and boundary conditions within the wider Konkola basin.
- 4. External Engagement and Regional Collaboration
- Consultant Management: Actively engaged with and managed relationships with specialist mine development and hydrogeological consultants. This involved defining the scope of work for external studies, critically reviewing technical reports and models, and ensuring seamless integration of consultant findings with internal project goals.
- Basin-Wide Collaboration: Championed and participated in a collaborative initiative with neighboring major mining operations, specifically Lubambe and Konkola Copper Mines. The goal of this collaborative effort was to share regional hydrogeological data and coordinate efforts toward the creation of a unified, comprehensive basin-wide hydrogeological model for the entire Konkola basin, ensuring sustainable and cooperative water resource management across the shared aquifer system.
Hydrogeologist
Aquauest
04.2021 - 03.2024
- Conducted resistivity surveys for groundwater potential at over 100 locations across 9 districts in Central, Northern, Lusaka, and Luapula Provinces.
- Utilized remote sensing and GIS for structural geology information extraction. Performed desk studies and water catchment modeling for wellfields supporting commercial farms and water reticulation companies, including Nkana Water and Sanitation Company Ltd.
- Drilled and test pumped over 50 rural water supply boreholes. Supervised drilling, step drawdown tests, and 24-hour test pumping of commercial boreholes.
- Managed drilling and civil works field teams, conducted water quality assessments, performed final site inspections, and carried out Schmidt hammer testing on concrete works for USAID's Scaling Up Nutrition Technical Assistance (SUNTA) boreholes, including writing completion reports.
- Installed Campbell dataloggers to measure water discharge levels at five weirs (spillways) at FQM Kalumbila Mine.
- Conducted borehole camera investigation surveys for various clients, including a survey at FQM Kalumbila mine pit for BABA Drilling, which aided in salvaging a dewatering borehole with disjointed casings.
- Installed 35 Campbell Scientific Automated Weather Stations on behalf of the Zambia Meteorological Department as part of a World Bank-funded climate resilience project.
Hydrogeologist
WRC Consultants Limited
07.2020 - 03.2021
- Drilled and test pumped over 40 rural water supply boreholes across six districts in Lusaka and Southern Provinces.
- Performed water quality assessments.
- Developed geological, structural, and hydrogeological frameworks, and correlated geophysics and drilling results.
- Held bi-weekly meetings with Government and UNICEF officials.
- Engaged with local communities.
Site Engineer
Chibwelamushi Enterprises Limited
02.2020 - 04.2020
- Procured materials and performed quality checks on concrete works.
- Liaised with RDA engineers during site visits to the project area.
- Supervised on-site construction of drainage channels, ensuring quality and size of materials such as sand and dimension stone.
- Performed administrative tasks including managing workers, generating payroll, resolving conflicts, and carrying out disciplinary actions.
Student Intern
Luiri Gold Mine
10.2017 - 11.2017
- Performed geological field mapping for Luiri Gold Mine in and around the pit area, establishing lithological and structural trends controlling gold (Au) mineralization in the Luiri Hill area.
Geologist
Geo-Stream Consultants Limited
01.2020 - 04.2020
- Conducted remote sensing and GIS surveys to extract structural and geological information (e.g., alteration zones, iron-rich zones, oxide zones) prior to ground truthing exercises.
- Performed geological field mapping of country rock structures, petrographic analysis, and stratigraphic correlation.
- Executed geochemical soil sampling, followed by analysis and interpretation of results to identify anomalous values against continental crust background values.
- Carried out magnetic surveys to delineate regions of high magnetic susceptibility and performed structural analysis.
Education
BSC - Bachelor of Mineral Science Geology
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia01.2019
Full Grade 12 Certificate - undefined
Serenje Technical Secondary School
Serenje, Zambia01.2011
Skills
- Leapfrog
- QGIS
- Ground Water Vistas
- HEC-RAS
- Foundational Python knowledge
- Strong interpersonal communication
- Collaborative team player
- Self-directed work ethic under tight timelines
- Adherence to ethical practices
- Effective task prioritization
Affiliations
I am a member of the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ).
Timeline
Hydrogeologist
Mingomba Mine Limited
03.2024 - Current
Hydrogeologist
Aquauest
04.2021 - 03.2024
Hydrogeologist
WRC Consultants Limited
07.2020 - 03.2021
Site Engineer
Chibwelamushi Enterprises Limited
02.2020 - 04.2020
Geologist
Geo-Stream Consultants Limited
01.2020 - 04.2020
Student Intern
Luiri Gold Mine
10.2017 - 11.2017
Full Grade 12 Certificate - undefined
Serenje Technical Secondary School
BSC - Bachelor of Mineral Science Geology
University of Zambia
References
- Juan, Smulders, Project Manager, juansmulders@gmail.com, Aquauest
- John, Ngambi, Senior Hydrogeologist, +260970325712, Mingomba Mine Limited
- Clifford, Mazibuko, Director, +260978830333, WRC
- Bernard, Mwibwe, Managing Director, +260978828669, Chibwelamushi Enterprises Ltd
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Disclaimer
Certification: I, the undersigned, certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief, this CV correctly describes myself, my qualifications, and my experience. Judah Zulu 27th of November 2025
Software
Groundwater Vistas
QGIS
HEC-RAS
Python
Languages
English
Interests
Formula 1