As part of the The Dewatering Institute‘s commitment towards knowledge sharing, TDI is developing a series of monthly interviews of industry leaders and professionals from different parts of the world.
This month’s edition feature newly appointed TDI Advisory Council Member Niel Kriel, Operations Hydrogeologist at Rio Tinto, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Hydrogeologist with a keen interest in dewatering and associated groundwater management.
Can you tell us more about your work history and how you got into the dewatering industry?
I have been fortunate enough to have worked in dewatering across multiple industries in a short amount of time. I was exposed to groundwater and to a larger extent mine dewatering when I started off as a geology vacation student in the Copper Belt of Zambia. After finishing my undergrad in geology, I went on to complete a post-graduate honours and masters in hydrogeology whilst working part-time conducting hydro and geophysical investigations and consulting. A year into my master’s I found myself moving to Qatar were I worked as a dewatering design engineer for a couple of years, during this early stage of my career I was exposed to a lot of dewatering related work with the rapid expansion of Qatar and assisting our European branches with dewatering design. After Qatar, my wife and I moved to Australia where I worked as a consulting hydrogeologist supporting our dewatering consulting network in Perth and surrounds. Fast forward to the present day where I currently sit as the operations hydrogeologist responsible for in-pit dewatering and groundwater management in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia. Across my journey I have been exposed to several different dewatering strategies within different aquifer systems, each with its own set of challenges whether its drawdown related or regulatory restricted.
What are your favourite projects that you’ve worked on in your career?
Each of the projects I have been involved in have impacted/ taught me to some degree, some worth highlighting include Al Sa’ad Plaza in Lusail, Qatar; ECU City Campus, Perth and of course my current “long term” project being Greater Nammuldi.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve seen in the industry?
Accountability and better management of dewatering discharge has been a issue every dewatering project has face at some point in its life with regulations being ever stricter on where and how much water you can dewatering and discharge.
How have you seen the industry develop over the past decades?
To be honest, I haven’t been around long enough to have seen a decades worth of change but dewatering in a whole has taken a more hydrogeological turn in my eye’s, rather then drilling a deep hole and putting the biggest pump in it, more detailed investigations are involved in understanding how the systems involved will react.
How do you see technology playing part in the industry in the future?
Dewatering greatly benefits from technological enhancements. If you look at today, we can get a live read on what a dewatering bore is producing and how the groundwater level is responding, all from the comfort of your office. Info can seamlessly be plugged into models and forecasts updated. I can only imagine how these systems will improve into the future.
Why would you recommend younger generations a career in the dewatering industry?
Dewatering is mostly everywhere, whether you’re looking to construct a basement carpark or dewater an ore body to enable mining, its broad industry of like-minded individuals with plenty of challenges.
What aspects of the industry do you think need improving?
Knowledge sharing and engagement.
Why do you think TDI is important for the industry and how it can help the industry develop?
Mostly to solve the issue highlighted in the previous question, the challenge you face today has most likely been solved by someone elsewhere in the world. TDI creates a platform for all of us to engage and share our stories.
What was the greatest encouragement someone gave you regarding business?
If you don’t know, ask.
What is your life motto?
Question everything, “The very foundation of science is to keep the door open to doubt.” – Carlo Rovelli.
Rio Tinto
