Session VI: Critical Minerals - Part I
Thursday, October 16, 2025 |
9:00 AM - 10:49 AM |
Speaker
Yury Abreu
Xcalibur
Keynote Speaker: Critical Minerals, Critical Questions: Rethinking the Energy Transition with Latin America - Yury Abreu (Xcalibur Smart Mapping)
9:01 AM - 9:29 AMBiography
Sergio Gil Moreno
Universidad Industrial de Santander
Joint Full Waveform Inversion Strategy for Seismic and GPR Using Structural Constraints
9:30 AM - 9:54 AMBiography
Electronic Engineer and Master's student in Electronic Engineering with experience in seismology, inverse problems in geophysics, signal processing, and artificial intelligence.
My research focuses on the development of full-waveform inversion (FWI) algorithms, working with seismic and electromagnetic data to explore both individual and joint inversion schemes. I have also collaborated with the University of Delaware on a project focused on fusing LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite data to obtain high-resolution terrain imagery, utilizing diffusion networks as an advanced fusion technique. Additionally, I have developed artificial intelligence algorithms to predict focal mechanisms from seismological measurements.
I am passionate about research. As an engineer, I aspire to make a significant contribution, driven by my commitment to innovation and problem-solving.
Mr Juan Bascur
Quantec Geoscience Chile Limitada
3D Controlled-Source Audio-Magnetotellurics Study at Fenix Gold Project, Chile
9:55 AM - 10:14 AMBiography
Juan Bascur is the General Manager of Quantec Geoscience’s Chilean office and the Leader of the South American Interpretation Group. An Electrical Engineer and Geophysicist with over 20 years of experience in exploration geophysics, he specializes in electromagnetics and borehole geophysical methodologies for mining, oil & gas, geothermal, groundwater, environmental, and engineering applications.
Carlos Cifuentes
Ground water exploration with frequency-domain electromagnetics on a multi-parameter fixed-wing aircraft - Carndonagh area, Ireland
10:15 AM - 10:39 AMBiography
Carlos Cifuentes is a highly experienced Mineral Exploration Geophysicist with over 27 years of international expertise in geophysical survey design, data integration, and data interpretation. Currently working as a Senior Geophysicist at Sander Geophysics, Carlos brings a multidisciplinary approach to exploration, combining technical precision with strategic project oversight.
He holds a degree in Geological Engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal and a Master’s in Project Management from Université du Québec à Hull, equipping him with a rare blend of scientific rigor and operational leadership.
Carlos has worked across the full spectrum of geophysical exploration, including airborne data acquisition with SGL and ArKex, ground surveys with Abitibi Géophysique and Quantec, and mineral targeting with major exploration companies such as Codelco and Vale. His core competencies include geophysical instrument development, field deployment, QA/QC of survey data, geological integration, and interpretation for mineral target definition.
In addition to his geophysical roles, Carlos has served as Project Manager, leading multidisciplinary teams in remote and challenging environments. His work is defined by a commitment to data integrity, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement—making him a trusted leader in the advancement of modern mineral exploration.
