Acid Mine Drainage

Athanas S. Macheyeki

Athanas S. Macheyeki is a Professor of Geology at the University of Dodoma. He previously served as Commissioner of the Minerals Commission of Tanzania, Executive Secretary of the Tanzania Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Manager of Applied Geology at the Geological Survey of Tanzania, and Principal of the Mineral Resources Institute in Dodoma. He is the Founder of the Earth Sciences Institute of Shinyanga. Prior to his service in the Government of Tanzania, he worked as a Mineral Exploration Geologist with Anglo American Tanzania.

He holds a BSc from the University of Dar es Salaam, an MSc from the University of the Western Cape, and a PhD from Ghent University. Professor Macheyeki developed lithogeochemical ratios for the exploration of Ni–Cu sulphide deposits, including indices such as Pd/V × 1000. He has authored and co-authored more than 30 scholarly publications, including journal articles, geological maps, book chapters, and books, notably Applied Geochemistry (2020) and The East African Rift System (2024).

Noel Isack Kaaya

Noel Isack Kaaya is a chemist and Chemical Inspector at the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority in Tanzania. His work involves the laboratory analysis of environmental samples from mining sites and industrial areas to ensure compliance with regulatory standards for human health and environmental protection. As a Chemical Inspector, he oversees the production, use, and marketing of chemicals to prevent adverse health and environmental impacts.

His routine inspections of chemical use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sites have motivated his interest in environmental geochemistry. As part of his master’s dissertation, he researched the geochemical characteristics of ASGM tailings and their associated ecological and health risks. Part of this work is published in the Journal of Trace Elements and Minerals.

He holds a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Dar es Salaam and an MSc in Chemistry from the University of Dodoma.

Mathias Macheyeki

Mathias Macheyeki is a cybersecurity and digital forensics engineer and a full-stack software developer, a graduate of the University of Dodoma. He is the co-author of Morphostructural study on the Eyasi–Durumo–Manyara faults - East African Rift System (2025). He is the founder of TEYORA, a technology startup firm focused on cybersecurity, digital forensics, and software development.

He has experience in building secure, practical, and user-centred digital systems, and is a web and mobile developer and security specialist focusing on vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, secure code reviews, and incident response activities. His areas of competence also include web and mobile application development, network security, and digital forensics focusing on reliability and real-world usability. Mathias has collaborated with technical institutions including the Earth Science Institute of Shinyanga to design and implement a secure Student Records Management System, and the Geological Survey of Tanzania to maintain systems, software installations, and technical troubleshooting.