VentSim Design
GASPAR C. PATACSIL
Experienced Ventilation Engineer/Consultant
Tagum City,Davao Del Norte
Summary
A professional mining engineer with 36 years of experience in underground mining operations, including 34 years in ventilation. Demonstrated proficiency in supporting underground mining operations: supplying water, compressed air, adequate ventilation, and backfilling for various underground mining techniques. a capable team leader who motivates others to pursue common objectives. Shrinkage, rill stopping, ramp mining, overhand and underhand cut and fill, sub-level mining, block caving, and long hole stoping are the mining techniques listed above.
Knowledgeable Ventilation Specialist with proven background in consulting, delivering strategic insights and effective solutions to clients. Successfully led multiple projects, enhancing operational efficiency and driving business growth. Demonstrated expertise in problem-solving and client relationship management.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
34
34
Years of ventilation experience
Work History
Onsite Ventilation Consultant
Mopani Copper Mines Plc
Copper Belt
12.2025 - Current
- Just completed the Ventilation Master Plan of all the Mopani’s Underground Operations. Mopani Copper Mines Plc is currently operating three (3) underground Mines.
- Currently overseeing and upgrading the ventilation systems of the Mines
- Prepared the annual ventilation program of each Mines for the year 2027 with action plans
Ventilation Manager
Philisaga Mining Corporation
Rosario Agusan Del Sur
09.2021 - 12.2026
- Designed the ventilation set-up for a 5km Decline Drive
- Under contract with Mount Rock Powder Corporation
Underground Ventilation Engineer - Consultant
Hindustan Zinc Ltd.
03.2017 - 02.2020
- Providing services on the ventilation requirement of our client Hindustan Zinc Ltd for their eight (8) underground mines. Sindesar Khurd Mine, Rajpura Dariba Mine, Zawarala Mine, Baroi Mine, Mocha Mine, Balaria Mine, Kayad Mine, and Rampura Agucha Mine. These are all Zinc and Lead Mining Operation.
- Development headings of 2-4kms are inclusive challenges in ventilation to provide safe and comfortable working environments.
- All aspect of ventilation requirements is being offered: Mine Ventilation Planning, Ventilation System Design, Fan sizing- primary, booster and auxiliary fans. Trouble shooting ventilation problems, Conducting Ventilation Training, Mine Cooling Design and Peer Review of existing ventilation set-up.
- Under Contract with Maheshwari Mining Pvt Ltd. (Feb. 2019 – Feb. 2020); Under Contract with Reliant Drilling Pvt Ltd. (March 1,2017 – January 2019)
Associate General Manager-Ventilation
Hindustan Zinc Ltd.
Dariba, Rajsamand, Rajasthan
04.2013 - 02.2016
- Designed the LOM ventilation system including the fan duties, cooling requirements, airway excavation sizes and air quantity requirements
- Conducted risk assessment and prepared control measures to address such abnormal ambient conditions
- Prepared programs to maintain and implement an effective ventilation and occupational hygiene
- Member of the Project Management Committee
- Ensuring that the safety and welfare of employees is top priority at all times in the work site.
- Duties and responsibilities were extended to other underground mines of Hindustan Zinc Ltd.
Ventilation & Backfill Engineer
Randgold Resources Ltd
Loulo Mine, Mali
12.2007 - 02.2013
- Designed the ventilation system of two underground mines: Yalea Mine and Gara Mine.
- Using past experiences, the ventilation system was established according to MHSA standards
- Ventsim software was used to simulate the ventilation requirement of the two UG mines.
- Selected and procured the right sizes of auxiliary fans for the stopes and ramps
- The backfilling plant was on progress during that time and the backfill laboratory is where I did the test for clay materials to determine the correct recipe to attain the required 1000 kPa for a consolidation fill in the stope.
Sr.Ventilation Engineer
Mapula Creek Gold Phils. Inc.
Teresa, Maco, Comval, Mindanao
06.2006 - 12.2007
- Make fan selections and design auxiliary ventilation systems
- Worked closely with the Planning Engineers to designs the location of ventilation infrastructure.
- With the high concentration of noxious gases underground, the ventilation system was set-up to immediately move out foul air to surface by placing the exhaust raises at the center of working places.
- Designed the right size of fan installed in every exhaust shaft and auxiliary fans for the individual work places.
- Develop strategies to reduce miner exposure to mine contaminants
- Auxiliary fans were located to strategic positions and ducted towards the working faces.
- Keeping the right size of ventilation tubes to carry the required volume of fresh air to the face.
- In this set-up, the miners at the face are always in a fresh air supply. As the air flows back, it collects the noxious gases being emitted along the floor and sides of the drift up to the exhaust raises.
- Conduct regular mine ventilation survey and maintain detailed records
- Uses the Vane anemometer and digital anemometer in carrying volumetric survey, sling psychrometer for ambient temperature, magnehelic and portable Barometer for pressure survey as well as the velometer. Added to these are The MSA Orion Plus and dragger tubes for mine gases survey.
- Measuring stations are established for monitoring.
- Measurements are placed in a log book and stored in electronic file. These are likewise posted on ventilation maps.
- Provide advice for execution and completion of ventilation designs
- Working closely with the mine superintendents for immediate actions on their ventilation concerns.
- Using the VNET PC and VentSim ventilation softwares, the ventilation set-up is updated and designs future mine expansion. Simulation results are presented to management for inclusion in the current and future design of the mine.
- Currently as Apex Mining Co.
Mine Services Asst. Superintendent
Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co.
Lepanto, Mankayan, Benguet
04.1992 - 06.2006
- Supervised the installation of ventilation facilities (e.g. fan, bulkhead, ventilation door, regulator, air cleaner)
- Designed alternatives in reducing DPM from diesel equipments
- Maintained liaison with mine planning, operations and loss control functions
- Made fan selections and design auxiliary ventilation systems
- Conducted regular mine ventilation survey and maintain detailed records
- Managed the operation of Backfilling Plant & Laboratory Testing
- Provided the mine water & compressed air requirements for drilling operation
Mine Planning Engineer
Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co.
Lepanto, Mankayan, Benguet
03.1991 - 04.1992
- Prepares document for underground contract projects
- Provides development and stope lay outs and its program of activities
- Monitor and updates the scheduled program of activities
- Conduct studies on the improvements of Production Targets
- Prepares Budget for the assigned section
- Prepares Drilling & Blasting Pattern
Assistant Miner
Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co.
Lepanto, Mankayan, Benguet
10.1990 - 03.1991
- Assisting the duties and responsibilities of a Miner
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mining
Saint Louis University
Bonifacio St. Baguio City, Philippines 06.1985 - 03.1990
Bachelor of Science - Mining Engineering
Saint Louis University
Baguio City, PhilippinesSkills
MS Office; excel, word
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Team leadership & development
Client relationships
Integrity and honesty
Continuous improvement
Accomplishments
- 1. Team leader in the recovery of dead bodies in the Mine Explosion at Sunshine Tunnel, Mt. Diwalwal, Mindanao, Philippines. Safe recovery was undertaken through the provision of good ventilation. The Tunnel is having a total 2 km length.
- 2. Hired as Ventilation Engineer to ventilate an old mine (Apex Mining Company, Philippines) for a safe rehabilitation. It is inherent to this mine even during the previous operations of high concentrations of CO₂ and H₂S (7% and 22 ppm respectively) where several miners were victimized by these noxious gases. Good ventilation set-up was established in the three underground tunnels to address this problem.
- 3. Received awards and certificates from Mines & Geosciences Bureau for unselfish rendering of help in the restoration of ventilation at Sunshine Tunnel, Mindanao, Philippines
Software
Professional Training
- April – May, 1990 Mine & Mill Practice Philex Mining Corporation Pacdal, Tuba Benguet, Philippines
- March 4, 1994 Trainors Training Program Philex Mining Corporation
- Nov.16 – 26,1997 Visit to South African Mines Johannesburg, South Africa
- Feb. 2- 5, 1999 Trade Test Development Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. C/o Pulsemate, Inc. Management Consultant
- April 14-16, 1999 Interaction Management Program Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. Lepanto,Mankayan,Benguet Philippines
- August, 2002 Fan Maintenance and Systems Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co By Matthews & Yates c/o PETI TRADING INC.
Timeline
Onsite Ventilation Consultant
Mopani Copper Mines Plc
12.2025 - Current
Ventilation Manager
Philisaga Mining Corporation
09.2021 - 12.2026
Underground Ventilation Engineer - Consultant
Hindustan Zinc Ltd.
03.2017 - 02.2020
Associate General Manager-Ventilation
Hindustan Zinc Ltd.
04.2013 - 02.2016
Ventilation & Backfill Engineer
Randgold Resources Ltd
12.2007 - 02.2013
Sr.Ventilation Engineer
Mapula Creek Gold Phils. Inc.
06.2006 - 12.2007
Mine Services Asst. Superintendent
Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co.
04.1992 - 06.2006
Mine Planning Engineer
Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co.
03.1991 - 04.1992
Assistant Miner
Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co.
10.1990 - 03.1991
Bachelor of Science - Mining
Saint Louis University
06.1985 - 03.1990
Bachelor of Science - Mining Engineering
Saint Louis University