Charles Makoundi

Dr. Charles Makoundi serves as an Adjunct Senior Researcher in Earth Sciences at the University of Tasmania's School of Natural Sciences, where he is affiliated with the ARC Centre of Excellence in Ore Deposits (CODES). His research spans multiple Southeast Asian countries including Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, with additional work in Cameroon. Dr. Makoundi maintains strong industry collaborations with companies like Rio Tinto and Lane Xang Minerals Limited, bridging academic research with practical mineral exploration applications.

Dr. Makoundi's research focuses on exploration geochemistry, with particular expertise in geochronology, isotope geochemistry, and sedimentology as applied to mineral deposit studies. His work primarily investigates gold, tin, and tungsten deposits using advanced analytical techniques including U-Pb zircon dating, LA-ICPMS analysis of pyrite and arsenopyrite, and fluid inclusion studies. His research aims to understand ore genesis processes and develop practical exploration models for mineral discovery in Southeast Asia's complex geological environments.

Analysis of Dr. Makoundi's recent publications reveals a strong focus on applying geochemical techniques to solve practical mineral exploration problems across Southeast Asia. His work spans multiple deposit types including orogenic gold systems, tin-tungsten deposits, and copper-gold porphyry systems. The research consistently integrates field observations with laboratory analyses to develop regional metallogenic models that have direct applications for exploration targeting. His publications appear in high-impact journals including Minerals, Gondwana Research, and Journal of Asian Earth Sciences.

Dr. Makoundi currently leads two major funded projects: a $108,338 consultancy with Rio Tinto focused on Cambodian zircon geochemistry for copper-gold exploration, and a $20,859 project with Lane Xang Minerals Limited analyzing ore deposits in Laos. His research program demonstrates strong industry relevance and practical applications for mineral exploration in the region. Students working with Dr. Makoundi benefit from direct industry connections and opportunities for fieldwork across multiple countries.

Based at the University of Tasmania's CODES facility, Dr. Makoundi's research operates within one of the world's leading centers for ore deposit studies. The center provides access to state-of-the-art analytical facilities for geochemical and mineralogical analysis, supporting his work on mineral deposit characterization and exploration targeting. His research group maintains active collaborations with institutions across Southeast Asia, creating a regional network for studying mineral systems in tropical environments.