Dr. Nils Rainer Backeberg
I'm a structural economic geologist with an interest in using foundational geology as a framework to develop multidisciplinary studies in natural resources to support the societal and industrial market requirements with a sustainable Earth stewardship. My experience combines exploration (industry), geochemistry (M.Sc.), tectonics (Ph.D.), experimental rock mechanics (postdoc) and mine & metal analytics (financial industry) with a global field based experience.
Academic Research & Education
Work Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher
University College London (2016 - 2017)
Shale gas, rock mechanics and high-resolution chemical and X-ray CT mapping. Characterising the tortuous permeability pathways through shales from macro- to nano-scale.
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Ph.D. McGill University (2011 - 2015)
Gold deposits and Archaean tectonics. Thesis title: "Regional deformation history and the structural controls on the Hammond Reef gold deposit, Ontario."
Detailed mapping combined with structural geology, geochemistry, metamorphic petrology and gold of a Mesoarchaean shear zone and terrane boundary.
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M.Sc. University of Cape Town (2009 - 2012)
Assimilation and fractional crystallisation modelling of basaltic magmas. Thesis title: "Petrogenesis of the False Bay dyke swarm, Cape Peninsula, South Africa."
Mapping and fracture association of dolerite dykes and their chemical evolution during the break-up of Gondwana.
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B.Sc. (Honours) University of Cape Town (2005 - 2008)
Majored in Geological Sciences and Earth & Atmospheric Sciences. Honours project thesis title: "Structural analysis of the Fold Zone at de Balie, Western Cape."
The Fold Zone
These Ordovician folds are found all across the Western Cape Cedarberg Mountains and are the world's largest soft-sediment load casts that formed during an ancient period of climate change.
My project portfolio
Research Analyst, Manager (June 2017 - present)
Roskill, London UK
Global market research of supply, demand, price and trade with forecasts for antimony, chromium and rare earth element industries.
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Intern Analyst (October 2016 - May 2017)
Metals Focus, London UK
Intern analyst costing precious metal mines and exploration projects.
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Consultant Structural Geologist (2014)
Adage Ventures, Montréal CA
Co-led a structural mapping project of the Joaquina geothermal fields in central Guatemala.
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Graduate Geologist (2011)
The MSA Group, RSA
Exploration and drilling project of the Zandkopsdrift rare earth element carbonatite, Namaqualand. Managed diamond drill rigs, core logging, sampling, assays and geological interpretation. Other work included desktop and GIS studies of Ethiopian POTASH, South African manganese fields and the central African copper belt.
