THE OPENGROUND TEAM
Alten du Plessis (Manager and Senior Geophysicist)
Alten joined ISS International in 1996 where he was involved with the development and implementation of the Rock Radar ground penetrating radar system in the South African gold mining industry. In 2001 he started his own geophysical consultancy business focusing on the deliverance of excellent service to the mining, engineering, environmental and exploration industries. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) remains a major focus and interest with numerous projects conducted focusing on the use of GPR in the roads and concrete industries. He has extensive experience in the use of ground gravity in the exploration and engineering sectors and techniques such as Seismic Refraction for the investigation of dam sites and other large structures. The use of Surface Wave Inversion is also a key interest of his as this is a relatively underutilized technique for obtaining site shear wave velocities and has major potential in Southern Africa. He is married with two children and stays on a smallholding in the east of Pretoria. Hobbies include guitar playing and listening to music.
Darek Leskiewicz (Manager and Senior Technician)
Darek was involved with the first and only introduction of GPR to South Africa and the mining industry and trained throughout the years at GSC Pty Ltd. (Geo Scientific Consultant), ISS International and Dynamic Instrumentation to become the GPR specialist he is today. Eighteen years of experience from capturing and pre-processing GPR data to selling and support provided him with the vast knowledge that is required to support, train, manage and process information with regards to GPR. Currently Darek is managing GPR projects and supporting geophysical surveys at Open Ground Resources. Hobbies include motor sport, music and Latino Dancing.
David Mothogwane (Technician)
David Mothogwane joined Global Geophysical in 2001 as a field assistant and is now responsible for operation of various geophysical instruments including CG-5 gravimeter, magnetometer, Trimble and Omni star GPS systems, Super Sting resistivity system, etc. His hobbies include music, reading and soccer.
Jacob Ntope (Geophysicist)
Ntope fondly called “Jakes” joined Global Geophysical in September 2006 as a junior geophysicist and field assistant and is now responsible for pre-planning of projects, acquisition, processing and interpretation of geophysical data. He holds a postgraduate qualification in geophysics from University of Witwatersrand. He is involve in charity events and enjoys reading.
