Meet our process engineer team, experts in mineral process optimization

Stéphane Brochot, PhD. – Co-Director CASPEO

Stéphane obtained his doctorate (PhD) in physics from the University of Orléans-Tours in 1990 and completed his education with a master in mathematical engineering and computer processing techniques. He joined BRGM in 1991 as the head of the software development team, pursuing research in process modelling and algorithmic.

Since 2004, as one of the co-managing directors, Stéphane has been the scientific and technical manager of CASPEO. He is in charge of the R&D activity of the company. He is one of the INVENTEO inventors. Then, Stéphane is an expert in sampling and measurement error.

Marie-Véronique Durance – Co-Director CASPEO

Marie-Véronique DURANCE is graduated from the National Engineering School of Geology (Nancy-France) and from the Business Administration Institute (Nantes-France). Between 1991 and 2004 she worked for BRGM, the French Geological Survey, successively as Research engineer, Project Engineer and International Project manager, specialized in process modelling and simulation.

In 2004, with Dr Stephane Brochot, she founded CASPEO, a spin-off of BRGM. Besides the general management of the Company, Marie-Véronique DURANCE, as technical sales manager, is in charge of market development in the mineral industry with a focus on mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, and mining recycling.  Still managing technical projects, she is involved in plant optimization and implementation of metallurgical accounting systems.

Manuel González Fernández – Process engineer

Graduate from the Oviedo Mining School (Spain, 2011), he completed his education with a Master of Science in Quality and Environmental Management at the Official College of Mining Engineers of North West Spain (2012).

In 2012, he joins CASPEO as process engineer. In 2014, he contributes to the foundation of CASPEO Chile. He is now involved in mineral processing plant design and optimisation projects and in the implementation of metallurgical accounting systems. He has animated several courses about process engineering (simulation, material balance,…).

Etienne Braak, PhD. – Process and software engineer

Etienne graduated from engineering school Ecole Centrale de Lyon in 2008 and completed his education with a doctorate (PhD) in process engineering from National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse (obtained in 2012). He developed a double skill process/software engineering: he worked 2 years as a research engineer at IRSTEA (Rennes, France) and 2 years as software developer at Sopra-Steria (Nantes, France).

In early 2018, he joins CASPEO as process engineer. He is involved in metal accounting and process simulation software development. He contributes to mining research projects and supports the implementation of INVENTEO metal accounting solutions.

Aziz Hadiouche – Process and software engineer

After four years at the Ecole Nationale Polytechnique in Algeria, Aziz obtained a master’s degree in process engineering from Aix-Marseille University in 2022.

Possessing skills in mineral processing optimization, software development and project management with a strong problem-solving acumen, he strengthens the team on all mining projects and oversees CASPEO process simulation and metal accounting software support.

Lucas Regnault – Process engineer

Lucas Regnault joined CASPEO after completing his apprenticeship with the team.

A graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure de Géologie de Nancy, he contributed to key projects including the Horizon Europe EXCEED program on lithium by-product valorization and the development of process models using USIM PAC.

He now continues to support process simulation projects and contributes to new initiatives around the INVENTEO metal accounting system.