Cavern Closure consortium
The Cavern Closure Consortium (CCC) was founded in 2018 in response to a request from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate to assess overpressured salt solution mining caverns and investigate leakage mechanisms within the KEM-17 framework.
Our consortium consists of three specialized consulting companies, each bringing a distinct background and expertise. Together, we offer a unique and globally recognized knowledge base, providing innovative and robust solutions in underground storage and rock salt mining.
Core Team Members
Our multidisciplinary team is composed of leading experts in geomechanics, geophysics, microstructural analysis, and solution mining, with decades of combined experience in research, consulting, and industry innovation.
Dr. Joyce Schmatz
Geologist & Microstructural Analysis Expert
Co-founder and Director, MaP Microstructures and Pores GmbH, Dr. Schmatz specializes in microstructural analysis and fluid-rock interactions with 20 years of experience. She develops advanced imaging and quantification techniques for geological and industrial applications, providing cutting-edge insights into rock salt behavior and underground storage solutions.
Dr. Benoit Brouard
Rock Mechanics & Solution Mining Expert
Founder and President, Brouard Consulting SARL, Dr. Brouard is an internationally recognized specialist in rock mechanics and solution mining, with over 25 years of experience. A leading expert in salt cavern behavior, he has developed innovative software and technologies while advising major global companies on cavern stability, safety, and operational strategies.
Dr. Tobias S. Baumann
Geophysicist & Geodynamic Modeling Expert
Co-founder and Director of smartTectonics GmbH, Dr. Baumann has over 15 years of expertise in numerical and probabilistic modeling, geophysics, and inverse problems. He specializes in thermo-hydro-mechanical modeling of salt structures and reservoir rocks, advising leading companies and governmental organizations on complex challenges related to host rocks and natural resources.
Scientific Advisory
Prof. Dr. Boris J.P. Kaus
Professor of Geodynamics & Geophysics
Prof. Boris Kaus is a co-founder of smartTectonics GmbH and a Full Professor at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. He is an expert in numerical modeling of geodynamic and geomechanical processes, with contributions ranging from melt migration to lithospheric-scale deformation. He has pioneered advances in geodynamic inverse modeling, salt tectonics simulations, and self-consistent modeling frameworks for hydrofracking and porosity waves. His work includes the development of state-of-the-art software and novel modeling techniques widely used in the field. With over 20 years of experience in numerical geodynamical modeling, Prof. Kaus has received several prestigious awards, including ERC grants (Starting, Proof of Concept, and Consolidator), the Arne Richter Award (EGU), the Paul Niggli Medal, and the ETH Medal.
Dr. Anton Popov
Lecturer, Research Scientist & Numerical Modeling Expert
Dr. Anton Popov is a co-founder of smartTectonics GmbH with expertise in geotechnical engineering, geophysics, and geodynamic modeling. He specializes in massively parallel finite element and finite difference methods for 3D modeling of soil and rock deformation, including complex rheology, porous flow, and heat transfer. His work also includes contributions to adjoint-based inversion methods. With over 20 years of experience in numerical modeling, he has developed advanced computational tools for geomechanical applications. As a lecturer at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, he teaches courses on Reservoir Flow Modeling, Advanced Computational Geomechanics, and Finite Element Analysis.
Dr. Vassily Zakharov
Research Scientist & R&D Engineer
Dr. Vassily Zakharov joined Brouard Consulting in 2015 and has extensive experience in physics and computer science. He has authored or co-authored over 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals and international conference proceedings. At Brouard Consulting, he is responsible for developing measurement and control systems such as Sounds Well and Blockfall, while also contributing to cavern modeling and the development of LOCAS software.
Scientific Advisory & Founding Contributions
Acknowledged Collaborators & Former Members
We would also like to acknowledge others whose contributions have supported the work of the CCC over the years.
Dr. Jop Klaver was involved in the early stages of the consortium as part of partner company MaP. As a founding member, he helped shape the CCC during its formative phase. He has since transitioned to a new role at Pondera Consultancy, outside the consortium, but his early contributions remain sincerely appreciated.
René Vreugdenhil collaborated with the CCC on the KEM-28 project, bringing expertise that enriched our interdisciplinary efforts. While not a core consortium member, his involvement added value to our broader research activities. René is also working at Pondera Consultancy.
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