Kun Zhang

Manager, Mining Engineering

Kun Zhang is the Manager of the Excavation Engineering and Earth Mechanics Institute (EMI) at Colorado School of Mines, where he manages laboratory operations, conducts excavation and drill bit analysis, and ensures environmental compliance and safety.

Holding two Master of Science degrees from the Colorado School of Mines, one in Mining and Earth System Engineering and another in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kun Zhang is an experienced professional in the field of mining and tunneling engineering. He is recognized for his expertise in geotechnical design, project management, and research.

Professionally, Mr. Zhang is accredited as a Chartered Engineer in the UK and Singapore, a Registered Professional Engineer in China, and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification. His technical skills cover a broad range of engineering disciplines, including geotechnical design, road and tunnel construction, foundation assessments, and dewatering projects.

In addition to his professional roles, Mr. Zhang has engaged in research focused on drill bit analysis, intelligent monitoring technologies, and the application of numerical modeling. He has contributed to several peer-reviewed publications and is a member of multiple professional societies, including the SME, ASME, IET, SPE, and SEG. Mr. Zhang’s leadership and contributions to the field have been recognized with awards such as the Northern California Project of the Year 2019 for the Oroville Spillways Emergency Recovery.

With a robust background in engineering and a commitment to advancing the field, Kun Zhang continues to make significant contributions to mining and tunneling engineering

Labs and Research Centers

• Earth Mechanics Institute (EMI)