Mr Emmanuel Chinkaka
Acting Hod, Earth Sciences Department
echinkaka@must.ac.mw
Emmanuel Chinkaka is the Acting Head of Earth Sciences Department and Lecturer in Applied Earth Sciences at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST). With over 10 years of professional experience in GIS, remote sensing, and spatial data analytics, he specializes in translating geospatial intelligence into decision-support tools for environmental management, geology, critical minerals, mining and political ecology.
He is currently a PhD Candidate in Geography and Spatial Sciences at the University of Delaware. His doctoral research focuses on developing responsible governance frameworks for energy-critical mineral extraction. His work integrates advanced remote sensing techniques for sustainable mineral exploration with political ecology analyses of lithium and rare earth elements, examining their socio-ecological impacts through sustainable livelihood and participatory community approaches.
He also has advanced training in critical minerals sustainability, bridging interdisciplinary perspectives across physical and social sciences. Emmanuel holds a Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences from the University of Malawi and a Master of Science in Geoinformatics for Applied Earth Sciences from the University of Twente in the Netherlands. His work sits at the intersection of spatial science, mineral governance, sustainability, and climate resilience, contributing both technical innovation and policy-relevant research to support responsible natural resource management in Africa. He is also a Programmes Coordinator for the African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA) and for the Center for Sustainable Minerals and Mining (CeSMiM).
He is currently a PhD Candidate in Geography and Spatial Sciences at the University of Delaware. His doctoral research focuses on developing responsible governance frameworks for energy-critical mineral extraction. His work integrates advanced remote sensing techniques for sustainable mineral exploration with political ecology analyses of lithium and rare earth elements, examining their socio-ecological impacts through sustainable livelihood and participatory community approaches.
He also has advanced training in critical minerals sustainability, bridging interdisciplinary perspectives across physical and social sciences. Emmanuel holds a Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences from the University of Malawi and a Master of Science in Geoinformatics for Applied Earth Sciences from the University of Twente in the Netherlands. His work sits at the intersection of spatial science, mineral governance, sustainability, and climate resilience, contributing both technical innovation and policy-relevant research to support responsible natural resource management in Africa. He is also a Programmes Coordinator for the African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA) and for the Center for Sustainable Minerals and Mining (CeSMiM).
Links (Linkedin, Google scholar, Academia, Researchgate, personal Website, etc)
Modules/Courses Taught (Maximum of 10 modules)
1. Geophysics
2. Geological Remote Sensing
3. Spatial Data Analysis
4. Drone Technology
5. Sensors and Platforms
6. Principles of Remote Sensing
7. GIS Programming
8. Object-oriented programming
Membership and Affiliation
Membership and Affiliation
1. Member IEEE 2023 - 2024
2. Member: Society of Economic Geology 2024
3. Young Earth Scientists Network (YES)
4. International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG)
5. University of Delaware GIS Group
6. Member of the International Union of Geological Society
7. Member of the African Institute of Sustainable Energy and Systems Analysis (AISESA)
- Tholo, H.M., Nyengere, J., Chisenga, C. Chinkaka, E., Mwase, W., Kachamba, D., Gawa, T., Tchuwa, I., (2026) Modelling and prediction of land use and land cover change using machine learning in the Michiru Forest Reserve, Southern Malawi. Discov Environ 4, 41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-026-00542-5
2. Chinkaka, E., Kapakasa, F., Chisenga, C., Tchongwe W., Mvula R, Davis K.F. (2025). Mapping Hydrothermal Mineral groups and Geological Structures in the Kirk range - Lisungwe Valley Area in Malawi using ASTER imagery data. Advances in Sciences and Arts, https://doi.org/10.37872/2025.0201.11
3. Wang, Q., Chinkaka, E., Richaud, R., Haghdadi, M., Wolk, C., Oromeng, K. V., Davis, K. F., Bianco, F. B., Peng, X., & Klinger, J. M. (2025). MO-SAM: Testing the reliability and limits of mine feature delineation using Segment Anything Model to democratize mine observation and research. PLOS Sustainability and Transformation, 4(7), e0000182. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pstr.0000182
4. Nyengere, J., Chinkaka, E., Tchuwa, I. et al. Geospatial analysis of soil property variability in cycloneaffected areas of southern Malawi. Discov Environ 3, 75 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00275-x
5. Chinkaka, E; Hatton H; Chisenga, C; Chauluka F, (2024) Spatial and temporal dynamics of urban green spaces: an assessment using remote sensing time-series data in Blantyre City, Malawi, Malawi Journal of Science and Technology, 16 (2) 42-65. Spatial and temporal dynamics of urban green spaces: an assessment using remote sensing time-series data in Blantyre City, Malawi | Malawi Journal of Science and Technology
6. Mtchuka, B, Chauluka, F, Chinkaka E, Yapuwa, H (2023). Application of environmental indexing for water quality assessment – case of Nasolo River, Blantyre. Advances in Sciences and Arts. 1(1), S011- 0001, https://doi.org/10.37872/ T011-0002
7. Chinkaka, E.; Klinger, J.M.; Davis, K.F.; Bianco, F. Unexpected Expansion of Rare-Earth Element Mining Activities in the Myanmar–China Border Region. Remote Sens. 2023, 15, 4597. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15184597
- Chinkaka, E., Chauluka, F., Chinkaka, R., Kachingwe, B. and Latif, E.B. (2024) Geospatial Variability of Cholera Cases in Malawi Based on Climatic and Socioeconomic Influences. Journal of Geographic Information System, 16, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.4236/jgis.2024.161001
- Chinkaka, E., Davis, K. F., Chiwanda, D., Kachingwe, B., Gusala, S., Mvula, R., Chauluka, F., & Klinger, J. M. (2023). Geospatial Coronavirus Vulnerability Regression Modelling for Malawi Based on Cumulative Spatial Data from April 2020 to May 2021. Journal of Geographic Information System, 15(01), 110–121. https://doi.org/10.4236/jgis.2023.151007
- Tholo, H. M., Masuku, P., Mwase, W., Kachamba, D. J., Njala, A., Tchongwe, W., Mvula, R. L., Tchuwa, I., Mzumara, T. I., Chisenga, C., Kadewa, W., Chinkaka, E., & Nyengere, J. (2025). Integrating remote sensing and machine learning for mapping of seasonal wetland shrinkage in southern Malawi. Discover Environment, 3, Article 230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00442-0
- Nyengere, J., Masuku, P., Mwase, W., Kathewera, M., Njala, A., Tchongwe, W., Mvula, R. L., Tchuwa, I., Kachingwe, B., Chimimba, E., Mtonda, M., Gondwe, S., Mbeya, D., Chisenga, C., Chinkaka, E., & Tholo, H. M. (2025). Determinants of household participation in natural forest regeneration: Evidence from a model forest in Dedza, Central Malawi. Transforming Forests and People, 6, 101076.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2025.101076
12. Nyengere, J., Masuku, P., Chikabvumbwa, S., Mwase, W., Kathewera, M., Njala, A., Tchongwe, W., Tchuwa, I., Gawa, T., Chisenga, C., Kadewa, W., Chinkaka, E., & Tholo, H. (2025). Forest cover restoration analysis using remote sensing and machine learning in central Malawi. Trees Forests and People, 100873.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100873
13. Chisenga & Chinkaka (2024), The limitation of the gravity inversion method based on the parker-Oldenburg algorithm in determination of the basement topography, Advances in Sciences and Arts, 1 (1), https://asa.must.ac.mw/journal/published-papers/the-limitation-of-the-gravity-inversion-method-based-on-the-parker-oldenburg-algorithm-in-determination-of-the-basement-topography
14. Hewson R.D, Chinkaka E, van der Meijde M, Baugh B, Titus N, and Mubita J.P: Geological investigations with high spatial resolution WV-3 satellite imagery and regional geophysics at the Haib Cu porphyry, Namibia, Australian Exploration Geoscience Conference 2-5 September 2019, Perth Western Australia. DOI: 10.1080/22020586.2019.12073089
Conference Proceedings
1. Emmanuel Chinkaka, Absai Vatuva, Jessica Warren, Kyle Frankel Davis, and Julie Michelle Klinger (2025). From Waste to Resource: Geochemical and Mineralogical Analysis of the Uis Pegmatite Tailings for Circular Economy. The 30th Colloquium of African Geology (CAG 30), Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi-Kenya, and Conference Theme: “Unveiling Africa’s Geological Resource: Forging a Path for Sustainable Development”. 23-27 September 2025.
2. Emmanuel Chinkaka (2025). Between Promise and Peril: A Q-Method Study of Community Perceptions and Socio-Environmental Impacts of Namibia’s Lithium Mining. Virtual Conference on Critical Minerals, Resource for the Future PhD Fellowship, 2025 Cohort. 26th June 2025.
3. Emmanuel Chinkaka (2025). Rare-Earth Mining in the China-Myanmar Border Region Amidst the Global Race for Energy Transition. American Association of Geographers (AAG) 2025. Detroit, Michigan, United States, 24th – 28th 2025.
4. Emmanuel Chinkaka, Absai Vatuva, Jessica Warren, Kyle Frankel Davis, and Julie Michelle Klinger (2023). Predictive Mapping of Lithium Pegmatites Occurrences Using ASTER Multispectral Remote Sensing in the Karibib Pegmatite Belt, Namibia. University of Delaware, GIS Day 2025, 13 November 2024.
5. Emmanuel Chinkaka, Absai Vatuva, and Julie Michelle Klinger (2024). Satellite-based Imaging of Lepidolite-Rich Pegmatites Using ASTER and PRISMA Hyperspectral Remote Sensing: A case study for the Karibib Pegmatite Belt, Namibia. SEG 2024: Sustainable Mineral Exploration and Development Mercure and Movenpick Hotels Windhoek, Namibia September 27-30, 2024.
6. Emmanuel Chinkaka, Absai Vatuva, Jessica Warren, Kyle Frankel Davis, and Julie Michelle Klinger (2023). Detection of Lithium-Rich Pegmatites Using ASTER Multispectral Image Analysis: insights from the Karibib Pegmatite Belt, Namibia. The 29th Colloquium of African Geology (CAG 29), Mercure Hotel, Windhoek-Namibia, and Conference Theme: “The earth Sciences and Africa’s development: current Realities, future projections”. 26-29 September 2023.
7. Chinkaka, E., Davis, K. F., & Klinger, J. M (2023). Cross-border Analysis of open-pit REE
8. mining extents using Landsat imagery: A case of Kachin and Nujiang REE Mines, Myanmar –China Border. 8th annual DENIN Environmental Research Symposium, Wednesday, April 12 at Clayton Hall, University of Delaware.
9. Chinkaka E: Remotely Sensed Temporal Change Detection Analysis of Urban Spaces in Blantyre City: A Machine Learning Approach. Presented at IndabaX Malawi Conference; Blantyre, Malawi 2021
10. Chinkaka E: Active Fault Mapping using integrated GIS-Remote Sensing Techniques and Aeromagnetic Geophysical Data in Karonga district, Northern Malawi. Presented at 36th International Geological Congress, Delhi, India 2020
11. Chinkaka, E., Nyirongo, M., Mlotha, B., Chauluka, F., Kumwenda, R. Assessing the potential of Malawi’s natural occurring precious stones in jewelry production through value-addition. HEPSSA Project Dissemination Conference, (Virtual), November 2021.
Media Engagements and interviews
1. Rare Earth Mining by Thomas Adam – UDaily Article, November 30, 2023; Rare earth mining | UDaily (udel.edu) From The University of Delaware : “Rare earth mining” – sciencesprings
2. Myanmar Frontier (MF) interview on Rare Earths and Uranium Mining in Myanmar. Interviewed by MF reporter Allegra Mendelson March 21, 2024. https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/really-puzzlingmyanmars-uranium-mystery/
3. Scientific Technical Advisor to CNN Data & Graphics team on Rare Earth Mining in Myanmar and China led by CNN Data Editor Krystina Shveda