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Richard Bishop

Professor of practice
  • Principal Investigator, Expand Appalachia CORE-CM

Professional Biography

Dr. Richard E. Bishop is a Professor of Practice in Mining and Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech, with more than 25 years of international experience spanning mining engineering, mineral economics, investment banking, corporate leadership, and applied research. His professional background is grounded in early career experience in mine operations, engineering, project management, and mine construction and rehabilitation, providing a practical foundation for his subsequent work in corporate management, finance, and academia.

His research focuses on critical minerals and rare earth elements, autonomous aerial robotics, remote sensing, mine digitization, and mineral resource economics. He serves as principal investigator of major federally sponsored research initiatives focused on critical mineral resource assessment, regional economic development, and advanced mining technologies.

Before joining Virginia Tech, Dr. Bishop held senior executive, corporate board, and financial industry positions involving mining and mineral development projects across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. His professional experience includes chief executive officer appointments, investment management, and precious metals equity research.

Dr. Bishop also participates in international scientific and government engagement activities, including the U.S. Department of State's U.S. Speaker Program and National Defense University's Eisenhower School.

Current and past research areas

  • Critical Minerals
  • Autonomous aerial robotics for GPS-denied underground mine environments
  • Drone-based emissions surveys
  • Mine digitization
  • Mining finance
  • Mineral processing
  • Slurry transport systems
  • Development of virtual mine environments for VR and AR

Selected Funded Research Projects

  • 2026-29: Expand Appalachia CORE-CM, DOE-NETL, $9,557,921
  • 2022-25: Design Guidelines for Assessment of Pillar Stability in Underground Room & Pillar Mines from Autonomous Robotic Inspections, Alpha Foundation, $199,202 (report)
  • 2021-24: Evolve Central Appalachia (Evolve CAPP), DOE-NETL, $2,708,866 (report)

Research group | Google Scholar

Courses

  • MINE 1034 Mine Automation and Data Analytics
  • MINE 2534 Mine Surveying and Mapping
  • MINE 3624 Mineral Resource Project Management
  • MINE 4664 Resource Engineering Leadership Seminar
  • MINE 4984 Mineral Project Finance and Corporate Evaluation
  • MINE 5984 Mining Finance

Awards and recognitions

Service leadership positions

Professional affiliations

American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA) ; American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA); Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM); International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE); Mining History Association (MHA); National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA); Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC); Society of Economic Geologists (SEG); Society of Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME); Society of Mining Professors (SOMP); Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)

Industry positions

  • Senior Consultant, Mineral Economics & Risk, Stantec
  • Vice President of Investments, Aberdeen International
  • President and chief executive officer, Ferro Iron Ore, Mongolia
  • President and chief executive officer, Legacy Platinum, South Africa
  • Corporate board member, Portex Minerals, Spain & Portugal
  • Precious metals equity research analyst, RBC Capital Markets 
  • Project manager, Harrison Western 
  • Mining/process engineer and operations supervisor, The Mosaic Company

Education